“We’re Indian and African” : lecture and films on the Sidis of India

Still from the film 'Voices of the Sidis: Ancestral Links' produced by Beheroze Shroff (University of California, Irvine, USA).

 “We’re Indian and African”: Sidis of India

Dr Shihan de Silva (Senior Fellow, Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Member of the Scientific Committee of the UNESCO Slave Route Project)

Date: 9 March 2012 Time: 5:30 PM
Finishes: 9 March 2012 Time: 7:30 PM

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings Room: Khalili Lecture Theatre

Type of Event: Lecture
Series: CSAS Seminar Programme

The diverse circumstances of African migration to India, their roles and achievements, their current status, issues of identity and belonging will be addressed.
The Lecture will be followed by the screening of two documentary films:

“We’re Indian and African”: Voices of the Sidis   (22 minutes)

Produced by Beheroze Shroff (University of California, Irvine, USA)
This film explores the lives of the Sidis in Gujarat. Sidi men and women speak about the challenges they face as caretakers of the shrine of their ancestral saint Bava Gor. The Sidis also discuss their sacred Goma-Dhammal dance performed for devotees and spectators. The film also gives a glimpse into the spiritual legacy of the Sidis through the Parsi devotees of Bava Gor in Bombay.

Voices of the Sidis: Ancestral Links (26 minutes)

Produced by Beheroze Shroff (University of California, Irvine, USA)
In this engaging portrait of an urban Sidi family in Bombay (Maharashtra), Babubhai traces his ancestry to Zanzibar. He also reminisces about his work as a stuntman in Bollywood films. Babubhai’s wife, Fatimaben, narrates her grandmother’s work in a Hindu royal court. Their daughter, Heena, speaks about issues of identity in contemporary India.

Discussion/Q & A Session  

Chair:  Dr David Taylor (SOAS & Institute of Commonwealth Studies
All Welcome

Organiser: Centres & Programmes Office
Contact email: centres@soas.ac.uk
Contact Tel: 020 7898 4892/3