Nishkam TV

06/06/2026

Visibility Matters: A Young Sikh Voice on the Graduation Stage

Sharing the Valedictorian speech of Aekem Singh , one of Nishkam Media’s student storytellers, with our parents, students, mentors, and team.

Moments like this matter because visibility matters. When a young Sikh stands on a graduation stage wearing his Sikh turban and speaking with confidence, humor, humility, and pride, it becomes bigger than one student’s achievement. It becomes a moment of representation for every Sikh child who wonders whether they can be fully themselves and still be seen, respected, and celebrated.

At Nishkam TV, we teach storytelling for this reason. Not only to make films, but to help our children find their voice, carry their identity with confidence, and use their gifts for Sarbat Da Bhalla.

May every Nishkam TV student find their own crown and carry it with courage.

This fall, Aekem will begin his next chapter at Brown University

29/05/2026

With deep sorrow, Nishkam Media joins the Sangat in remembering Sardar Kuldeep Singh Ji.

His life was dedicated to Sikh seva, youth leadership, and the Chardi Kala of the Panth. As a respected member of our Board of Directors, he guided our work with wisdom, humility, and deep commitment to Sikh storytelling and future generations.

We request everyone to keep Kuldeep Singh Ji and his family in their Ardaas.

ਦੇਹੁ ਸਜਣ ਆਸੀਸੜੀਆ
ਜਿਉ ਹੋਵੈ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸਿਉ ਮੇਲੁ…

May Guru Sahib bless his soul with eternal peace and give strength to the family during this difficult time. 🙏🏽

12/05/2026

Today, Harbaldeep Singh ( ), Executive Director of Nishkam Media, had the opportunity to meet filmmaker Sharan Art (Sharandeep Singh) — one of the few directors in the Punjabi film industry who has consistently chosen courage over comfort in storytelling.

At a time when much of Punjabi cinema follows familiar formulas, Sharan Veer has built a unique body of work by taking creative risks and making films that are completely different from one another — from the emotional depth of Rabb Da Radio 2, to the warmth of Galwakdi, to the historical scale of Mastaney, and now the ambitious historical epic Guru Nanak Jahaz, based on the real story of the Komagata Maru incident.

That journey reflects a filmmaker committed to pushing the boundaries of Punjabi cinema rather than repeating what is already successful.

During the meeting, Harbaldeep Singh shared rushes from Nishkam Media’s upcoming documentary series Safar-e-Shahadat – The Journey of Martyrdom – On the Path of Chaar Sahibzaade. Hearing his positive response to both the concept and the cinematic direction we are taking was genuinely encouraging for our entire team. Coming from him means a lot.

Conversations like these are important for independent filmmakers and storytellers working to create meaningful cinema rooted in history, identity, and purpose.

Thank you, Sharan Veer, for your time, encouragement, and thoughtful insights. Nishkam Media looks forward to future collaborations and conversations around storytelling that dares to be different.

ChaarSahibzaade DocumentaryFilmmaking Mastaney GuruNanakJahaz RabbDaRadio2 Galwakdi

07/05/2026

🎬 SUMMER OF 2026 WORKSHOPS ARE STARTING SOON!

What happens when Sikh youth are given cameras, mentors, and the confidence to tell their own stories?

They create films.
They build leadership skills.
They discover their voice.
They shape the future.

Nishkam Academy’s Sikh Visual Storytelling Workshops are immersive 1-week filmmaking experiences where students ages 8–18 learn storytelling through hands-on training in:

🎥 Cinematography
🎭 Acting
✍️ Screenplay Writing
🎧 Sound
💡 Lighting
🎬 Direction
✂️ Editing

Every workshop runs from 9 AM – 5 PM during the summer months of June, July, and August. Students collaborate in teams to create meaningful stories rooted in creativity, identity, and community.

Our students have gone on to contribute to documentaries like Baywatana and Seva, with screenings at international platforms and PBS.

This is more than a workshop. It’s a space where young storytellers learn to create media with purpose.

If you would like Nishkam Academy to organize a workshop in your city, or if you are interested in enrolling your child, please email us at [email protected].

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VisualStorytelling YouthLeadership Storytelling SikhCreatives SummerWorkshop

06/05/2026

More than 320 years ago, on a cold December night, Guru Gobind Singh Ji with his family walked out of Anandpur Sahib for the last time.

That journey would lead to the martyrdom of the Chaar Sahibzaade and become one of the most powerful chapters in Sikh history.

For the past two months, we have been in India working on Safar-e-Shahadat — a 4-part historical documentary series telling the story of Anandpur Sahib, Chamkaur Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Machhiwara.

To tell this story with honesty and responsibility, we are creating more than 80 original research-based paintings and cinematic sequences inspired by Sikh history, architecture, weapons, clothing, and geography of the time.

This is not just animation or artwork. This is visual storytelling built with research, emotion, and deep respect for the legacy of the Sahibzaade.

Grateful to the passionate post-production team here in Chandigarh working day and night to bring this vision to life — Paras Mehra (Editor), Jaskirat Singh (Music), Swarn Singh (CEO, getVFX Studio & Visual Supervisor), and Ishpreet Brar (Digital Artist).

Here is the official title logo of Safar-e-Shahadat.

SikhStorytelling AnandpurSahib ChamkaurSahib FatehgarhSahib Machhiwara Khalsa PunjabiHistory

16/04/2026

We are creating Safar-e-Shahadat, a 4-part documentary that retraces the complete journey of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the Chaar Sahibzaade across historic Gurdwaras.

The series will be produced in 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡, 𝐏𝐮𝐧𝐣𝐚𝐛𝐢, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢, so this history can reach our children and Sangat across the world.

This is not just a film. It is an attempt to bring our history closer to the next generation so they can not only hear these stories, but see the places where it all happened.

With Guru Sahib’s kirpa, we wanted to share an update from the ground.

We have now visited and filmed 𝟐𝟖 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬 across Anandpur Sahib, Chamkaur Sahib, Sirhind, and Machiwara.

When you stand at these places, you don’t just hear the history—you feel it. And yet, no effort of this scale has brought all these locations together into one complete visual journey.

𝐆𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃:

𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐩𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐡𝐢𝐛
1. Gurdwara Takht Shri Keshgarh Sahib
2. Gurdwara Sri Sis Ganj Sahib
3. Gurdwara Sri Guru Ke Mahal Bhora Sahib
4. Gurdwara Sri Thara Sahib Kahmiri Pandits
5. Gurdwara Sri Janam Asthan Sahibzaade
6. Gurdwara Sri Damdama Sahib Gurgaddi
7. Gurdwara Qila Anandgarh Sahib
8. Gurdwara Qila Fatehgarh Sahib
9. Gurdwara Qila Holgarh Sahib
10. Gurdwara Qila Lohgarh Sahib
11. Gurdwara Qila Taragarh Sahib

𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐫
12. 1. Gurdwara Sri Parivar Vichora Sahib

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐤𝐚𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐡𝐢𝐛
13. Gurdwara Sri Katalgarh Sahib
14. Gurdwara Sri Garhi Sahib
15. Gurdwara Sri Damdama Sahib
16. Gurdwara Sri Taari Sahib

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚 / 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐡𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐡 𝐒𝐚𝐡𝐢𝐛 / 𝐒𝐢𝐫𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝
17. Gurdwara Chhan Baba Kuma Maski Sahib
18. Gurdwara Shri Aima Sahib, Historical
19. Gurdwara Attak Sahib, Saheri (Gangu Da House)
20. Gurdwara Sri Rath Sahib, Saheri
21. Gurdwara Sri Kotwali Sahib
22. Gurdwara Sahib Thanda Burj
23. Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib / Gurdwara Sri Bhora Sahib
24. Gurdwara Jyoti Swaroop Sahib

𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐚
25. Gurdwara Shri Bir Jand Sahib Patshahi 10th
26. Gurdwara Sri Charan Kamal Sahib
27. Gurdwara Sri Chaubara Sahib
28. Gurudwara Shri Gani Khan Nabi Khan Sahib

We cannot complete this without your support.

If this effort resonates with you, we humbly request your support:

👉 https://dvnetwork.org/projects/safar-e-shahadat-the-journey-of-martyrdom-walking-the-path-of-the-chaar-sahibzaade

Every contribution helps create something that will live beyond us, so our children can one day watch this journey… and feel inspired to walk it themselves.

🙏

A 4-part documentary retracing the journey of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the Chaar Sahibzaade across 25 historic Gurdwaras in Punjab.

19/03/2026

What does it mean to truly understand Sikh history—not just hear it, but walk through it?

This 4-part documentary retraces the final journey of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his family across Punjab—visiting the very Gurdwaras where these defining moments unfolded. From Anandpur Sahib to Chamkaur, Sirhind, and Machiwara, this is a story of separation, resilience, and sacrifice that shaped Sikh identity.

For many Sikh youth growing up in the diaspora, these stories are learned through books, kathas, and films. But standing in these places brings a different understanding—one that connects history to who we are today.

This series is an effort to bring that experience closer to the next generation.

Punjab AnandpurSahib ChamkaurSahib FatehgarhSahib Machiwara SikhHeritage SikhLegacy Documentary Storytelling Seva

04/03/2026

🙏

Iowa has become the 21st state in the US to include Sikhism in its K–12 social studies curriculum, marking a significant step toward inclusive education. The updated standards will introduce Sikh history and teachings, including in seventh-grade modern world history classes. Advocates say the move will help foster understanding, counter misrepresentation, and create safer, more informed classroom environments for students across the state.

08/02/2026

From classrooms to film sets.
From learning how to frame a shot…

to learning how to find your voice.

This is why we do what we do at Nishkam Media.

Suner Chopra, one of our students and a core member of the Baywatana team, recently gave a powerful speech on representation — reflecting on what it means to grow up rarely seeing yourself portrayed as a hero, a leader, or even as someone who belongs.

Today, Suner is studying at Smith College — carrying forward the same questions she explored through filmmaking:
Who gets seen?
Who gets heard?
And how do stories shape identity?

Her journey reminds us that representation isn’t a buzzword.
It’s a mirror.
It’s permission.
It’s possibility.

At Nishkam Media, we don’t just teach cameras and editing.

We teach young people to examine the world.
To challenge invisibility.
To tell stories that matter.

Seeing Suner grow from a student filmmaker into a thoughtful voice on culture and belonging is exactly the ripple effect we dream of — youth who leave our programs not just with skills, but with consciousness.

This is what our kids are doing with what they learn.

They’re stepping into colleges, communities, and conversations — carrying stories with them.

And that’s how change begins.

💛

SangatInAction VisualStorytelling NextGenerationVoices

26/01/2026

At a moment when communities across the U.S. are searching for voice, dignity, and understanding, Nishkam Media is taking its next step forward.

What began as a mission to empower Sikh youth through storytelling is now expanding to serve more marginalized communities, using filmmaking as a tool for expression, dialogue, and social connection. We believe storytelling is not just art—it is activism. It is how communities are seen, heard, and remembered.

We are grateful that this growing vision is being supported by the Mass Cultural Council and the Worcester Arts Council, who have awarded us a grant to host our first Worcester-based program: “The Worcester Youth Filmmaking Workshop.”

This workshop will be hosted in collaboration with The TEC Schools Think Explore Create, whose mission to nurture curiosity, moral grounding, and real-world learning deeply aligns with our own belief that education must engage the head, heart, and hands.

We are especially thankful to Rupali Sharma, Founder and Director of The T.E.C. Schools, for believing in Nishkam Media’s mission and in the promise that children hold for tomorrow. Like seeds filled with potential, when nurtured in the right environment, young people grow into thoughtful, joyful, and purpose-driven adults.

This workshop will be taught by Sikh youth mentors, bringing Sikh leadership, seva, and values into a broader civic space—while creating room for many communities to tell their own stories.

Nishkam Media is growing.

Our reach is widening.

Our purpose remains the same: to serve, to uplift, and to tell the stories that matter—when they are needed most.

Stay tuned for workshop dates...

FilmmakingForChange SikhLeadership StorytellingAsSeva WorcesterArts MassCulturalCouncil CreativeJustice NextGenerationLeaders