When Eyes Speak South Asian Choreography Festival
Ghadar Geet: Blood and Ink
May 12-14, 2023
Dance Mission Theater

What made Bhagwan Singh a radical? How did he end up in the United States? This piece explores the conditions in Punjab that prompted Bhagwan Singh Gyanee and others to dream of independence.

Wanted dead or alive by the British imperial government, Gyanee fled from India. He evaded capture several times during his journeys through Asia and North America.

Facing racism on two fronts–at home in India and in North America–the Ghadar Party strategized to mobilize citizens of Hindustan (the name for much of South Asia at that time).
What is the legacy of colonialism and how do we experience it today in the United States as "minorities" or people in the "margins?" This section calls on South Asians today to rise up, to look beyond material wealth, to reject the model minority myth and work towards liberation of all people.

The dance mixes Joti's Bhangra and West African dance training — a creative vocabulary. The Ghadar movement was about alignment and unity with other colonized countries fighting a common cause. Internally, the movement sought to unite Sikhs, Muslims, and Hindus, as well as economic classes.

Gyanee was forced to run from place to place, away from British counter-intelligence, and change his name and identity several times. The dancers embody this struggle: changing rhythms, tempos, dance styles. The music recontextualizes a traditionally joyful Bhangra rhythm to bring forth feelings of urgency, militancy, revolutionary movement.

The lyrics describe how the European powers are going all over the world trying to take
over other countries. Indians are characterized as brave soldiers put on the front lines by the British, who stay in the background devising schemes and looting India of all its riches. Gyanee’s poet name was Pritam, and at the end of this poem he tells all the brave Indians to rise up against the British and that he will be there with them.

We all have different parts to play in the revolution. In this section, with an original song composed by Ishmeet Narula, we pay homage to the women, to Singh's great-grandmother, who stayed back in India to take care of the home and family. She was often harassed by British counter-intelligence who wanted to know the whereabouts of her husband.

Long Live the Revolution. This section was choreographed by Joti Singh and dancers Angel Adedokun, Stephanie Chen, Jessica Pfisterer. The lyrics were written by Singh, and a few lines are direct translations of Gyanee's poetry. The costumes in this piece were designed and printed by Joanna Ruckman.

While India gained independence in 1947, Gyanee was not able to secure a passport to return until 1958. In that year, one of the most popular songs was "Chin O Arab Hamara," a satirical song with lyrics written by celebrated poet Sahir Ludhianvi. The song paints a picture of an India struggling with the paradox of perceived greatness and optimism post-independence and the realities of poverty and inequality.

Where is it? Does it still exist? What would our Freedom Fighters think of what has become of the world today?

The closing song comes from Gyanee's poem of the same name, and is composed by Ishmeet Narula. It is a call to action that we hope will stay with you well after the show.

Rough translation of some of the lyrics:
Everybody is restless and in trouble
Why don’t you wake up?

Your clothes are torn, body is weak
Why don’t you have courage and strength?

The whole world is calling us thieves
Why aren’t your children (Indians) living comfortably?

You’re not left with any of that beauty that you used to have
Not the honor and nice appearance you had
Why don’t you have that anymore?

Get up brave lions!