Jimmevaar Kaun? - Who is Responsible?

This video by Fateh-Multimedia is an eye-operner for all of us. It shows the dismal state of sikhi knowledge among sikhs in Punjab.

A Sikh Face in Ireland: Photographic and Life History Project

A Sikh Face in Ireland exhibition opens. In association with FOMACS (Forum on Migration & Communications, DIT) and Irish Sikh Council. Photographic and life history project, A Sikh Face in Ireland, will be on view at the Chester Beatty Library from 7 May - 18 July.

This multimedia exhibition is produced and supported by FOMACS (Forum on Migration and Communications) in collaboration with photographer/oral historian, Dr Glenn Jordan, and researcher, Satwinder Singh.

A Sikh Face in Ireland is the first systematic exploration of the Sikh presence on the island of Ireland - providing both a profile of the present and a social and cultural history of Sikh immigrants and their descendants. The key themes of the exhibition include issues of culture, experience and identity. The exhibition illustrates that 'being a Sikh' is not a homogeneous experience; that people from similar backgrounds may live their identities in different ways. The exhibition portrays men who do and do not wear turbans, further depicting generational and gender differences. More generally, it explores the lived experiences and narratives of people often perceived as 'Other' by members of the general public - especially since 9/11.


A series of parallel events designed in collaboration with the Chester Beatty Library’s Intercultural Education Programme builds on different objects in the exhibition: photographic portraits accompanied by life stories; a short film, 'How to Tie a Turban'; a photographic and sound installation featuring contemporary Sikh musicians; an exhibition catalogue comprising essays, photographs, and extensive life stories in English and Punjabi; an interactive website designed for use in diverse educational settings, in addition to public workshops.

The project has been defined - in the context of a conversation with members of the Irish Sikh Council and FOMACS - as a contribution to anti-racist education and transcultural understanding.

Finding Sikhism on St. Patrick’s day

http://blog.jrn.columbia.edu/site/coveringreligion/2009/04/05/finding-sikhism-on-st-patricks-day/#more-1043

Dinesh Singh lived in India as a Hindu for 22 years before embracing Sikhism in Ireland.(Photo: Mirjam Donath)

By Maria Tirmizi
DUBLIN- Dinesh Singh listened to the drumbeat and soaked in the energy. He then steadied his wooden stick, slapped his thigh and struck at his opponent. Their sticks clacked. He stepped back, twirled his wooden weapon with one hand and hit again with sudden speed, left, right and center. Singh, 27, wearing a long white tunic and a saffron turban, was performing the gatka, an old battle-tested ritual that originated in India, at a temple in the heart of this capital city of Ireland.

Ireland’s history is almost synonymous with Catholicism, but for Singh, this is the land where he first discovered Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred Sikh scripture, on the very day the Irish celebrate for the advent of Christianity in Ireland.

Singh, a former Hindu who lived in India most of his life, embraced Sikhism in Ireland thanks to St. Patrick’s Day.

Like many South Asians looking towards the West for better opportunities, Singh, then known as Dinesh Kumar, arrived in Dublin five years ago from a small city in Haryana, India. He started working as a deputy manager at a supermarket. Two years later, a friend from India introduced him to the Sikh community at Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar, a temple in Sandymount, Dublin. The friend was a non-Sikh, but in awe of the gatka, and the shabads– hymns recited by the Sikhs. He often visited their temple to watch and participate. Kumar too developed an interest in the rituals and started accompanying his friend regularly. The temple also gave Kumar an opportunity to play a South Asian musical instrument he was good at, the tabla, which consists of a pair of small drums.

On 17th March, 2007, the Sikh Community of Dublin performed for the first time in St. Patrick’s Day parade. Kumar had been practicing the gatka with the Sikhs for a while now, so he also took part. He even grew a small beard for the role.

When the performance was over, he shaved his beard off. But this caused him a great deal of uneasiness.

“I felt really ashamed that I was just showing myself to be a Sikh for performing in the parade,” he said. “I felt like I was lying to myself.”

A couple of months later, there was a multicultural festival in Dunleary. The Sikh community performed again and so did Kumar. But this time when he kept a beard, he pondered deeply over its significance in Sikhism.

“The beard grows and you cut it and again it grows,” he thought. “So if it is going to grow, why cut it. Let it grow.”

This was his moment of epiphany. He converted to Sikhism, changed his last name to Singh and never shaved again.

Singh has been a Sikh for two years now. He visits the Sandymount temple twice a week, helps prepare food in its spacious kitchen and distributes it as a langar in a religious practice that promotes equality and hospitality.

“Now I feel like I have an aim in life,” he said. “I have to follow my gurus (spiritual guides). Following them gives me happiness. And when I do keertan (recitation of hymns), I get a feeling like I’m flying somewhere.”

He still practices the martial art, or gatka, that inspired him to embrace Sikhism. What he had demonstrated a short while ago, he explained, was a very small version of the real performance that took place on St. Patrick’s Day. Not only did the gatka entertain the crowd, accompanied by jubilant drumbeats, but also served as a sacred reenactment of the battles fought by the Sikhs in 17th century India.

Singh went back to India in July 2008 to meet his family after three and a half years. Not knowing that he had converted, they were shocked to see him in a turban and a beard.
He recalled their reaction and smiled. “I have the best parents in the world. They were taken aback, but they soon understood that this was what I wanted.”

His sister, however, said that she wouldn’t see his face again if he didn’t shave.

“I said ‘okay, whatever,’” he laughed. “After just one hour, she was okay. She’s my sister after all.”

The only aspect of his previous life stopping him from fully assimilating is his name, ‘Dinesh,’ which means ‘Lord of the Day’ in Hindu mythology. He was stopped twice by immigration officers in India for having a beard and turban, but a Hindu name. Upon returning to Ireland, he asked his Sikh friends to suggest a new first name. For now, he is leaning towards ‘Jarnail,’ the Punjabi translation for ‘General.’

For Singh, Ireland will always hold a special significance. This is where he found his true calling.
“I have sangat (company) here,” he said. “I learnt keertan here. I prefer to live here and serve my guru my whole life.”

Laughing at the wild prospect of finding Sikhism in Ireland through St. Patrick’s Day, he said, “It’s just destiny. I had to be a Sikh. It doesn’t matter if I spent 22 years in India being Hindu. I am a Sikh now. That’s destiny.”

Sikhs In New Zealand Parliament too! - Kanwaljit Singh Delivers his maiden speech

Je Kar Jeeaange Taan Jeeaange Ankh De Naal --(if we live we will live honor..)

January 5th was the Parkash Purabh (Birthday) of Ten Master, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee. As usual, Gurpurabhs are normally celebrated with holding of Sri Akand Path (Continuous reading of SGGS from begining to the end) the following weekend in the Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship). On the friday morning, Akand Path (Continuous recital of SGGS) would begin and it would finish on Sunday morning after around 48hrs. Last Sunday, 11th January, Sikh sangat (congregation) in Dublin celebrated the Parkarsh Purabh of Guru Gobind Singh Jee. Bhai Satnaam Singh ex-hazoori ragi of Darbar Sahib Amritsar and Jatha came from Uk to do the kirtan seva. Kirtan was awesome. Then a very young sikh, Jaspreet Singh read a poem, which was equally good.Here is the video..!

First Sikh Police Officer in NZ !

First turbaned Sikh Police Officer of New Zealand, Amaninder Singh Sandhu, performed Police "Haka" (traditional Maori warrior challenge - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haka) on October 16, 2008 as part of graduation ceremony at Royal New Zealand Police College, Wellington.

Chardi Kala Jatha!

Waheguru Jee Ka Khalsa Waheguru Jee Kee Fateh!

Most of People are aware of Jatha of American Sikhs who do amazing kirtan. I have just added a small video of Jatha singing shabad from Sri Jaap Sahib - this particular shabad is known as Gyatri Matra in Gurmat.