The Komagata Maru Project
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Over the week of Jan 4-10, we gathered a group of artists to start the development process examining the story of the Komagata Maru. In 1914, a group of 376 Indians led by Gurdit Singh, set out to immigrate to Canada challenging Canadian Immigration policies and the myth of equality within the British Empire. Ravi Jain (Why Not Theatre) and Jatinder Verma (Tara Arts) are discussing and planning on creating a play for 2014, honouring the 100 year anniversary and struggling with the questions of identity highlighted by this important event in our history.

Thank you to Ali Kazimi for making the documentary film, Continuous Journey, which inspired me and has changed my life.

Artists involed in this workshop:

Pamela Sinha, Anand Rajaram, Anusree Roy, Anita Majumdar, Neha Ross, Amir Amiri, Sharada Eswar, Saniya Ansari, Ravi Jain, Jatinder Verma, Claudia Mayer

Many Thanks to the people who supported this workshop:

Artists involved in initial exploration:

• Yvette Nolan – Native Earth
• Iris Turscott- Factory Theatre
• Ross Manson- Volcano Theatre
• Nina Lee Aquino- Cahoots Theatre Projects
• Natasha Mytnowych- Canadian Stage Company
• Naomi Campbell- Nightswimming
• Franco Boni- Theatre Centre
• Ken Cameron- Magnetic North Festival
• Andrea Romaldi- Tarragon Theatre
• Daniel Brooks- Necessary Angel
• John Mighton- Independent Playwright
• Anurag Jain- My brother
• Rupal Shah

Thank you. We’ve begun an exciting and important journey. Thank you for coming along with us.