Sikh art and culture

The Sikhs are adherents to Sikhism the fifth largest organized religion in the world, with around 23 million adherents. Sikh History is around 500 years and in that time the Sikhs have developed unique expressions of art and culture which is influenced by their faith and synthesizes that cultures from many other traditions. Sikhism is Punjab's only indigenous religion with all other religions coming from outside Punjab. All the Sikh gurus, saints and majority of the martyrs in Sikh history were from Punjab and from the Punjabi people. Punjabi culture and Sikhism are considered inseparably intertwined.

The Sikh Art, Culture intertwinement with Punjabi culture

Sikh art and culture is synonymous with that of the Punjab region. The Punjab itself has been called “India’s melting pot” [the Crafts of the Punjab [http://www.craftsbridge.com/craftsbridge/scripts/gotofacts?url=/information/regions/punjab/pnlife.htm] ] , due to the confluence of invading cultures, such as Greek, Mughal and Persian, that mirrors the confluence of rivers from which the region gets its name. Thus Sikh culture is to a large extent informed by this synthesis of cultures.

Sikhism has forged a unique form of architecture which Bhatti describes as being “inspired by Guru Nanak’s creative mysticism” such that Sikh architecture “is a mute harbinger of holistic humanism based on pragmatic spirituality” [ The magnificence of Sikh architecture [http://www.punjabheritage.org/catagories/architectural-heritage/the-magnificence-of-sikh-architecture.html] ] . The ‘key-note’ of Sikh architecture is the Gurdwara which is the personification of the “melting pot” of Punjabi cultures, showing both Islamic, Sufi and Hindu influences. The reign of the Sikh Empire was the single biggest catylst in creating a uniquely Sikh form of expression, with Maharajah Ranjit Singh patronising the building of forts, palaces, bungas (residential places), colleges, etc that can be said to be of the "Sikh Style". The “jewel in the crown” of the "Sikh Style" is the Harmandir Sahib.

Sikh culture is heavily influenced by militaristic motifs, with Khanda being the most obvious; thus it is no surprise that the majority of Sikh artifacts, independent of the relics of the Gurus, have a military theme. This motif is again evident in the Sikh festivals of Hola Mohalla and Vasakhi which feature marching and practicing displays of valor respectively.

Bhangra and the Gidha are two forms of indigenous Punjabi folk dancing that have been appropriated, adapted and pioneered by Punjabi Sikhs. The Punjabi Sikhs have championed these forms of expression all over the world, such that Sikh Culture has become inextricably linked to Bhangra, even though "Bhangra is not a Sikh institution but a Punjabi one." [Bhangra & Sikhi by Harjinder Singh [http://www.sikhwomen.com/sikhism/culture_arts/bhangra.htm] ] The art and culture of the Sikh diaspora has been merged with that of other indo-immigrant groups into categories such as 'British Asian', 'Indo-Canadanian' and 'Desi-Culture'; however there has emerged a niche cultural phenomenon that can be described as 'Political Sikh'. The art of prominent diaspora Sikhs such as Amarjeet Kaur Nandhra [Textile artist Amarjeet Kaur Nandhra [http://www.artministry.co.uk/services/delta_cms/content/communitygroup.aspx?GroupID=104] ] and Amrit and Rabindra Kaur Singh [Singh Twins Art Launches Liverpool Fest [http://sikhchic.com/article-detail.php?id=168&cat=1] ] , is informed by their Sikhism and the current affairs of the Punjab.

ee also

*Punjabi culture
*Punjab region
*Punjabi people
*Punjabi language
*Punjabi cuisine
*Music of Punjab
*Punjab (India)
*Punjab (Pakistan)

References and Notes