India’s Forgotten People

Airs on Deutsche Welle, Maori TV & Discovery South-East Asia

From respected forgers of armour and weaponry for Hindu kings in the 16^th century to nomadic blacksmiths who barely survive, the history of India’s proud but forgotten Gadia Lohar community is told for the first time in Deana Uppal’s new 2020 documentary; India’s Forgotten People. The film provides a voice for a community that went from being highly respected to one of the country’s most poverty-stricken, selling handmade items from metal scraps and living on the margins of Indian society.

UK-born actress, former Miss India UK and filmmaker, Uppal witnessed the lifestyle of the nomadic communities whilst living in India and explores the Gadia Lohars, who rarely mix with others outside of their community. She immerses herself, listening and observing how they live; speaking to other Indians about their perceptions of these nomads, and interviewing government officials about how to help.

Ordinary traders and workers were quick to dismiss the Gadia Lohars as “not nice people” who pester tourists, and while Uppal herself admits to initially being nervous about visiting. But, she soon found a community caught between powerful historical origins and an inability to fit into a modern-day society where technology has overtaken their livelihood – but whose sense of pride and tradition does not allow them to modernise.

As part of her sympathetic investigation into this community, Uppal visited various families; joining one as they sold items by the side of the road; spoke to children and also attended a Gadia Lohar wedding. Deana interviews a Minister of Water who promises to arrange a water supply for one settlement, but subsequently stopped returning calls when she follows up. Deana spoke to a police chief who views the Gadia Lohars as a law-abiding community – not the criminals so many perceive them as. Uppal discovers that Gadia Lohar women do very strenuous labour work, making iron products. Although unusual, in the Gadia Lohar community both sexes do the same work no matter how strenuous, proving their modernity in some areas, as female voices are equally important in decision making.

Despite government pledges of help, the Gadia Lohars integration into modern India is problematic, with most not having Identification cards, meaning little or no education; impoverished living conditions and few chances to develop. As one Gadia Lohar man explained:” We live in dust, we eat dust…dust is our destiny.”

This investigative film looks at the divide between rich and poor in India, and tells the true story of the Gadia Lohars for the first time.