Sikh 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.

The Art and Culture of the Sikhs

Sikh art and culture is synonymous with that of the Punjab region. The Punjab itself has been called “India’s melting pot” , 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 ‘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 Harmander 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.

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  A frontispiece to the Dasam Granth.
• The Bardari of Ranjit Singh, built in the Hazuri Bagh.
  The Bardari of Ranjit Singh, built in the Hazuri Bagh.
• Nihang horsemen at the Hola Mohalla festival.
  Nihang horsemen at the Hola Mohalla festival.
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  Portrait of Maharajah Ranjit Singh by the familiar 2D style of the Imam Bakhsh Lahori school.
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  Gateway of the Ram Bagh, North-East of Amritsar; built by Maharajah Ranjit Singh.
• Nagar Kirtan during the Sikh Vasakhi festival.
  Nagar Kirtan during the Sikh Vasakhi festival.
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  The Sikh Order of Merit with a Portrait of Ranjit Singh, directly inspired by the French Légion d'honneur
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  A Sikh helmet from the late 18 century. Note the adaptation on the helmet’s crown to allow for a Sikh’s uncut hair.

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."

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 and Amrit and Rabindra Kaur Singh, is informed by their Sikhism and the current affairs of the Punjab.

• A Sikh woman in the traditional costume to perform the Gidha.
  A Sikh woman in the traditional costume to perform the Gidha.
• The Sikh diaspora art of Amrit and Rabindra Kaur Singh is informed by uniquely Sikh issues.
  The Sikh diaspora art of Amrit and Rabindra Kaur Singh is informed by uniquely Sikh issues.
• Punjabi cuisine of 'saag'(spinach) and rice.
  Punjabi cuisine of 'saag'(spinach) and rice.
• Bhangra, the traditional folk dance of the Punjab.
  Bhangra, the traditional folk dance of the Punjab.