During my childhood, I always went to the Gurdwara to pray, meditate and learn. The Gurdwara has become a huge
attachment to my life. Hence through photography I want to create a virtual tour highlighting the Gurdwaras History, space
and place through various items, objects, rooms, individuals ect.
A Gurdwara is a place of worship for Sikhs. People from all
faiths, and those who do not profess any faith, are welcomed in
Sikh Gurdwaras. Three main functions are carried out in all
public Gurdwaras. One is Kirtan which is the singing of hymns
from the Guru Granth Sahib, another is Katha which is reading
of the Guru Granth Sahib and explanations. The third main
function which is carried out at every Gurdwara is the Langar,
free community kitchen for all visitors of all religions. Along with
these main functions Gurdwaras around the world also serve
the Sikh community in many other ways including, libraries of
Sikh literature, schools to teach children Gurmukhi and the Sikh
scriptures and charitable work in the community on behalf of
Sikhs. Through this I will capture various images.
Through the visualisation, I would like to portray nine
landscape images of the interior/exterior of the
Gurdwara. This may also be displayed in an album to
create a more personal meaning for individuals. The
album may contain a short description of what is
represented within the image. OR I may want to create
something that is interactive for the audience.
The different images that I may want to include are:
• The Nishan Sahib is the holy flag at the entrance to the
Gurdwara and acts as a welcome banner to visitors
signifying the house of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. It is a
sign of both the spiritual and political freedom that is
central to Sikhism.
• There are four doors into a Gurdwara, known as the
Door of Peace, the Door of Livelihood, the Door of
Learning and the Door of Grace. These doors are a
symbol that people from all four points of the compass
are welcome, and that members of all four castes are
equally welcome.
• There's always a light on in a Gurdwara, to show that
the Guru's Light is always visible and is accessible to
everyone at any time.
• Every Gurdwara has a Langar attached to it where food
is served to anyone without charge. The term Langar is
also used for the communal meal served at the
Gurdwaras.
• Towards the end of a service karah prasad, a sweet
vegetarian food that has been blessed, will be served.
This should be taken and received in cupped hands as a
gift of God.
Through the photography, it will represent the place,
space and history as each image is telling a story in the
chosen order.
References
• Photography exhibition, The Singh Project
•://www.britishmuseum.org/about_us/tours_and_loans/uk_loan
s_and_tours/archive_tours/sikh_fortress_turban.aspx - The
British museum
• http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/s/sikhism/ - Victoria and
Albert Museum
attachment to my life. Hence through photography I want to create a virtual tour highlighting the Gurdwaras History, space
and place through various items, objects, rooms, individuals ect.
A Gurdwara is a place of worship for Sikhs. People from all
faiths, and those who do not profess any faith, are welcomed in
Sikh Gurdwaras. Three main functions are carried out in all
public Gurdwaras. One is Kirtan which is the singing of hymns
from the Guru Granth Sahib, another is Katha which is reading
of the Guru Granth Sahib and explanations. The third main
function which is carried out at every Gurdwara is the Langar,
free community kitchen for all visitors of all religions. Along with
these main functions Gurdwaras around the world also serve
the Sikh community in many other ways including, libraries of
Sikh literature, schools to teach children Gurmukhi and the Sikh
scriptures and charitable work in the community on behalf of
Sikhs. Through this I will capture various images.
Through the visualisation, I would like to portray nine
landscape images of the interior/exterior of the
Gurdwara. This may also be displayed in an album to
create a more personal meaning for individuals. The
album may contain a short description of what is
represented within the image. OR I may want to create
something that is interactive for the audience.
The different images that I may want to include are:
• The Nishan Sahib is the holy flag at the entrance to the
Gurdwara and acts as a welcome banner to visitors
signifying the house of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. It is a
sign of both the spiritual and political freedom that is
central to Sikhism.
• There are four doors into a Gurdwara, known as the
Door of Peace, the Door of Livelihood, the Door of
Learning and the Door of Grace. These doors are a
symbol that people from all four points of the compass
are welcome, and that members of all four castes are
equally welcome.
• There's always a light on in a Gurdwara, to show that
the Guru's Light is always visible and is accessible to
everyone at any time.
• Every Gurdwara has a Langar attached to it where food
is served to anyone without charge. The term Langar is
also used for the communal meal served at the
Gurdwaras.
• Towards the end of a service karah prasad, a sweet
vegetarian food that has been blessed, will be served.
This should be taken and received in cupped hands as a
gift of God.
Through the photography, it will represent the place,
space and history as each image is telling a story in the
chosen order.
References
• Photography exhibition, The Singh Project
•://www.britishmuseum.org/about_us/tours_and_loans/uk_loan
s_and_tours/archive_tours/sikh_fortress_turban.aspx - The
British museum
• http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/s/sikhism/ - Victoria and
Albert Museum
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