Khadoor Sahib, Punjab (May 17, 2013): According to a press release by PRO Nishan-e-Sikhi: “after dedicating many documentaries to society disseminating positive messages before it, the international award winning film maker Meera Dewan now came with her new production piece “Gur Prasad; The Grace of Food”, an interesting and introductory documentary of 58 minutes on India’s tradition of food sharing (called ‘Langer’ in Sikh tradition) basically made for Film division of ministry of information and broadcasting, Government of India”.
She visited historical and sacred place Khadur Sahib to present its first copy to Baba Baldev Singh, representative of Kaar Sewa Khadur Sahib.
“Film making is my passion and activism. My first documentary “Gift of Love” represents this. It is an anty-dowry film that won 11 international awards at leading film festivals worldwide”, said Meera Dewan while talking with media persons.
She told regarding the newly launched documentary, “At a time of India’s widespread hunger and a nutritional crisis, the film recalls a rich living tradition of food sharing as widely practiced at “Langars” or community kitchens by the Sikh community.”
She wholeheartedly appreciated “Langar” arrangements at “Mata Kheevi Langar” run under Baba Sewa Singh Kaar Sewa Wale, a noted environmentalist and religious preacher.
When asked about her carrier as documentary film maker, she said, “After graduation and 6 years experience with advertising films in Bombay, I moved to documentary film making in 1982.”
It is notable that Meera has produced over 30 documentaries for “Doordarshan” and various ministries of Govt. of India – Ministry of Information and broadcasting, ministry of Social Welfare, Ministry of Rural Development, Department of Women and Child Development, as well as state governments.
As a film director of Southview Production, she collaborates with TV stations around the world, to produce films on human rights and themes of alternate visions, particularly around issues relating to Indian women and the women’s movement.
Her films have won over 21 international and national awards, including at the International Film Festival of India; Festival de films du femmes, France; Oberhausen Film Festival; Leipzig Film Festival; Reina Film Festival, France; Okomedia Film Festival and the Mumbai International Film Festival.