Over a thousand men and women from all walks of life filled the Sky Rose Chapel in Whittier California to attend the funeral of Dr. Amarjit Singh Marwah, who was once dentist to the stars of Hollywood. When the ceremony ended, most lingered on outside to exchange remembrances of this amazing human who lived many lifetimes and died on January 7th less than a month short of his 99th birthday.
Many Indian Americans may be surprised to learn that people of Indian origin were once excluded from becoming American citizens. Shortly after that law was rescinded, a clean-shaven Sikh, Dalip Singh Saund won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives; In 1956, he was the first person of Asian descent elected to Congress. His campaign manager was a newly arrived immigrant, Dr Marwah.
Dr Marwah’s contributions to his profession, his alma maters, his community and the country of his birth spanned 70 years. I can recount a few anecdotes from the tales he told me, from what I read in media, from my personal experience.
He arrived in the USA in 1953 on a Fulbright Fellowship, studied in New York., Chicago and Washington DC before moving to Los Angeles where he was on the faculty of USC, the University of Southern California. He also started his dental practice and as chance would have it, his very first patient was someone who knew him from Chicago and was now working at the Walt Disney Company.
Very soon this handsome elegant turbaned Sikh had a stream of Hollywood celebrities as patients including Elizabeth Taylor and Gregory Peck. In the early 1960s there were very few residents of Indian origin in Los Angeles and most of them also became his patients. Every Sunday he and his wife Kuljit would cook free meals for students from India. As word spread, there were times when hundreds of students from the entire region would show up at their home!
In 1969, Marwah and his wife’s donation created the Hollywood Sikh Temple on Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles. The city of Los Angeles, in 2019 recognized his contribution by designating the street corner as Dr AS Marwah square. David Ryu, who was on the City Council at the time took time to drive 40 miles to the funeral.
Los Angeles had never had a black mayor until the 1970s when Tom Bradley created a diverse coalition of Los Angeles and sailed to victory. Dr Marwah was part of that coalition. Bradley went on to serve four terms. Dr Marwah was appointed Commissioner during this time.
He contributed generously to many political causes, mostly on the Democratic side. This did not stop him hosting the wedding of President Gerald Ford’s daughter on the 35-acre ranch overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Malibu. Over the years the Marwahs would hold receptions for Indian leaders such as President Gian Zail Singh and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. When Indian Ambassadors and Consuls General visited Los Angeles, the Malibu ranch was usually one of the stops.
My own daughter’s wedding was held on the Marwah ranch in 2023. He was also one of the key inspirations for me to lead the effort to convince Prime Minister Modi to open an Indian Consulate in Los Angeles. When Modi announced the positive decision in September 2024. Dr Marwah was effusive in his praise for me.
Into his 90s, Marwah had a crisp memory and no tolerance for technology. His invitations to events arrived, handwritten by postal mail. He did not use email or computers. Yet he was incredibly organized and punctual. When he came to visit my wife and, his Rolls Royce would arrive exactly on time, and he always brought a meaningful gift. I last met him in his family room on December 23, 2024, and as I left, he gave me a pair of binoculars. But his greatest gift to all was the inspiration to live a better life.
Written by Gunjan Bagla, CEO Amritt Inc
Learn more about Dr Marwah’s life and work: