The Legend of Fat Mama

A multiple award winning documentary by Rafeeq Ellias for BBC World, broadcast in over 200 countries, it is the story of India's tiny Chinese community in Kolkata's 'melting wok'. It is the first film ever to document the trauma of incarceration and deportation of Chinese families after the India-China war in 1962. It is also about the ties that bind: from chow mein and tandoori chicken to Bollywood music!

[@manabbose7605]

My apologies to the Chinese in Kolkata and those who migrated, as an Indian and as a Bengalee, for such insensitivity!

[@dasalekhya]

+Manab Bose I agree. I don't expect anything from Central Govt, BUT the West Bengal Govt should have apologized long ago. It is very very shameful.

[@chandrahermon2866]

Love to all those Indochina bother and sister all over the world god bless you

[@chairme2]

Excellent documentary!

[@megoesmoomoo]

Hello. Fat Mama is my paternal grandmother. My father's name is Ming. She passed away when I was very young. I'm so floored watching this documentary and it breaks my heart to not have had the opportunity to have gotten to know her better. Thank you for doing this.

[@rafeeqellias5404]

So happy to hear from you; what an amazing coincidence. My wife who lived many years in Kolkata in the late 60s and early 70s frequented her place regularly. That's how the story came to me. Your grandma is a legend indeed.

[@irobeen]

I was a regular at Fat Mama's and her two sons always waited on us while being yelled at by their mother. The sons - around my age - also kind of knew me since the cover/dance band I was in played for their Chinese New Year dances. It was a truly sad day for the city of Calcutta when Fat Mama was no more. Still, I visualize her when I pull out my wok, turn on the gas and think, 'What would Fat Mama do?' 😪

[@weichang2394]

I was getting really emotional when I saw the part about the Chinese Journal of India, the press that was co-founded by my grand father in the 30s. I'm going to Kolkata next month and I wish I could at least see that by my own eyes, thank you very much for the film.

[@Fatmamafilms]

I am emotional too. So glad my film could take your memories back to your grand dad. Such amazing people in the Chinese Indian community.

[@willsnavycut]

The gentleman at 9:44 is my dad. he passed away two years ago. Its really awesome to see him looking much healthier. I miss him dearly.

[@rafeeqellias5404]

Gosh, that was your dad? What an amazing man. He spoke with such courage and compassion. I am privileged and honoured to have known him. He told me he was not sure if I would faithfully deliver his views. I did ... every single word ... and I had the pleasure of showing him the final film at the Bengal Club in Kolkata. He was quite overwhelmed. Many thanks for writing. Do stay in touch.

[@santoshkumarappala6681]

@@rafeeqellias5404 This is a wonderful documentary. I came to know that this documentary got national award in 52nd national film awards in 2005. Thanks for letting us know about an important part of history.

[@divyarathor9992]

Heartfelt apologies to all the Chinese Indian families who were incarcerated after the 1962 Sino-Indian war! A serious mistake that our government should acknowledge. It is undeniable that as citizens of India, for generations you have made a rich contribution to our society and culture. The pain cannot be taken away, and the time cannot be returned, but I hope that abounding opportunities come your way, and you continue to flourish. If words could heal the wounds, please know that "your countrymen love and respect you". You are an integral part of India!! I hope that the new Chinese Indian generations continue to choose India as home. On the political scene and as neighboring countries, China and India with such rich traditions and ancient cultures ought to be the best allies. Thank you Rafeeq for bringing this tragic incident to light!

[@Fatmamafilms]

Thank you for responding. Your words overwhelm me. But more than that your sentiments mean a lot to every Chinese who has made india his or her home. I am going to convey these sentiments to my friends in the community. You represent the highest ideals of humanity.

[@divyarathor9992]

Thank you Rafeeq for conveying my message to the community! I admire your effort in making this outstanding documentary and its sequel. Best wishes!

[@Fatmamafilms]

Divya Rathor thank you and very best

[@Rocky-qw4kb]

Thank you for your very kind apology to the Indian Chinese who suffered during this time of which I am one. I must also thank the British who gave us passports so we could seek asylum in other countries. All Indian Chinese were made stateless.

[@Mhow-ib6kq]

​@@divyarathor9992 Sir, my hat off and salute to your well written few lines. I'm reading many comments in Toronto and watching this video. I have a few Indian-chinese friends here. And I'm not Chinese or Indian. I pray 🙏 peace and happiness for mankind ❤

[@arunlahori6898]

❤ Hare Krishna! Sad that their numbers have dwindled and a thriving town has fallen near silent. Born in 1960... 🙏 I apologize on behalf of our guilty elders. ♥ Please return. 💐

[@BoniGopalanIND]

I apologize. It was wrong and inhuman for our (your and mine) government to persecute Indian Chinese post the 1962 Indo Sino War. Transporting you as prisoners across the country and shutting you up in a prison in Rajasthan was inhuman. Many of you were second and third generation living in India. It was unforgivable. I sincerely hope such mistakes never happen in the Indian history again. I understand it is hard to forgive and forget. I will not ask you to do so. But if you do then it is the greatness of your culture.

[@Fatmamafilms]

Yes, we all have to work together to make people and governments aware and to acknowledge our mistakes. Pl spread the word.

[@indoochintey265]

Admin please make one documentary of Maakum, Chinatown of Assam.

[@puchinwaide7810]

Hello Rafeeq, I watched “Fat MaMa” again, it is as good as the first time I saw it. Looking forward to your next movie. I’m sure it will be just as good. Informative without sentimentality. Pu-Chin Waide

[@fishermann1102]

The government of India needs to issue an official apology to these Chinese and erect a memorial for those who died in camp.

[@Fatmamafilms]

Fisher Mann I certainly agree. And I hope we can do it before the generation is lost.

[@indoochintey265]

Great documentary sir. Sincere apology to all displaced Chinese Indians from assam too. It was really in human, read the same on book by Rita madam in Chinatown days.

[@swagotbharadwaz1645]

Makum book by the same author

[@youshenwey]

All innocent Indian Chinese who has been victemized should be protected by all, good thinking people.

[@prafullasharadasadanand16]

Awesome documentary. Just hope this kind of work not just increases awareness but puts a stop to such suffering the world over. Sad that this happened to my fellow citizens.

[@documentary8593]

Very interesting documentary. As a Malaysian born Chinese who migrated to Australia, I can relate to the Chinese who chose to leave India for greener pastures. Excuse me, Rafeeq, those were lion dances (2 performers, 4 legs), not dragon (many performers ... up to 20 or more .... thus multiple legs). Remember to count the legs next time you watch Chinese people performing! .... lion dance or dragon dance?

[@rafeeqellias5404]

Yes you are right, as I learnt in subsequent years. My new film coming up soon hopefully

[@mayfoo02]

This is amazing and an eye opener. I am a Malaysian of Chinese descent and it's just so fascinating to know there is a Chinatown in Kolkata. Thank you Rafeeq for documenting their lives on film.

[@N5cool]

Muslim groups in India lobby for illegal, illiterate and poor Bangladeshi immigrants to get Indian citizenship but unfortunately, the Chinese don't have any such lobby group but it's time that our selfish politicians who will go to any extent to get votes in their name, should have the basic courtesy of apologizing to these people, the people in this documentary make me think of my parents

[@Valkyri3Z]

Never heard of such lobby. However the same lobby group responsible for plight and torture of Chinese community are also responsible for plight of Muslim community in India , i.e. Hindu Brahmin community. I wonder why they treat minorities so badly !! What is in Hindu blood that makes them treat Sikhs,Christians, Muslims,Chinese , Tribals with so much hate and disgust ?

[@thechindiandiaries]

Amazing documentary! Thank you for making this.

[@wie88nen]

Excellent vid, thanks for documenting the story. As the world two oldest civilisations, we share a lot of things in common, India and China should be in good relation, sincerely hope India China friendship will flourish.

[@gohmalaysia]

Amazing documentary of the Chinese community there and their sufferings during the conflicts of the Chinese Indian war in the 60,s

[@TklenHaokip]

ayooo......luv this people....frm NE_India.

[@reezy69]

Guessing you're from Arunachal Pradesh? One blood, one love.

[@vikrumjaitly]

Stay is India. This is your country.....Indian Govt. should release an apology for concentration camps episode in Devli in Delhi despite Chinese Aggression in Galwan. Don't mix common men, women and children in this aggression. Make them feel better so that they should be boon to India and its economy

[@jollyjohn5820]

Great documentary. Jai Ho to them too that Hindustan remain in their hearts despite the sorrowful event they had encounters.

[@irobeen]

The video was fascinating to me as the places shown were regular haunts for me for decades. Well done!! However, I kept expecting there to be more about Fat Mama herself, as the title suggests. Am I missing the point? As a lifelong foodie, Fat Mama is my culinary hero when it comes to Chinese cooking and memories of her sitting at her stool ... barking out orders to her sons ... still instruct my efforts at recreating Calcutta style Chinese food to this very day. She still lives on in the memories of all who dined at her establishment and in the praises and nostalgic musings of all her many fans - Chinese and Indian! 🙂

[@tymothylim6550]

Thank you very much for this film. It was very informative of the Chinese Indian history and how it was linked with memories of nostalgic scenes and/or people.

[@jamiechan7836]

Thanks so much for making this video and spread the awareness! We deserve more understanding across the cultures.

[@Fatmamafilms]

Jamie Chan much appreciate your sentiments, please share, download and screen in schools colleges wherever you can

[@youshenwey]

Some right thinking leaders should come forward to admit that the treatment meted to the Indian Chinese civilian was totally wrong...

[@kpg734301]

I am so happy to see this video and bring back my memories. Thank you very much. I wish all my Hakka people in India live in peace.

[@Rocky-qw4kb]

It is heartening to read the apologies from the citizens of India on how the Indian Chinese were treated in 1962 and after. Many families in Kolkata and in India suffered because we were afraid that at any moment we would be arrested and taken to the concentration camps in Rajasthan. I recommend you read Doing Time with Nehru about an Indian Chinese family by Yin Marsh. It is an eye opener.

[@unknownvideo5748]

I really feel bad . War is painful. Innocent people are targeting in every war. Pray for peace and love for humanity.

[@arvinduan6131]

These people are really localized in many ways, the way they speak, really Indian style~hahaha

[@ounnipillai3289]

I remember meeting a Chinese man in Delhi. He spoke Hindi and his ways were very Indian. he had a strong Indian accent when he spoke English.

[@divyanandvalsan5580]

Great documentary..I didn't know about this atrocity. As an Indian,my sincere apologies to Chinese origin Indians. You people are as much Indians as us and hope you never have to live through anything like that again

[@rafeeqellias5404]

Many thanks for your feedback on my film. I wish more people felt like you and me about our fellow countrymen. This is sadly a lost cause, increasingly because most of the internees are too old or have passed away. Do see this follow up film when you have time Beyond Barbed Wires: A Distant Dawn vimeo.com/149116237

[@Frenwa1]

Yes it is appalling what was done to the Chinese with the war

[@Fatmamafilms]

Freny, if you have the time do watch ‘Beyond Barbed Wires’ on KZbin or Vimeo, take care

[@myconoclast]

Thank you for the amazing documentary. Tangra during the 62 war is the topic of my dissertation. This will be an invaluable resource. Thanks again

[@rudraganguly5414]

Brilliant Documentary from Rafeeq Ellias

[@sayanisoh]

Thank you for sharing this ! Didn’t know about this history. Does something like Chinatown still exist in now Kolkatta?

[@AmitKumar-fb6yt]

Lots of love for our Chinese community in India..

[@TheAjstyle65]

There is a deep underlinage of cultural diversity and intolerance towards it,doesn't matter as much what the erstwhile political leaders and government did but besides the interminent of Indian Chinese people, the Indian people responded with hostility and intolerance to the very people they were living with for quite a few hundred years and that's just disappointing cause the resentment upto the incarnal hatred still runs down in the modern day Indian society of various backgrounds.

[@rafeeqellias5404]

Trailer of my new film vimeo.com/121596686

[@Sumeet.03]

Amazing documentary, really interesting and informative.

[@ronpinkiepardiwala863]

Very well done Rafeeq. Originally we were born & had our education in private schools & now we are settled in Salt Spring Island British Columbia Canada. My whole family are doing pretty well out here. Good luck & all the best

[@terencekevin1]

I remember my grandmother ( fatty mama ) ..... use me n my bro n sis to feed us went I was 5 or 6 yrs old ...

[@rafeeqellias5404]

That’s a sweet memory, would you have any pictures of her???

[@somavapaul2054]

Thank you for uploading such an excellent and informative video 🙏

[@Fatmamafilms]

Thanks for watching, do share if you can, best wishes

[@kingdrragonslayer1]

I heard that one of her twin sons passed away a long time back, wonder if the other is still alive.

[@kingdrragonslayer1]

They used to help her run that place.

[@honjorwang3339]

致敬海外华人，希望有机会可以来中国游玩

[@gratefullydeadful]

Aloha! I'm Chinese-American from Hawaii. I went to Kolkata in 2003 but never knew of this community. Very cool video!

[@Fatmamafilms]

j d come again but soon. The number of chinese-Indians keeps dwindling. Sadly.

[@gratefullydeadful]

Rafeeq Ellias Sad that everywhere the Chinese go they are discriminated against. I'm 3rd generation American but treated like a foreigner by racist whites, blacks and hispanics. Seems like everyone hates the Chinese.

[@whateverw7173]

@@gratefullydeadful They are just jealous.

[@etloo1971]

@@gratefullydeadful I have friends who are Chinese-Indonesians. They are treated as 3rd class citizens even they are 7th generation. Initially Chinese were respected in Indonesia during Ming Dynasty. The Dutch pitted the native Indonesian against ethnic Chinese. Things got worse under CIA backed Suharto regime massacred half million Chinese in 1965 coup backed by Islamic extremists. After 1950 ethic Chinese overseas were accused of being Communist agents.

[@jedmitter]

Great Documentary!!!!

[@terenceliao3475]

I still stay in that Chinatown of Kolkata but unfortunately there is nothing left to be called as Chinatown , I really miss my childhood, specially during the Chinese New year , we get excited 2-3 months the Chinese New year, preparing the dragons, it was just so amazing , wish those days continued forever ..thanks rafeeq

[@postcardsfromj]

I just started reading The Deoliwallahs and came across a mention of this documentary. It's heartbreaking that Chinese Indians were treated so terribly under the guise of war and national interest. Interestingly, I visited Tangra many years ago because someone highly recommended the food at Beijing Restaurant. Never really explored the place or learnt more about it. This was an insightful glimpse and I hope to return someday and truly take it all in.

[@MrNAND781]

I'm sorry for any insensitivity that people in Deoli camp may had. But if I compare the economic condition of that time it was not really bad too. I still consider all Indian Chinese as asset to India.

[@ngchengcheong]

The Chinese in Calcutta are mostly descentants from Hakka (Xing Ning County). Most of them were trading in leather goods or leather tanners. And they moved on to Mauritus and further to Cape Town during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Why did they move? Interesting... maybe part of TaiPing revolution!

[@leekenghui5343]

I think it is LION DANCE and not Dragon Dance in the video. Thanks.

[@yoice.]

感谢上传这段纪录片，带我们了解在印华人的生活不易

[@Fatmamafilms]

Thank you for watching and commenting. They are very very close to my heart. If you have time do watch Beyond Barbed Wires also,

[@Fatmamafilms]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3ecgnl_qdxobM0si=tolFuu4QaqXh-RPa

[@z.h.ong61]

amazing work Rafeeq!

[@jeevsoodcal]

Legendary Calcutta........I love it!!

[@iamandachen8]

This is great! :D

[@sidhuthecr]

I am overwhelmed ! Thanks a lot for this video.

[@Fatmamafilms]

Many thanks...

[@OrganicFaithFactory]

Wrong country to move to!

[@rudraganguly5414]

Uh okay, well depends on where you are from.

[@curtisgregory517]

In case of war, it is understandable and necessary to immediately take extreme measures when a country is being attacked to eliminate any danger of citizens or any person within the country that have ties to the enemy may be spies or just sympathetic to the enemy,,, so it is most likely best to detain them until the conflict/war is over. Other wise you may loose the battle and the war. However, when the war is over it is correct to apologize and properly resettle the people that were detained + pay fair and reasonable damages for their losses. Myself having lived in numerous countries as a foreigner or outsider,,, I know that I would be a questionable person as to where are my loyalties, and rightfully could considered a danger to the war effort. So, the country has four difficult choices: 1. send me home,,, then I am angry and would probably join forces against them. 2. leave me alone,,, who knows what I might do? 3. put me "on-ice" (detention) until the conflict is over,,, is probably the best choice for everyone involved. 4. or,,, very carefully use me to be a translator or something to help defeat the enemy.

[@iqbalashraf9432]

My all sympathies to Indian Chinese brothers and sisters. Can imagine the trauma and agony they gone through. Also try to make point whether ever China make any regret what he has done. In one side saying Hindi-Chini bhai bhai in other side stabed from back. Just ignoring international boundary line crossed Indian Territory and started war. Thousands of Indians soldiers were killed and occupied as POWs. Do these soldiers have not families. Ask 1st china to Apologize.....

[@hectorlee5723]

Fat Mama was my fovourite joint where I longed to go eat her tasty food when I was studying in Calcutta Bible College, I really miss those golden good days, Chinese people are really good people, hard working, and very enterprising people, I love them,I am not chinese but I'm an AngloIndian, God bless these wonderful people.

[@arjya1987]

Came here from the instagram post of Bakarmax. I am glad i did. This is a beautiful documentary film

[@Fatmamafilms]

Thank you, thank you