AI Generated Summary
- In a press release, the lodge emphasized that the mural project aims not just to beautify the neighborhood but to “foster community pride and spark interest in North Portland’s rich and diverse history for generations to come.
- In a powerful blend of art, history, and community spirit, members of the Punjabi diaspora in North Portland are spearheading a new initiative to honor a pivotal chapter in global revolutionary history.
- The Peninsula Odd Fellows Lodge has announced plans to feature Sohan Singh Bhakna, the founder of the Ghadar movement, in a massive community mural—and as the subject of an upcoming documentary.
In a powerful blend of art, history, and community spirit, members of the Punjabi diaspora in North Portland are spearheading a new initiative to honor a pivotal chapter in global revolutionary history. The Peninsula Odd Fellows Lodge has announced plans to feature Sohan Singh Bhakna, the founder of the Ghadar movement, in a massive community mural—and as the subject of an upcoming documentary.
This cultural project, set to begin on July 26, will see local volunteers, students, and artists come together to paint a striking 35-by-83-foot mural celebrating the diverse figures who have helped shape North Portland’s rich legacy. The mural will debut during the First Annual Unity in the Community celebration, where Oregon Public Broadcasting will also be filming footage for a documentary focused on the Ghadar movement and its founding leader.
Sohan Singh Bhakna, who played a central role in launching the anti-colonial Ghadar movement in the early 20th century, will be featured among other historic community leaders. His inclusion highlights the lasting impact of South Asian immigrants in the region, particularly following an incident in which anti-immigrant mobs targeted Punjabi laborers in the St. Johns neighborhood—an event that galvanized Bhakna’s activism.
Other historical figures to be commemorated in the mural include Dr. DeNorval Unthank (Oregon’s first Black physician), William Killingsworth (a pioneer in North Portland urban development), Hattie Redmond (a key Black suffragist), and Thomas Monahan (a trolley conductor turned civic leader). Together, these portraits are intended to reflect the cultural mosaic that defines North Portland’s identity.
Founded in 1895, the Peninsula Odd Fellows Lodge has long been a pillar of the community, offering charitable support and curating a museum dedicated to local history. In a press release, the lodge emphasized that the mural project aims not just to beautify the neighborhood but to “foster community pride and spark interest in North Portland’s rich and diverse history for generations to come.”
Adding a deeply personal note to the project, Navdeep—a writer and professor—will be present at the mural launch. He is the son of Pashaura Singh Dhillon, who was raised by Bhakna himself. Navdeep’s participation underscores the living legacy of Bhakna’s influence, bridging generations and continents.
The mural comes at a poignant moment, following renewed attention to Bhakna’s legacy in Punjab. A recent article in The Amritsar Tribune highlighted the deteriorating state of a memorial and library established by Bhakna in his native village. The North Portland initiative is, in many ways, a transnational effort to preserve and elevate the memory of a man whose contributions have long been overlooked.
Through vibrant art and thoughtful storytelling, the people of North Portland are reclaiming their collective past—ensuring that the spirit of resistance, unity, and cultural pride continues to inspire future generations.
