#imagining khalsa

[kathleenmarymulligan]

1947 Memories

January 19, 2023 This past Monday, we were treated to a trip to two small villages mere kilometers from the India/Pakistan border. We went there to meet some Partition survivors, thanks to a schoolmate of Khalsa’s drama teacher Emanuel Singh. At points we could see the simple metal fence that marks the border. Visiting these villages was stepping back in time—a time much closer to what I imagine 1947 was like than anything we see in the city of Amritsar. It was thrilling for me to meet these gentlemen- and just knowing that they had experienced Partition first-hand nearly brought me to tears. It was an honor to hear their stories (second hand, as they spoke in Punjabi.) We arrived first at a home in the village of Dalleke and entered the traditional courtyard of a home. The courtyard was surrounded by low-lying buildings, seven cows wandered about, and at the center back sat a man on a charpai (day bed.) The image was stunning: this striking man with a white beard and bright orange turban basking in the bright morning sunshine.

We learned later that he was a holy man (two people approached him during our visit for a blessing), but he was not a survivor himself (he was not born at the time of Partition.) He assured us that another gentleman would soon join us, and sure enough, a rather elegant man of 81 arrived accompanied by a granddaughter (?)

He was six at the time of Partition, and his family did not emigrate (they were Sikhs and remained in what became independent India.) He did not remember a lot himself, although he did tell us about a group of Muslims coming to their village to seek revenge for the abduction of several women (taking revenge on a predominantly Sikh village, although there was no proof that the women were there.) In retaliation, a truck full of Muslims crossing a bridge nearby was forced off the road and into a canal, killing everyone on board. He said, “I don’t remember very much. I was very little. But there is another man in the village who is over 100, and we have called him.” Almost on cue, a young man appeared leading an almost impossibly old gentleman.

He was nearly blind and hard of hearing, but his memory was intact. He seemed to be charmed by Priya, the student who accompanied us as our translator, and he talked for at least 30 minutes. He told us that a mob had lined up men in the village along the canal and shot them. His brother was among them.

Eventually, it was clear he was tired, and his great-grandson led him back home (I think they walked!) I actually don’t think he could have been 100 (it’s been 75 years since Partition, and he said he was “16 or 17” at the time)- but it was also explained that records were very vague then, and people did not really keep track of how old they or their children were!

Finally, we traveled to another nearby village for one more meeting- this time with a man who was 13 at the time of Partition and emigrated from Lyallpur (in Pakistan.)

He told of the terror of traveling in a kafila (caravan)—expecting mobs to attack at any time. He joined together with other men and boys in the kafila to fight (“it was kill of be killed…”) And he talked about the heat, the lack of water, and the bodies: bodies everywhere-- on the fields, in the canals. They had no choice but to drink the water from canals filled with blood and decomposing bodies in the brutal August heat. Hard stories. Shocking stories. But so grateful to hear them.

[chloesunit4]

Bana - Sikh Spiritual Attire

Bana is the word for the traditional spiritual attire of a Sikh. ​Many Sikhs wear ceremonial bana when attending worship programs and ritual ceremonies at the gurdwara, or during holidays and festivals. Very devout Sikhs may wear bana of traditional colours every day.

Chola - Sikh Warrior Attire

A chola is the name of a particular style of bana worn traditionally by Sikh warriors. It is a kind of dress or robe which has a wide flared skirt made with panels to allow for freedom of movement. A famous story tells how Guru Har Rai, snagged his chola on a rose bush, and the lesson of self-mastery it entailed.

Hajoori

The hajoori (hazoori) neckcloth may be a narrow strip of turban cloth or other fine cloth about 2 meters or yards in length. The hajoori may be from 8 to 12 inches wide or the full width of turban cloth. It is usually white, but may occasionally be orange. The hajoori is worn by most ragis or katha performers on stage at gurwara programs. It is also worn by Nihang warriors and many Singhs or Singhis who sing kirtan. The Hajoori is also worn while reading devotional paath, preparing and serving langar or prashad. It's either wrapped or held to loosely cover the mouth.

Jutti - Footwear

Footwear is removed before entering a gurdwara worship hall. Although western styles are worn, many Sikhs still wear the traditional Punjabi style slipper known as a Jutti. These are made of leather, embellished with embroidery, and may sport a curl up toe. Initially, both slippers in a set are identical and must be worn for a while to conform to the left or right foot.

Kakar - Required Articles of Sikh Faith

The kakar are the five articles of faith:

Kachhera - Loose undergarment

Kanga - Wooden comb

Kara - Iron Bangle

Kes - Unshorn hair

Kirpan - Ceremonial short sword

An initiated Sikh is required to keep the kakar on the body at all times, day and night, regardless of circumstances.

Khanda - Embellishment of Sikh Emblem

The khanda is an emblem representing the Khalsa crest, or Sikh coat of arms. It consists of a double edge sword in the center, a circlet, and two swords. A khanda embellishment may be appliquéd, or embroidered on ceremonial Sikh clothing, or worn as a turban pin.

Kurti

Kurti is traditional casual wear worn by both men and women. Fabrics include all cotton and synthetic materials. Styles include various lengths from about mid hip to just above the knee. Sleeves can be full length, three-quarters, half sleeve, or short. Men's kurti tend to be plain white, solid colours, striped, hatched, and prints. Women's kurti range from plain white, and solid colours with contrasting embroidery often along with appliqué, to multi-colored patterns and prints

Kurta Pajama - Sikh Men's Wear

Kurta pajama is Sikh men's wear. A Kurta is a kind of long tailored shirt with side slits up to the pocket. A kurta may have a finished or straight edge cuffs and a rounded or straight hem. The pajama is a loose pant often made of fabric to match the kurta. The very devout wear simple styles in solid colours to express humility.

Salvar Kamees - Sikh Women's Wear

Salvar Kamees is Sikh women's wear. Salvars are baggy loose fitting pants with ankle cuffs called ponche. The salvar is worn beneath the kamees, a dress top which is available in as many styles as there is imagination, and colour, often decorated with embroidery. The color of the salvar and kamees may match or contrast. They are worn with a colour coordinated matching or contrasting chunni or dupatta. The very devout tend to wear simple prints or solid colours with a little embroidery, as an expression of humility.

Shastar - Weaponry

In addition to the required kirpan, various types of Shastar weaponry may adorn traditional Khalsa warrior attire. Siri Sahib is a term of respect applied to a sizable kirpan. A chakar is often used to adorn a turban. A gurj is a kind of spiky mace historically used in battle and worn at the waist. A singh might also carry a teer in the form of a ceremonial spear or an arrow.

Turban - Headwear of a Sikh

The Sikh turban is worn in a variety of styles. Required wear for a Sikh man, a turban is optional for a Sikh woman who may choose instead to wear a scarf, alone, or over a turban.

Turban styles:

Domalla - Double length turban of 10 or more yards

Pagri - Double width turban of five to six yards

Dastar - A single turban of four to six yards

Keski - A short turban of two or three yards

Patka - A square of half to one yard tied over the joora (top knot) and head

Fifty - A half yard worn beneath turban

Scarf styles:

Chunni - A sheer lightweight veil of up to two and half yards

Dupatta - A double-wide fabric veil of up to two and half yards

Ramal - Square or triangular head cover

Havard referencing:

Sukhmandir Khalsa. (2018). Introduction to the Traditional Dress of Sikhs. [Online]. LearnReligion. Last Updated: 19 April 2018. Available at: https://www.learnreligions.com/traditional-dress-of-sikhs-2993014 [Accessed 18 September 2023].

[timelessamritsar]

Inderpreet Luthra, Panchkula

Catalogue for Art Expo-Amritsar Summer 2023

(15 june - 30 aug) Curated by: Vulcan Art Gallery 📍 Timeless Amritsar 8 Queens'Road Amritsar

Artist Statement

Inderpreet Luthra, a skilled sculptor, wall painting artist, and art educator coming from Panchkula, showcases a profound affinity for spirituality in her artistic endeavors. Her body of work predominantly explores themes of spirituality, employing a diverse range of mediums such as wood cutting, clay, and wire to bring her visions to life. Drawing inspiration from her mother, as well as her surroundings and personal encounters, she crafts her pieces solely from the wellspring of her imagination. Her artworks serve as a means of expressing her innermost emotions and sentiments, while also serving as a channel through which she delves into her introspective thoughts. She holds the belief that art possesses an inherent power akin to a deity, capable of bestowing healing and facilitating meditation.

- inderpreet luthra

Kalghi Dhar

Acrylics on paper

19x19 in

₹3500/-

In this exquisite artwork, the Mandala art of Guru Gobind Singh Ji is showcased. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, revered as the divine incarnation of Kalgi Dhar Avtaar, commands the foreground with grace. The countenance of Guru Gobind Singh Ji emanates tranquility and serenity, captivating the viewers' gaze. The magnificent backdrop features the word "Waheguru," skillfully inscribed in lustrous golden acrylics, symbolizing the awe-inspiring illumination associated with the divine. "Waheguru" is the sacred mantra chanted by the deities Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Shiva), embodying the essence of the Agia Chakra mantra. Additionally, the profound significance of the term "Satnam" is depicted, representing the eternal and truthful nature of God's name.

Spirituality

Acrylics on brown board

8 x 8 in

₹2500/-

There are three captivating Mandala artworks, each showcasing a distinct and uplifting spiritual path. Within these artworks, I have depicted the sacred symbols of EK ONKAR, OM, and YIN YANG. The resplendent golden accents adorning all three pieces symbolize the transcendent power of the divine. At the heart of each artwork, the encompassing symbol of the respective deities from different religions radiates their divine power, imparting a sense of harmony, serenity, and divine beauty throughout the world

Promoters of Sikh Dharm

Mixed media

28x26 in

₹3500/-

This artwork is the depiction of the champions of Sikh Gurus who valiantly battled the Mughals. Mata Gujri Ji, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and his esteemed Chaar Sahibzaade (Baba Fateh Singh Ji, Baba Ajeet Singh Ji, Baba Zorawar Singh Ji, and Baba Jhujhar Singh Ji) are portrayed, symbolizing their selfless sacrifices in upholding the honor and integrity of the Khalsa Panth in the face of Mughal oppression.

Untitled

Wood carving

8x12 in

₹9500/-

The hand symbolizes the divine presence of God, while the face represents the embodiment of humanity, a creation of God. Our actions are under the control of God; we are incapable of doing anything without his divine will. We are akin to puppets, merely following the predetermined path that God has already written for us. Every aspect of our past, present, and future is predetermined by God's plan. We obediently carry out his orders. God possesses unlimited power and is inherently benevolent.

Waheguru G

Wood carving

10x12 in

₹7500/-

This artwork portrays the profound spirituality associated with Waheguru. On the left-hand side, the symbol "Ik Onkar" symbolizes the belief in the existence of a singular deity or creator, representing the ultimate reality. On the right-hand side of "Ik Onkar," the Mool Mantra is intricately carved into the wood using traditional woodcut tools. The Mool Mantra, penned by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, holds a revered place within the sacred scripture known as Guru Granth Sahib Ji. It encapsulates a concise yet profound depiction of the divine nature of God.

Support Partners for Art Expo - Amritsar Summer 2023

Anil Stores | Bharawan Da Dhaba | Bon Gateu Cafe | CASA Furnishings | Coffee & Bagels Cafe | IBT Institutes | Pink Peggy Cafe | Rai Language Academy | Tile World | Timeless Asthetics

[yellowpencilcrayon]

Hi all, I know sometimes we get on social media to get away from the world but I wanted to shed light on this because I haven’t seen many posts about this on Tumblr at all unless I specifically search for them. The post I have reblogged is a great post with lots of information to thank you! Also @cloudystevie​ has provided links to places you can donate to, Khalsa Aid is a great place to donate!!! I think you might be able to volunteer with them depending on where you are (also make sure its safe during these covid times!!) Also I would like to add a few links: - This link leads to the Khalsa Aid India instagram page, it’s a great way to gain more knowledge of what is happening in India right now!!  - This one is also on insta it’s from brown.journals  - Another post from phvnkaur  Thank you for taking the time to read!! It means a lot to the farmers to see that their voices are being heard and that people around the world are trying to help! 

what’s going on in india?

hi- i sincerely apologize if this is annoying but i’d really hope to raise awareness on what’s going on in india right now! basically modi has passed 3 new reform laws which makes it extremely difficult for farmers; the backbone of india’s economy; to make money. essentially private companies now buy directly from farmers rather than the government having a set price on crops grown by kisaans (farmers) all year long. thus leading to a significantly lower income. overtime many farmers will go into extreme debts and would be incapable of supporting their families. 65 farmers in punjab have already taken their lives since this bill was passed.

there have been peaceful protests in delhi where many sikhs and punjabis (as well as farmers from other states and religions) are fighting for their livelihood back, however the police brutality that they are currently facing is unfathomable. they are getting shot with water cannons and tear gases for protesting against bills that make it borderline impossible for them to live.

3/4 of punjabs population are farmers, my own immediate and distant family are currently out protesting and are being actively impacted by this.

you can donate to khalsa aid right here! they are providing protesters with food and water!

you can purchase from kisaani.co! all their profits are sent directly to the kisaans in need.

i apologize for such a long post but not enough people are talking about this and i really hope that if you have the means you donate or share the links so it reaches someone who might be able to. thank you :)

[mashitandsmashit]

America’s Got Talent: Season 15 - Auditions 1

Hello, and welcome to my reviews/countdowns for “America's Got Talent”, Season 15! I'm Mashitandsmashit, but you can call me Mash or Mashit for short...

So with AGT turning a decade-and-a-half old, some changes are bound to be made...I guess I'll just get them out of the way real quick...

1: Heidi Klum has officially returned to the AGT judges' desk, and yes, I will admit that after the boredom I endured from What's Her Name and That Other Chick last year, her quirkiness was sorely missed...

2: Sofia Vergara will be taking the other seat, and while she can be likable and entertaining, they probably just hired her because they wanted a chick with an even funnier accent than Mel B.

3: Due to a certain virus flying around, some of the auditions will be held remotely, like every other “live” show on TV right now...In fact, a handful of them have already been uploaded to Youtube, but I'm not sure whether or not they'll air these auditions on TV, so I'll hold off on reviewing them for now...

Anyway, it's not like we have anywhere to be these days, so let's get right down to tonight's premiere...

Here's my first act ranking for Season 15!

10: Archie Williams. The act that felt more like a Golden Buzzer than the ACTUAL Golden Buzzer, and the act most likely to win the whole season so far...And he's at the bottom of my list...Not that I don't see the value in him, his singing was very nice and all...BUT it was far from the best singing I've heard, including from old brothas like him...Indeed, when Simon said he will never forget this audition, it's pretty obvious what the reason is, and raw talent is not it...That being said...this is one case where I might be willing to throw the act a bone specifically BECAUSE of the sob story! In fact, I don't think I'm even gonna complain about this guy making it all the way to the Finals! Because you know what, as rubbish as the results on this show can be a lot of the time, even the worst results in the show's history don't even hold a candle to the injustice that this man had to suffer for all of these years! I'm at a point in my life where my mortality has hit me hard, giving me an existential crisis over not having accomplished anything significant that I would have liked to in life, and feeling trapped in my current situation, unable to improve it! I can only imagine what THIS guy went through, having the prime years of his life stripped away from him and thrown in a cage over something he didn't do! A LOT is owed to this man, not the least of which are those 37 FREAKING YEARS of his life back! But since that is a tragic impossibility, I guess the LEAST we can give him is his time in the sun on this show! And we won't let that sun go down on him! ...Even if he's by no means the best...Will he win? Probably not...But he'll probably go far either way...And maybe he can even legitimately earn some of it by improving his voice or performing an original song...Who knows...? (HOO, boy...That's a HELL of a review to open this season with!)

9: Double Dragon. I didn't know the Lee Brothers had successors! Where's the coin slot? I wanna beat up some Black Warriors with these ladies' singing and choreography! Anyway, this was entertaining, if rather gimmicky...We'll see if these ladies can pick a song choice I can take a little more seriously next time, or if they go all out on the silliness! ...Honestly, I'm kinda rooting on the latter!

8: Voices of Our City Choir. A choir getting the Golden Buzzer? STOP THE PRESSES! But seriously, I do see potential in this group...There were a few aspects to this act that we haven't seen in previous choirs, like the (very catchy and enjoyable) original song, the instruments and the choir leader actually singing with them (in a very unique singing voice, no less). I'd rather avoid another Detroit Youth Choir situation, but seeing that this IS Terry's Golden Buzzer, and the hosts' GB picks have consistently made the Top 3 AT LEAST every time...again, save for that old burlesque dancer lady...I'd say these people have the potential to keep that streak going...Then again, Angel City Chorale had similar draws to them, and they never did that well in the votes...The whole numbers factor usually only works for kids, because parents are more likely to vote than OTHER relatives...So between that and the comparisons made between this act and Archie, it's a tough one to call...We'll just see what develops as the season goes on...But if nothing else, maybe it's time to break that streak...

7: The Pork Chop Revue. We've seen dog acts, bird acts, cat acts and even a rat act, so who's to say we can't add pigs to the animal trick collective? I guess when you get down to it, it's pretty much another dog act but with pigs...And I probably wouldn't even say that pigs are the most difficult animals to train, as they're actually quite intelligent...But this was unique and different enough for the time being, and both the gigantic mother and the little baby pig stole the show...and everyone's hearts! That'll do, pigs...That'll do...

6: Ryan Tricks. I would like to take this moment to coin a new AGT term: The Shin Lim Effect! Basically, it refers to the shadow that has been cast over all magicians on this show by a certain other magician, hence the name...Because of it, all magicians that compete on this show will inevitably be compared to You-Know-Who...It's not exactly a fair comparison, but it does set the standard for what is expected of all magicians from here on out...This man, for instance, did a trick that was far from the most mesmerizing or head-scratching...BUT, he still made me wonder what made this trick possible, and as mundane as that sounds, it IS the highest of compliments you can give a magician! The only answer that could hurt his credibility is if Howie and Simon were plants...But I've long since stopped assuming that they do those things...I'm not ENTIRELY sold on him yet, but he is likable enough that I'm willing to give him a chance...

5: Broken Roots. These guys were easily the most interesting singers for me tonight! I look forward to seeing how they improve with a little more practice...

4: Muy Moi Show. Just when you thought you'd never see a more insane sideshow act than Bir Khalsa...This guy did everything short of hanging something off of his eyelids! He even put his shirt back on! That's almost a cardinal sin in the eyes of the female judges! All I have to say is, I look forward to seeing what he does with a bigger budget!

3: BAD Salsa. Is it wrong that I almost wondered if they were former V.Unbeatable members? I mean, they certainly had the acrobatic abilities! This takes the whole dance duo genre to a new level, so I guess it's no surprise that it's from India!

2: Vincent Marcus. I wish I had Eminem and Jay-Z singing my nursery rhymes back when I was little! I never watched Vine, so I'm not aware of this guy's earlier work, but he seems like a pretty funny guy! Question is, will he make good progress like Greg Morton, or will he be taken out prematurely like several other acts of this nature...? Who knows? But I hope he does well, because this was certainly one of the more memorable acts so far...

1: Malik DOPE. Looks like my dream band consisting of Tokio Myers, Brian King Joseph and Marcin Patrzalek finally has a drummer! I'm not sure if this guy blew me away to the same degree that those other guys did (yet), but I do love his moves! I see a lot of potential in this act, especially when he gets enough of a budget to add some special effects or something...(PS, I'd probably pick Courtney Hadwin to be the lead singer...I'll call them the Sounds of Chaos!)

Overall, a pretty solid opener to the season! Even the weakest acts (not counting the rejects) had something to admire, and that's always good!

Next week, Simon's apparently got the Golden Buzzer...And I figure that it's only a matter of time before his GB wins the show, so we'll see if this is the year...I just hope that WHATEVER kind of act it is, it's deserving enough to go all the way to the Finals as I'm sure it will inevitably either way...

So I guess I'll see you then...Assuming anyone else will be posting here with me, after the total silence I got at Champions a few months back...

Still looking into that podcast...

[vm4vm0]

In Full Bloom (dir. Maegan Houang) from Maegan Houang on Vimeo.

A project by VSCO Voices starring Kieu Chinh

Write-up in Short of the Week: shortoftheweek.com/2019/06/26/in-full-bloom/

Intriguing Female Characters Highlight these 8 Sci-Fi & Fantasy Shorts: io9.gizmodo.com/intriguing-female-characters-highlight-these-8-new-sci-1836894263

Featured in No Budge: nobudge.com/main/in-full-bloom

Interview in Directors' Notes: directorsnotes.com/2019/06/27/maegan-houang-in-full-bloom/

Featured in First Showing: firstshowing.net/2019/watch-maegan-houangs-surrealist-fairytale-short-film-in-full-bloom/

Featured in Film Shortage: filmshortage.com/shorts/in-full-bloom/

OFFICIAL SELECTION: 2019 Atlanta Film Festival 2019 LAAPFF 2019 CAAMFest Runner up AT&T 2019 Film Awards Futuristic Category 2019 Twister Alley Film Festival 2019 Breakthroughs Film Festival 2019 Oak Cliff Film Festival Best Fiction Film 2019 Vidlings & Tapeheads Film Festival 2019 42nd Asian American International Film Festival 2019 Traverse City Film Festival 2019 Hollyshorts Film Festival 2019 Horrible Imaginings Film Festival 2019 DC Shorts Film Festival 2019 Sao Paulo International Short Film Festival 2019 Sidewalk Film Festival 2019 New Orleans Film Festival 2019 Fantastic Fest 2019 Indie Memphis 2019 Nitehawk Film Festival 2019 San Diego Asian American Film Festival 2020 London Short Film Festival 2020 MoPop SFFSFF For more information about screenings go here: ifbfilm.com/screenings

Director: Maegan Houang (maegahouang.com) Producer: John J. Lozada, Vanessa Elliott Cinematographer: Christopher Ripley (christopherripley.com) Production Designer: Emmy Eves Editor: Gus Spelman Stop Motion Animator: Jason Whetzell VFX Supervisor: Matthew Waukhonen Score: Robert Ouyang Rusli Sound Design: Grant Meuers Costume Design: Anne Valiant Casting by: Liz Lewis Casting Partners Cecile's Husband: Long Dinh Co-Producer: David Miller, Adele Pham Hair & Make-up: Kelly Park Assistant Director: Ted Keffer Gaffer: Jake Kaster 1st AC: Megan Johnson, Kyle Frank, Shaw Fisher 2nd AC: Isue Shin Still Photographers: Michelle Tsaikaros, Taylor Johnson Art Director: Teagan Morin Set Decorator: Megan Bartley-Matthews Set Dresser: Jamie Kim Prop Master: Cynthia Wu Pupper Flower: Josh Spooner Storyboard Artist: Joy Sun Art Coordinator: Alyssa Forstmann Art PA: Zoe Baxter, Elijah Beckner, Leah Khambata, Ruby Lanet, Pernell Langhorne, Ben Mendina SPFX Coordinator: Michael Valenzuela FX Foreman: Chip Mefford FX Technician: Richard Valenzuela Title Design: Tiffany Liang Music Supervisor: Dylan Bostick Visual Effects Artists: Sevan Najarian, Matthew Waukhonen, Austin Piko Color: Christopher Ripley Truck Drivers: Marc Kaplan, Harry Kemp Key Grip: Marlon O'Brien, Andrew Robes, Anthony Christ, Sean Hunt BBE: Ryan Johnson, Mohamed Samra Swing Grip: Barrie Brown, Noah Sellman, Andrew McWilliams PA: Josh Gordon, Genki Hall, Taylor Johnston, Brooke Kushwaha, Josh Palmer, Charlotte Rand

Production Company: Imposter Executive Producer: Alex Brinkman, Avtar Khalsa Head of Production: Alexis Celic

Copyright Maegan Houang

[the-dewdrop-read-deep]

Hari B Khalsa - Three Poems

These three poems by Hari B Khalsa were written as part of a larger series in the early days of the Coronavirus pandemic.

These three poems by Hari B Khalsa were written as part of a larger series in the early days of the Coronavirus pandemic. They chronicle the small and large moments of a woman’s days, expressing what was experienced as both real and earthly, as well as addressing the internal, the spirit, the imagination that takes flight on the wings of birds. She Hasn’t Found She hasn’t found the truth the…

[kathleenmarymulligan]

The Pink City! (or Kathleen Rides a Camel.)

Peacock Gate- City Palace

March 5, 2023- Wow. Nearly a month has passed since I last really wrote a blog entry. I did post some photos from our trip to Jaipur and will post some more now. But I’d better get caught up, because I have a lot to tell you about our 10-day trip to Kochi that is just now drawing to a close.

First, though, Jaipur. February-2023.

We went for two reasons:

Jaipur is part of the Golden Triangle: (along with Delhi and Agra)--part of any “must see” tour of India—and we’d never been.

We wanted to visit the Jawahar Kala Kendra cultural center there, a place that seems ideal as a tour stop for our project with Khalsa College students.

The city is lovely--and also chaotic, like so many big cities, especially in India. We chose an Airbnb outside of the city in the village of Amber, and that was a wise decision for us. It’s beautiful there, and the small hotel where we stayed was a wonderful oasis after a day of sight-seeing and meetings.

The garden of our hotel

The first day of our visit was our day to explore Jaipur proper after our very productive meeting at JKK. We “did” the sights: the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), the City Palace, and the Jantar Mantar (observatory created by Sawai Jai Singh II in the early 18th century.)

Palace of the Winds (the latticed windows were designed so that the women of the court could look out on goings-on without being viewed by the outside world.)

The City Palace

The observatory

My space geek husband particularly loved this place.

I’m glad we visited, but after a walk through the old city, I was ready for peace and quiet up the hill in Amber.

The next day, we were incredibly fortunate to tag along on a guided tour of sights in Amber by our hotel host. He had two friends visiting from Germany, a retired couple who have traveled to India many times over the past 20-30 years. Our host is a font of knowledge about the area, and as a local, knows all the secret little spots.

Two ancient Hindu temples.

The original Amber Palace (used BEFORE the one built in 1599 that everyone goes to!) We were the only people exploring these little-known sights, and they were fascinating. Standing in the long-deserted (and somewhat forgotten) rooms of the king's wives, the hall where he held court, the many halls and staircases--there was a palpable energy.

We ended the tour at The Amber Fort, which is (for me) the most worthwhile sight in Jaipur. It’s massive, and beautiful and while there were a lot of tourists, it is still possible to find moments of quiet where one can imagine the lives lived within those walls.

On the path up to the fort I heard music being that said one thing to me: snake charmer! I know—at this point, this ancient art has been pretty much relegated to tourist spots—but I had never seen one, always wanted to, and was thrilled to finally stumble upon one (well, I was careful not to stumble- as the guy had several baskets containing sleeping cobras on the ground beside him. ) It was high noon, so the snakes were not as inclined to cooperate as they are in morning or evening. But it was still a thrill for me – with the little extra excitement of a bit of danger…that cobra was only about 2 feet from where I crouched on the ground to watch. (Video in "Faces of Jaipur" post to follow.)

After we finished the fort, it was time for me to check off yet another item on my bucket list—and while David attempted to convince me that I did NOT need to ride a camel- I was undeterred. Our host brought us down the hill to the outskirts of the city- where I was able to have a very satisfying (and surprisingly comfortable) ride on “Pushbah”. Touristy? You bet. But something I wanted to experience once in my life.

After one more stop at an out of the way (and not too touristy) gem store (where I was able to pick up some beautiful earrings for the girl we sponsor in Kerala and her social worker—as well as one pair of citrine studs that I could not resist for myself) we were back up the hill for our final night in the hotel’s beautiful garden (with the illuminated Amber Palace seemingly close enough to touch.)

Thumbs-up for a rather perfect weekend (and a direct flight from Amritsar!) My motto for this Fulbright: seize the day. No matter how much we see and experience, we will not see nearly all of what this country has to offer. But I’m determined to do my best!

[gschauhan3219]

☬ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ ☬ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ☬ ☬ ਇਕ ਵਾਰ ਵਾਹਿਗਰੂ ਜੀ ਜਰੁਰ ਲਿਖੋ ਜੀ ਤੇ ਜਪੋ ਜੀ।।☬ ੴ FOLLOW👉👉@sikh_vichaar ਨੋਟ👉ਜੇ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਸਾਡਾ ਪੇਜ ਵਧੀਆ ਲਗੇਂ ਤਾ STORY ਜਾ POST ਪਾ ਕੇ SUPPORT ਜਰੂਰ ਕਰੋ ਜੀ ।। 🇵 🇷 🇴 🇲 🇴 🇹 🇪 👇 🇸 🇮 🇰 🇭 🇮 🇸 🇲 👇 FOLLOW ON YOUTUBE 👉 GURMUKH SINGH CHAUHAN 👈 Page Admin 🙏🏻🙏🏻 @its_gurmukh.singh 🙏🙏 🙏🙏 _______________________________________________________ੴਸਾਤਿਨਾਮ ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ☬ __________ ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰ ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ।। ।।ਜਪੁ।। ਜੀ __ _ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰ _________________________________________ 👉 ~ These photos which we are posting of guru sahiban's are just imagination. This is just our believe how our guru's look like, So I request you all please Do path and believe in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj. Historical , Gurudwaras ,Places ,etc are Real. Destination For Learning & Spreading Good Thoughts ~ 👈 ______________________________________________________ 🅗🅐🅢🅣🅐🅖🅢 ️👉➡ #sikh_vichaar #waheguruji🙏 #instagram #gurugranthsahibji #goldentemple #sikhculture #kaur #sketch #khalsa #waheguru #sikhism #sikhi #gurbani #shabad #dastar #dumala #turban #kada #parshad #srigurugranthsahibji #sridarbarsahib #sriharmandirsahib #pencilsketch #sikhmuscle #pagga_wale_sardar #singh #sardar #sikhvirasat #waheguru_ji_ka_khalsa_waheguru_ji_ki_fateh_jio #virasat __________________________________ Other = @nimratkhairaofficial @gurbaani_wallpapers @sridarbarsahib @gurudwarasisganjsahibji @_guru_manyo_granth_ @srigururamdasjii @ammyvirk @bandhgi @sikhi.post @back_to_sikhi1699 https://www.instagram.com/p/CE0X1iKlBXh/?igshid=ej02imtz3z17

[supinderkaurblog]

If you are thinking a museum can’t exist without objects then you are wrong. The amazing Virasat E Khalsa is a wonder created by Amardeep Bahl which gives you jaw-dropping experience. My mouth was open all the time to see the artwork which I have never imagined exists. Because I am a huge fan of creative people.

[carmen-sandie-go]

Very true like there was hoards and hoards of police at the start that does seem verry verry suspicious

And whats even more suspicious is why didnt the delhi police remove the flag ? I mean why did they just keep standing there and not remove the flag from there ? Imagine if someone put some other countries flag wouldnt thy remove it immediately ? Its as if they almost wanted it to be photographed and spread .

And they just confirmed the date 2 days ago and since everything had been really peaceful they were just looking for a reason to ban the protests . From declaring Teekait khalsa( like wth ? He is a jaat ) to getting pakistan rumors then rahul gandhi and how congress wanted to do it years ago( which is almost the shittiest logic they could give i mean you guys were opposinv it that time how is it for good now ? It makes no sense as if You wanted to kill my mother years ago so now I have killed you mother ) and what not ..

And they got their reason see one violence which didnt even kill anyone ( expt for the guy who was trying to do stunts and killed himself in the proces ) and most of it was silent and they removed almost all of them in a single night .

Why the farmer’s protest isn’t what media portrays it to be

Ok so I am assuming all of you heard of what historic event took place on 26 January, 2021? For those who don’t know, farmers in India have been protesting against the new capitalistic farm laws for over half a year now. On the 26th, India’s Republic Day (this is the day when India formally adopted it’s Constitution in 1950), these protest suddenly erupted into violence at Delhi. Cops were thrashed and the Lal Qila (Red Fort, the residence of the Mughals, now converted into a museum and govt office complex) was vandalised and the Nishan Sahib, the holy symbol of the Sikhs, was hoisted.

Firstly, while I’m very happy that the cops got that bad thrashing they deserved (those bastards have killed, lynched and arrested protesters and students), the cops themselves were claiming that the assailants were not farmers. Most of them were local goons they had arrested, while some even claimed were linked to the Indian Nazi Party - the BJP.

Secondly, the man who’s image is being circulated as hoisting the flag, along with actor Deep Sidhu, are members of the BJP.

Thirdly - after months of protesting, shivering in the chilly Delhi winter when temperatures dropped to as low as 0.5°C (33°F), being assaulted by the cops and bombarded with tear gas and water cannons and lathi charges, and withstanding all of it and never once retaliating, they can’t just turn into mobsters in a span of a few minutes.

So my conclusion (which I admit does sound like a conspiracy theory) - these riots were staged. Obviously the BJP has done this to discredit the farmer’s cause and draw common support.

[mashitandsmashit]

America’s Got Talent: Season 14 - Judge Cuts 3

I guess throw Erin into the “likable personality, but was mostly just there” pile, since I’m so obligated to criticize these guest judges...But once again, a solid GB choice!

I guess the unfortunate casualties for this week would be Revolution Queens, Cirque Du Sewer (it’s like a cross between a pet act and a Rube Goldberg machine act) and I might even say Stephanie’s Child...Sure, maybe they weren’t the best singers, but I feel like entertainment value should be factored in as well, which will be a major topic of discussion in this review...

Obviously, a lot of people are pissed that Ansley didn’t make it and silly acts like Gonzo did, but as I commented on her video, I see variety as just as important as talent. The reason why some stupid acts slip through is because they’re unique and different, whereas she’s just an adequate child singer among much superior ones. (Hell, I’d say the girls from GFORCE are better...) I wish her the best, but she didn’t deserve to advance in my opinion (especially since she keeps running into the same issue...)

And it’s not a very good year for acrobats or dance duos, is it? I was hoping that at LEAST Duo MainTenanT would pull through, but to be fair, I didn’t see anything super-exciting from them this time, at least from the brief clip of them that I saw. And while it may have seemed like Edson & Leon would make it due to being previewed early, I guess it means nothing now...While it is impressive what they do, I don’t see them doing much to develop the act anyway...Honestly, from the brief three seconds we saw from Andrei & Alexander, they showed the most promise in this category!

Anyway, let’s move on to who made the cut...

7: Mackenzie. Yeah, he’s a good singer and everything, and I enjoy his stage presence and all that, so I won’t complain about him advancing...But he’s probably the least interesting singer to make the live shows...I was hoping there wouldn’t be any singers I would have to actively root against in the live shows this year, but it’s probably going to be him...

6: Sideshow Opera. Well, I guess we needed ONE weird sideshow act in there (even though Bir Khalsa should count as well). But yeah, this was just weird enough to be entertaining, and you gotta give the man props for singing on a bed of nails with a cinder-block on his chest while his wife smashed it with a fiery mallet, as well as the amount of precise timing that was required! They won’t make it past the next round, but I look forward to one more deadly aria!

5: Gonzo. I don’t care what anyone says, Gonzo is just too much! Like, he’s totally out in the next round, but I don’t care, one more performance from him is all I ask!

4: Greg Morton. While I think I liked his “Star Wars” set a little more, I still greatly enjoy his energy and all of the different voices he can do! (Here, I’d say he peaked early with the T-Rex impression...) He doesn’t even NEED to do all those voices; He can just read the phone-book and I’ll love it! Though he still looks terrifying when he opens his mouth like that...

3: Carmen Carter. Yeah, I don’t care, I had a blast! Sure, she hypes the audience quite a bit, but I think that kinda added to it! Had to find SOME way to get attention off of her massive rack! I’m sorry, I just couldn’t look away from that...But whatever, girl, you do you!

2: Marcin Patrzalek. I really had to think about these top two...Marcin definitely stepped it up, but after that audition, it’s hard to know how much more you CAN step up! Also, there is the matter of which one I would pay to see in a show, and a lone guitar player might not make for the best hour-and-a-half of my time, no matter how crazy he plays it! That said, that is just a factor to consider with an otherwise amazing talent! While he deserved a GB just like the act that beat him here, I will point out that I’m once again going to pick my own personal Golden Buzzer, and I think I already know who it’s gonna be...Winkity-wink-wink!

1: Light Balance Kids. I mean, I love Marcin, but could it have REALLY been anyone else to get the GB!? The adult version of this act had one, and these kids really DO have the potential to top even them! Hell, in the final results, they might even rank a little bit higher than Third this time! I’ll be pulling for these kids, just like I will with Marcin and V.Unbeatable! (And the best part is, they could ALL potentially make the Top 5! Though Kodi Lee will probably still win, but whatever...)

So there may be a few deserving acts not making the live shows who I would have liked, but I at least understand that there are some tough choices with all of these.

Otherwise, in my opinion, the judges are making solid choices this year! Let’s see if they bring it home next week when Ol’ Bigchin is their guest judge!

And now to predict the fortunate ones...I’ll start with the singers, since that’s looking to be a pretty cutthroat category for this one...

We have THREE child singers competing in this same show, and they are arguably the best of the category for this season (barring any that already have a Golden Buzzer)! Charlotte Summers, Benicio Bryant and Emanne Beasha!

Of the three’s auditions, Charlotte’s was by far my favorite, with some unique and powerful vocals, and a strong stage presence! I’m actually rooting for her, but I am a little worried...It’s hard to imagine all three of these kids advancing on the same show, and the other two just have stronger factors going for them...

Benicio has the factor of being the only boy of the group, so they might consider diversity, and he was also featured in the “Best of Auditions” compilation...Everyone else from that compilation has already made the live shows (including Greg Morton, which is why I felt as confident in him as I did).

As for Emanne...Well, she’s a young girl who sings opera, and we all know how much everybody loves those! In fact, while there is still a possibility for the other singing acts, she’s my most likely prediction for the Golden Buzzer! (Leno’s pre-GB line in the promo even sounds like he might be talking to a child singer of some sort, most likely a Jackie Evancho type...Hmmm...)

Either way, I’m fine with one more singer getting it; Both V.Unbeatable and Light Balance Kids have one, I’ll allow whatever for the last one now...

The other singing act to consider is Voices of Service, which could actually go either way...

And now for the other categories...If there’s one non-singing act for this show who is GB-worthy (though I doubt it’s him), it’s Eric Chien! But honestly, it might be more fitting if he doesn’t get one, since he’s the spiritual successor to Shin Lim, who WON last year without one! A GB might actually jinx it for him...But either way, I’m feeling pretty much certain that he’s gonna make it regardless...

Magicians haven’t been doing the best this year (I mean, most of them ARE struggling to reach the high bar that last year’s winner set)! Even the guy who already made it didn’t impress as much in this round...So we’ll see if Eric is the one who rises to the challenge...Because I don’t think it’s gonna be SOS...

So let’s get to some TOUGHER rivalries! In the stand-up comedy category, we have two naughty middle-aged comediennes! Going off of their auditions, I did like Kara with a K more, and she has a VERY colorful personality to boot...But we’ll see how well Jackie Fabulous can step it up...I guess it all comes down to which one does better in this round!

Then we have TWO contortionists, Marina Mazepa and our favorite human carry-on, Jonathan Burns! I can actually see this potential rivalry going either way; While we may have predicted early on that Burns will get pigeonholed, he could also find some way to squeeze through (pun way intended)! But no matter how amazing either of them are, I think they could both end up going home regardless...

Throw Dominguez Poodles and Trigger Happy into the candidate list...And while I don’t think they’ll make it, remember DM Nation from Season 10? Apparently they have returned and will compete in this episode...

So let’s try to guess who’s making the final cut...

1: Benicio Bryant

2: Dominguez Poodles

3: Emanne Beasha (Golden Buzzer)

4: Eric Chien

5: Jackie Fabulous/Kara with a K

6: Trigger Happy

7: Voices of Service

But I don’t want Charlotte to go so soon...

[surajpostsstuff]

2nd Jan.

The two human beings who proved their supremacy with their way of doing works and inspiring others to be the best of oneself.

Guru Gobind Singh- the tenth Sikh guru, creator of khalsa, through his values and thoughts has tried developing human values towards each other.

Elon Musk- the man with every solutions has been creating an world with his scientific imaginations and inspiring others to become the best and the do the things you thought to be impossible.

[lavipost39]

Me, My Shelf And I: Celebrating The Guardians Of Books | Verve Magazine

Me, My Shelf And I: Celebrating The Guardians Of Books | Verve Magazine

Library

Illustrations by Harjyot Khalsa

“Of all the professions in the world, why would he want to be a librarian?”

But I’d like to imagine that all readers have, like me, dreamed of becoming one at some point. Very few of us, however, end up living our dreams….

The ambition to be a…

[loladcr11]

Singh

“Cuando tus dudas se desvanezcan, tus temores desaparecerán.” Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji

¿No os ha pasado que en una determinada época te llegan toda clase de  imagines de un mismo tema? Eso es lo que  me está ocurriendo a mí. Todo comenzó con una película donde uno de los protagonistas era un médico Singh, y luego otra película más de un camarero Singh, anuncios comerciales con un kesh…