Tarlochan Singh

Daleel with SP Singh on Mela Gadri Babeyan Da - Shrinking Left & Revolution's derailed project

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• published: 03 Nov 2016
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On the panel: 1. Tarlochan Singh Associated with Mela Gadri Babiyan Da 2. Hamir Singh Activist, Journalist 3. Sumail Singh Sidhu Academician-Researcher-Historian 4. Sushil Dosanj Editor, Hun literary magazine No one can question the egalitarian spirit of this Mela Gadri Babeyan Da annual event, revolutionary in every aspect. Yet, everyone in this episode of DALEEL sharply criticised virtually every aspect of the mela. Ironically, the sharpest of the criticism comes from scholars most sympathizer to the mela! While Sushil Dosanj, editor of one of the foremost Punjabi literary journals, Hun, put up a spirited defence of the Gadri Mela and its organizers, academic-historian Sumail Singh Sidhu slammed it for its "Stalinist discipline" and sharply rebuked the Left forces for "controlled expression of diversity." Interestingly, all the panelists, including Master Tarlochan Singh, who has been associated with the Mela and Punjab Pulse Manch, and journalist-activist Hamir Singh, were people who have been strong admirers of Mela Gadri Babiyan Da, an annual conclave held at the Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Hall, Jalandhar. Smarting under the no-holds-barred questioning, Sushil Dosanj, who measures his words carefully and defended the "discipline" of the mela and the hardwork of its organisers, did concede that the mela needs some freshness and innovative approaches. "If Amolak Singh (convenor of the mela) is the only one writing Jhande Da Geet (Song of the Flag) every year, and has been doing so for 25 years, what new thing can he bring in?" Dosanj said. Master Tarlochan Singh, who has spent close to three decades in activist theatre and is closely associated with the mela as well as with the Taraksheel movement in Punjab, conceded that such progressive melas have fallen into a comfort zone trap. Journalist Hamir Singh said Mela Gadri Babiyan Da is becoming tiresome because the foundational political idelogogical questions have not been resolved. "The Left has been running away from a debate on the Left and the fact that the Mela is stagnant is a natural outcome of this refusal to debate and introspect," he said. Mela Gadri Babiyan Da, which marked its Silver Jubilee with the latest edition that came to a close in the wee hours of today, has been highly hailed for its progressive, pro-poor, pro-farming, pro-adivasi approach. "We all appreciate the cultural melting pot that the Mela Gadri Babeyan Da is, but nothing can be above an informed critique. The organizers need to realize that this is the kind of debate that should happen at the mela. And they need to introspect why people from the city where it is being held have remained aloof from it for 25 long years!" Sumail Singh Sidhu said. This episode of Daleel was first telecast on November 2, 2016. Feedback, suggestions welcome at singh.india@gmail.com. Also, please help spread the word about DALEEL, an effort at cerebral television in times of dumbing down of the news media. Thank you for watching. DALEEL WITH SP SINGH is now telecast every Wednesday at 7 pm on PTC News. Please check listings for repeat telecast as TV channels often change schedules without notice. So, check out the time, and since it may still change, do not bet your money on it. http://www.ptcnews.tv/ http://www.facebook.com/ptcnewsindia PTC News , Punjabi News,Punjab Latest News,Latest News from Punjab,Punjab News Headlines,Top News from Punjab