Behzti (dishonour) by Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti - reviewed

Neutral Singh · #1 (**permalink**) 14-Dec-2004, 12:06 PM

http://www.asiansinmedia.org/news/ar...hp/theatre/735
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-news/1227-behzti-dishonour-gurpreet-kaur-bhatti-reviewed.html
Behzti (dishonour) by Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti - reviewed
AsiansinMedia.org, UK - 4 hours ago

... Gurpreets new play is set in a Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) and explores a number of themes with a variety of interesting characters. ...
*

Singhstah · #2 (**permalink**) 14-Dec-2004, 22:55 PM

theres a protest happening in birmingham agaist this play, i cant go cause its too far away and i have school,that woman is a traitor.

singhaj · #3 (**permalink**) 21-Dec-2004, 01:31 AM

Has anyone seen this play ---
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=1227
what is so big deal ... ?

I just read bbc.com regarding a protest and there was a little summary regarding why there was a protest ?, just wanted to get little bit more details to what was so offensive.....

aj

drkhalsa · #4 (**permalink**) 21-Dec-2004, 20:01 PM

THE CONTROVERSY :: Behzti (dishonour) A play by Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti

As you all know from the recent Media Coverage
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=1227

Here are the video clips/articles from the news

http://www.sikhifm.com/bezti_campaign.htm

m.riyat · #5 (**permalink**) 21-Dec-2004, 20:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singhaj

Has anyone seen this play ---
what is so big deal ... ?

I just read bbc.com regarding a protest and there was a little summary regarding why there was a protest ?, just wanted to get little bit more details to what was so offensive.....

aj

The offencive part as I understand, and agree with, is that the sacred holy symbols and Gurdwara is used in a blasphemous manner. Religion is a personal and sacred belief and should be respected, wheather one is a Sikh, Christian, or even a Non believer. Peaceful protests for several days did not achieve the very modest demands, which were to remove the Holy symbols and Gurdwara from the play. The Christian Church supported these demands and we should be greatful for that. If we do not take a stand on issues like this, then the next play would go further and who knows where it would end. Democracy and freedom of speech does not mean that Gurpreet should be silenced or that Religion can be rediculed. A happy compromise should be found that does not offend ANY Religion and also enable writers like Gurdeep to express their talents.

JagD · #6 (**permalink**) 22-Dec-2004, 03:13 AM

Shame on you Gurpreet, shame on you!
The western media are jumping on the bandwagon and they will promote such trashy play's under the guise of freedom of speech. The BBC itself banned a play back in the 1980's because the BBC said it was too pro-Thatcher, where was freedom of expression then?

Prabhjot Mahal · #7 (**permalink**) 23-Dec-2004, 01:58 AM

Waheguru ji ka khalsa Waheguru ji ka fateh!

I agree with JagD's Point of view.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=1227
It is even more shameful that a Sikh itself wrote the play and included the gurudwara.

Preeti

CaramelChocolate · #8 (**permalink**) 23-Dec-2004, 04:41 AM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/S...377981,00.html

After reading that particular portion of the play's script I do not think her intentions were to insult Sikhism anyway. She is clearly not devout and does not realise the divinity of Gurbani and that it should not be heard whilst scenes of rape are going on.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=1227
I think all she wanted to do was make a good English style play with an Indian twist, I do not think there was intentions to hurt people but she should have looked at the fact she was putting religion in her play which has always been a sensitive issue in society, which she was probably being ignorant about.

Tejwant Singh · #9 (**permalink**) 24-Dec-2004, 04:31 AM

It is sad to see some parochial minded people who see things through their own myopic vision rather than from a '360 degree wide and zoom lenses' of Gurbani, to act in such an ANTI GURMAT manner.

Lets ask the following questions to ourselves:-

1. Has any Sikh of any prominence raped a person?

2. Has any Sikh become a thief or a robber?

3. Has any Sikh stolen anything from anyone?

4. Has any Sikh commited adultry?

5. Does any Sikh make a mistake?

If the answers to all the above and many other questions is 'NO', then our name SIKH is a misnomer because, as we do not make a mistake, we we can not call oursleves SIKHS.

If the above is 'YES' which undoubtedly it is, then we should commend Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti for having the sikhi strength, courage, bravura and the SIKHI WISDOM to expose the dark side of any soceity and use it in a way so, all can have an open disucussion and look within as true Sikhs, hence find the ways to combat the ills which infest all soceites, religions and faiths.

We should thank Gurpreet ji for showing us the ugly naked side of ourselves and have the GURMAT COURAGE to openly discuss it in the Gurdwaras and rather than drawing plans for building huge 'WHITE ELEPHANTS', we should open clinics in every gurdwara that can treat the ones who suffer from any kind of addiction which is harmful to self. Only by confronting the truth collectively (as we do not want to face it on our own), can we feel proud of being Learners, Seekers and carry the true meaning of SIKH as a stripe on the shoulder of a Sant Sipahi rather than a chip.

My .02 cents

Tejwant

Quote:

<<<http://www.asiansinmedia.org/news/ar...hp/theatre/747

Foreword to the play Behzti, by Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti
20th December, 2004

by Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti
Playwright and actress

Truth is everything in Sikhism, the truth of action, the truth of an individual, God's truth. The heritage of the Sikh people is one of courage and victory over adversity. Our leaders were brave revolutionaries with the finest minds, warriors who propagated values of egalitarianism and selflessness.

But sometimes I feel imprisoned by the mythology of the Sikh diaspora. We are apparently a living, breathing success story, breeding affluence through hard work and aspiration. There is certainly much to be proud of and our achievements and struggles have been extraordinary. They are a testament to our remarkable community - energetic, focussed and able. But where there are winners there must be losers. And loss.

I find myself drawn to that which is beneath the surface of triumph. All that is anonymous and quiet, raging, despairing, human, inhumane, absurd and comical. To this and to those who are not beacons of multiculturalism, who live with fear and without hope and who thrive through their own versions of anti-social behaviour. I believe it is necessary for any community to keep evaluating its progress, to connect with its pain and to its past. And thus to cultivate a sense of humility and empathy; something much needed in our angry, dog eat dog times.

Clearly the fallibility of human nature means that the simple Sikh principles of equality, compassion and modesty are sometimes discarded in favour of outward appearance, wealth and the quest for power. I feel that distortion in practice must be confronted and our great ideals must be restored. Moreover, only by challenging fixed ideas of correct and incorrect behaviour can institutionalised hypocrisy be broken down.

Often, those who err from the norm are condemned and marginalized, regardless of right or wrong, so that the community will survive. However, such survival is only for the fittest, and the weak are sometimes seen as unfortunates whose kismet is bad. Much store is set by ritual rooted in religion - though people's preoccupation with the external and not the internal often renders these rituals meaningless.

My play reflects these concerns. I believe that drama should be provocative and relevant. I wrote BEHZTI because I passionately oppose injustice and hypocrisy. And because writing drama allows me to create characters, stories, a world in which I, as an artist, can play and entertain and generate debate.

The writers who I admire are courageous. They present their truths and dare to take risks whilst living with their fears. They tell us life is ferocious and terrifying, that we are imperfect and only when we embrace our imperfections honestly, can we have hope.

In order for a story to be truly universal I think it is important to start with what is specific. Though the play is set in a Gurdwara, its themes are not confined to Sikhism, and it is my intention that a person of any faith, or indeed of no faith, could relate to its subject matter.

Over the years there have been many robust dramas about world religions. Sikhism is a relatively new entrant to this arena and I am aware of the sensitivity around such discussion.

The human spirit endures through the magic of storytelling. So let me tell you a story.

Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti
December 2004>>>