The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Sikh Temple 1972
A coming together of a Sikh community in prayer, and in convivial mood, showing reverence and generosity as they share a meal together.
From the collection of:
Overview
This is, in all probability, film of the Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara on Malvern Street in Bradford, possibly soon after its opening on 12th March 1972. This was the first purpose built Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) in Bradford. The Gurdwara is full of men, women and children, in a relaxed atmosphere, listening to a speaker at the front in part reading from the Sikh Holy Book, the Adi Sri Guru Granth Sahib. In another room all sit down to eat the langar, the shared vegetarian meal.
This film was donated to the YFA by Bradford College, but there is no information as to who made the film, or what it was for. About half of all Indians living in Britain, including Bradford, are Sikhs. The previous Gurdwara was in an old Methodist church; the Gurdwara on Malvern Street, now much extended, is still operating along with five others in Bradford. These are open to everyone, non-Sikhs alike. Communal readings from the Adi Granth take place every morning and evening. The langar upholds the principle of equality between all people of the world regardless of religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender or social status, to eliminate extreme poverty in the world and to bring about caring communities.
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