iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
Curator Sonia Dhami’s 2nd exhibit ‘Nanaka Ive Janie: Contemporary Janamsakhi Paintings’ opened at the William H. Hannon Library, Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles on February 1. It’ll go on till 31 March 2025.
Janamsakhi’s are the legendary stories of the life of Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the founder of the Sikh faith. They offer a fascinating glimpse into the life and teachings of the Guru, blending historical narrative with sacred storytelling.
These texts, many times accompanied with illustrations, serve not only as biographical accounts but also as early examples of Sikh art.
The variations in style of these paintings—from distinct aesthetics of the Pahari, Kashmir, Murshidabad/Lucknow and Deccan—indicate the diverse artistic traditions and regional influences that have historically shaped their creation.
Contemporary artists, Keerat Kaur and Avtar Singh, are reinterpreting these traditional stories, infusing them with modern perspectives and contextualizing them within today’s moral, environmental, and ecological realities.
In response, poets Dr. Anju Bala and Jessi Kaur, pen stirring poetic verses that engage directly with some of the artworks, forming a unique dialogue between text and image. This dynamic continuation of the
Janamsakhi tradition bridges the past with the present, highlighting the profound truths conveyed through the teachings of Guru Nanak.
This exhibit is supported by Uberoi Foundation for Religious Studies Art and Tolerance 501 (c)(3).
The Opening celebration will be on Saturday, February 15, from 1-3pm at the Von der Ahe Suite. Celebrating Sikh Art! An afternoon of Sikh art, storytelling, and music with renowned activist and author Valarie Kaur and Friends, plus a special conversation with artist Keerat Kaur will take place.
Audiences can reimagine the sacred narratives of the first Sikh Guru through women’s experiences and mystical approaches to contemporary social, political, and environmental issues.
Valarie Kaur will enliven these stories with musical accompaniment that blends contemporary musical melodies by Sonny Singh on the trumpet, with traditional instrumentation by Muslim Rababi Qais Essar, and LMU Prof. Nirinjan Khalsa on the jori-pakhawaj.
Through stories, songs, and artistic reflections by Keerat Kaur, audiences will be invited into a space of wonder and contemplation to connect past with present and reimagine our collective futures.
Top Photo: (Left) The Seventh River (Chardīkalā/Rising Spirit), Avtar Singh, Gouache on paper, 2024, 17” X 11”, Sidhu Family Collection; (right) Bibi Nanki Protects Guru Nanak Keerat Kaur, Gouache and acrylics on card, 2021 16″ x 20″, Collection of the artist.