BY Safir Rammah

Date:31-07-2004

Source: BBC London

The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum complex and research organization. Composed of 16 museums and the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and 2 museums in New York City, the Smithsonian's exhibitions attract international visitors to get a glimpse into its vast collection numbering over 142 million objects. It has a distinction of the most visited museum of the world.

The museum inaugurated the Sikh Heritage Gallery on July 24, 2004, and opened its door to public on July 25. The exhibits will be revolving but the gallery was established for an indefinite period. The gallery was originally scheduled to open in 2005 but was completed earlier to coincide it with the Quad-Centennial Celebration of the First Installation of the Guru Granth in Amritsar. The Guru Granth was finally completed by Guru Gobind Singh who canonized it as the eternal Sikh Guru in 1708.

The exhibition explores the history, culture, and beliefs of the Sikh people, who follow a 500-year-old faith -- founded by Guru Nanak (1469-1539 A.D.) -- based on belief in One Spirit One World, equality, truthful living, and service. Their beliefs are contained in the scripture of the Guru Granth completion of which is also exhibited. Highlights included a model of the Golden Temple, paintings of events from life histories of Sikh gurus, and miniature-style paintings to introduce the complex and diverse social history and aesthetics of the Punjab region. There are paintings and artifacts of ceremonies depicting the thriving Sikh community of 23 million worldwide.

A special event was held night before the opening to auction several private works from artists that were featured in the Sikh Heritage Gallery. The artists donated half of the collected proceeds to the Sikh Heritage Foundation. Youth program exhibited the modern Sikh youth culture with live performances, dresses, dances, music, and language.

July 24 was full of programs beginning with a symposium on Sikh art and a gallery preview. The day was concluded with an evening gala, plenary speeches and dinner. Live performance of singing hymns from the Guru Granth by Dya Singh of Australia and his group thundered the auditorium. Dya Singh showed a special talent of involving the whole audience in this experience.

Among the speaker were included, Dr. Hans-Dieter Sues, Dr. Paul M. Taylor, Dr. Harinder Singh Sahuta, Sardar Sohan Singh Chaudhary, Amarpreet Singh Malik, Artists, Amrit and Rabindra Kaur Singh, Appana Kaur, Dr. Jeevan Singh Deol, Kirtan Singh Khalsa, Hanna Szczepanowski, and others.

There were several keynote speakers in the plenary session. Sirdar Tarlochan Singh, Member of Indian Parliament and Chairman of the Minority Commission of India, brought greetings from the Government of India. He characterized this event as a milestone in the Sikh history of North American. He was pleased to see the Sikh image drifting away from any glorification of militancy to the Sikh contributions toward serving humanity. He paid tributes to the Sikh scholar-historian, Max Arthur MaCauliffe, who opened the first Western gateway to study of Sikhism over a century ago. He wished Dr. Taylor to follow the MaCauliffe’s foot steps.

Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany and Amrik Singh Chatha both narrated the history of various efforts to preserve and promote Sikh art in North America. Mar. 12, 2003 saw the Asian Art Museum/Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture to dedicate a Sikh art gallery. This gallery was underwritten by the Sikh Foundation, a foundation dedicated to preserving and promoting Sikh art and literature. It is also instrumental in establishing Sikh Chairs in the University of California system.

One may recall that the Smithsonian Institution's Sikh Heritage Fund held its earlier Heritage event on June 17, 2002, at the National Museum of Natural History Rotunda, Washington D.C. The ambassadors from Pakistan and India participated besides many Sikh artists and academicians.

At the conclusion a meeting of Sikh academicians and philanthropists was held in Washington Hotel of Washington DC on July 25, 2004 to review plans for future promotion of the Sikh heritage. Over a dozens speakers made presentations.

Drs. Taylor and Deol outlined the future collection of Sikh art for exhibition in the Smithsonian. Rattanjit Singh Sondhe discussed TV and other media depicting Sikh culture. Nirmal Singh Nilvi presented proposals to revive visits to Gurdwara Kartarpur. Surinderpal Singh Mac and Raghbir Singh Baasi talked about the mistaken Sikh identity. Dr. Bhai Harbans Lal described a need for monumental project to make the town of Nader ready for the Tercentennial Celebration of the Canonization of Guru Granth as the Eternal Guru. He was pleased that the Mahrashtra Government has begun widening the roads and expansion of bus station as well as railway station. Harbhajan Singh spoke on the Sikh project with the National Geographic Association. Dr. Baljit Singh Sidhu described projects providing health services to the poor in Punjab. Several speakers were there to seek promotion of the Sikh Heritage Society which supports the programs at the Smithsonian.