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Guiana, now named Guyana, was developed by the Dutch as a centre for sugar production, using African slaves. In 1803 it became a British colony. When the emancipation of slaves was completed in 1838, many of the former slaves refused to continue cutting and processing sugar cane. This led to a labour shortage.
One of the less known aspects of the British Empire is how thousands of indentured labourers were transported from India to Guiana, Mauritius, Fiji, South Africa and Trinidad. This migration was organised by the UK Government as an emergency measure following the shortage of labour on plantations which occurred after the emancipation of slaves in 1838.
These workers were effectively slaves. They had to put up with appalling conditions and many died in transit.
By far the largest number were taken to British Guiana, on the North-East coast of South America. Their descendants are now the majority population of this country.
This story was told in 2003 in the excellent documentary 'Coolies', directed by Deep Seghal and presented by David Dabydeen and shown on BBC2.
'Guiana 1838' is another attempt to tell this story - this time in the format of a Bollywood movie. The film is currently under production and so is at present an unknown quantity.
Cuttings
Guiana 1838
In what will be a surprise to many Indians, the silver screen has captured the story of almost a million Indians who were forced into indentured labour by the British. (Redcliff.com, Oct? 2004)
Self-distributed "Guiana 1838" Shatters BOT Record
Releases ranging from well-known specialty titles from the mini-majors to self-distributed films playing at one location dominated the indie box office over the weekend, with debut films filling the top 10 places on the iW: BOT, as ranked on a per screen basis, for the first time in recent memory. Director Rohit Jagessar's self-distributed "Guiana 1838" invaded the list in the number one position with the highest per screen average recorded since this column began nearly a year-and-a-half ago, after opening in one Queens, NY cinema, while Focus Features' "The Motorcycle Diaries" raced into second place also with a stratospheric per screen average. "Diaries" also outperformed previous debut record holders for 2004, including "The Dreamers," "The Passion of the Christ" and "Fahrenheit 9/11," but other weekend openers fared more modestly.
Historic docu-drama "Guiana 1838," which gives an account of Indians who emigrated to British Guiana as indentured servants, sold out virtually every screening at the 660-seat UA Crossbay Theater I in Queens over the weekend, easily handing the film the top position for the week, and an iW: BOT per screen record-breaking $70,910. (Indiewire, 27? Sep 2004)
Guiana 1838
The film will be set to release by September 24, 2004 for a weekend long premier of thirteen exclusive shows in Queens, NY.
For more details about the film's premiere weekend and other information regarding the film please check
out the official homepage at: www. rbcradio.com/ guiana1838.html (News release, 5 Aug 2004)
Gaurav barely escapes cane crushing
Movie star Kumar Gaurav, now filming "Guiana 1838" in Berbice, nearly got himself into a pickle while performing a stunt. (Stabroek News, 16 Apr 2004)
Bollywood film wants 150 extras
The feature film "Guiana 1838" which will be continuing its production soon in Guyana will see 150 Guyanese as extras. The movie will focus on the abolition of slavery and the arrival of Indians in Guyana during the 19th century. (Stabroek News, 10 Mar 2004)
Jagessar film spotlights Guiana in 1838
Guiana 1838, a feature film on the abolition of slavery and the arrival of Indians in Guyana during the nineteenth century, will be continuing its production in Guyana. (Stabroek News, 5 Mar 2004)
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