Tamas (1988)

Unfolding in the mid to late 80s, "Tamas" (translating to "Darkness" in English) is a poignant TV miniseries that reverberates through time, shedding light on the haunting reality of the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. This landmark 297-minute epic, brought to life from the pages of Brisham Sahni's book, dives into the turbulent waters of history, capturing the birth of India, East (now Bangladesh), and West Pakistan (now Pakistan) and the heart-wrenching displacement it brought. As history started to fade into oblivion, "Tamas" emerged, a beacon intent on preserving the memory of this monumental event, which shook the very foundations of the subcontinent and its people. It presents a vivid tableau of the Sikh and Hindu families' trials from the Indian Punjabi perspective, their homes lost in what is now West Pakistan. Simultaneously, it paints the Muslim narrative in striking strokes, highlighting their struggles and eventual dominance in West Punjab, the heart of Pakistan today. The series plunges into the "Darkness" of religious intolerance and civil war, illuminating the lives of two families, one Sikh and the other Hindu, who became refugees in their own land. These victims of animosity, along with their Muslim brethren, had once shared a bond of brotherhood, co-existing in harmony for over a millennium across the Indian subcontinent. However, the dawn of "modern freedom" in 1947 cast a long shadow, fracturing this unity and dividing the land into Muslim and Hindu republics. The series poignantly depicts the exodus of non-Muslim religious groups (Sikhs, Christians, and a significant number of Muslims) to the newly formed India, while Pakistan became a predominantly Muslim country. "Tamas" is more than just a miniseries; it's a stirring chronicle of a historical tragedy that has now found a home at Indian Film Festivals, reminding us of a time when unity gave way to division and brotherhood was eclipsed by hate.

Tamas is a drama show featuring Bhisham Sahni.

It is possible to buy Tamas on Amazon Video, Apple iTunes, Google Play Movies and Vudu.