Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was a 15th-century teacher, poet and activist whose message of justice and equality for all, women’s empowerment, service to others and devotion to nature and the environment was ahead of his time. However, his story is virtually unknown to much of the Western world.
Now, the documentary Guru Nanak: The Founder of Sikhism – Life and Legacy sheds light on his incredible life.
Filmed on location in India, Pakistan and throughout the U.S., Guru Nanak: The Founder of Sikhism – Life and Legacy not only follows the life of Guru Nanak, but explores how his spiritual legacy continues to influence Sikhism’s approximately 30 million followers – including prominent American Sikh men and women.
Some of these men and women include Mayor Ravi Bhalla of Hoboken, N.J., and Grammy Award nominee Snatam Kaur, who, along with others, share their insights and experiences in the film.
When to Watch
The program airs on CPTV on Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.
More About the Program
Ravi Bhalla (pictured, far right), mayor of Hoboken, N.J., and a practicing Sikh, is interviewed in Guru Nanak: The Founder of Sikhism – Life and Legacy. (Photo credit: Auteur Productions, Ltd.)
Guru Nanak: The Founder of Sikhism – Life and Legacy is produced by Auteur Productions, Ltd. Connecticut Public Television is the presenting station for the film. It is distributed nationally by American Public Television.
The film was screened at the 2019 Awareness Film Festival in Los Angeles, where director Gerald Krell received the Special Jury Award for Best Director. The film was also presented by the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., where the audience included members of the national and international press. The film had its New York City premiere at the prestigious Paley Center for Media. It was also selected for the International Film Festival for Spirituality, Religion, and Visionary in Jakarta, Indonesia, where it won the International Award of Excellence.
“As filmmakers, my producing partner and son Adam Krell and myself were privileged to make this documentary,” said Gerald Krell. “In today’s world of stereotypes, nationalism, bullying and misconceptions, Guru Nanak’s message is relevant to people of all religions and ethnicities.”