The first Aditi Institute event of 2023 was held on Wednesday, January 19th with the screening of the film ‘Taang,’ in the presence of the director, Bani Singh and the editor, Sushma Veerapa. This was followed by a Q & A session moderated by Dr. Pranav Kohli (PhD in Anthropology). The event was attended by the students of 11 ISC and 11 AICE.

Here is a review written by Maya of Std. 11 AICE.

The film presents a powerful, inspiring narrative that was conveyed through all the firsthand footage, and speaks of how each of our pasts are interwoven with our current experiences. As a generation that is maturing with a growing sports culture, Taang contains an important story and message, and the meaning of the word Taang (or ‘longing’), can only truly be understood after watching the film. The innovation behind the idea of the film, and the manner in which Bani Singh brought it together, allowed us to experience the danger and risk that a sporting life at that time posed – as well as understand the grit, passion and companionship that still hold these hockey players together. 

The victories of the 1948 and 1952 hockey teams are rarely mentioned in the context of Indian sport, let alone the conditions in which they were won. As director and videographer, Bani Singh, found that journeys and fond memories from then are often buried by the pain and brutalness of the Partition – even within our own families. Through the eyes of Bani – who is also the daughter of the hockey player Grahanandan Singh – we were able to vividly experience the bond that a sport creates, and how the Partition is an event that connects us all.