The sky feels somewhat different this morning, as my eyes stare out into the wilderness. There is not a single ray of sunlight to be seen. I wonder whether the rays have succumbed to some grave illness or are they simply, hiding from me today.
The Cows too, they cannot be seen, nor the rainbirds. There is no melody sung this morning, there is simply nothing, beyond those dark clouds up in the sky.
But one need only to push away those dark clouds, clouding the mind, clouding thoughts and actions. One must set oneself free from bondage.
The world came together in remembrance of the 401th coming of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Jee Maharaj alias the 9th Nanak.
‘The Janamsakhis, tell us that Guru Nanak as a boy collected his friends and asked them to chant God’s name and led others in hymn-singing. This gave joy both to him and his comrades. When he grew up, he made friends with a local minstrel called Mardana who was nice years senior to him. Guru Nanak got a Raban from a craftsman named Firanda for Mardana.’
Gobind S. Mansukhani
(Essential Postulates of Sikhism)
Singh Sahib Ji Bhai Harpal Singh Ji, Head Granthi Sri Fatehgarh Sahib referred to how the Raag was delivered by Bhai Mardana and the Pavitar Shabadh by Guru Nanak and re-iterated at how both came in unison providing delight and peace to both soul and mind.
On the topic of Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, one will find it of some interest that Maharaja Karam Singh (1798-1845) was an individual who had the Gurudwara rebuilt, whom in the annals of Sikh History is perhaps seen with some question over activities relating to the first anglo Sikh war.
At work, an individual whose paths crossed with mine on the day of Gurpurab, a religious education teacher at secondary level spoke with me regarding his research trips with pupils to the SGSSG, Guru Nanak Road, Southall, an asthan I visited on Sunday morn.
He recalled that the sevadaar ‘on-tour’ duty donned an England t-shirt to which the children found peculiar - a turbaned individual with a flowing beard donning a football shirt, surely not?
Which comes to this debate about nation states & the Sikh & the Sikhs loyalties, quite a hot topic amongst many Sikhs and also perhaps regarding the sentiment behind reinventing or the already invented narrative regarding Guru Sahib’s Shaheedi being solely for Bharat.
Dr. Jagjit S. Chohan, a figure I have written quite exhaustively about campaigned for a Radio Transmitter to be placed at Sri Darbar Sahib, Sri Amritsar at the behest of U.K. Sikh Sangat, so they too could profit.
And my Father recalls that during the early 80's, the first VHS film of Prof Darshan Singh, Former Jathedar Sri Akaal Takht, singing Gurbani was released, and for many a Sangat, this was perhaps the first time they had heard Kirtan sung in such a way. Father tells me that they were often selling out very quick of the Simran VHS Tapes. being able to tune in to most of the kirtan from Sri Sees Ganj Sahib & at the Red Fort; the spectacles was most amazing, though more soul enriching had I been present, though hopefully for the 450th Parkash Purab I shall be there!
The first ever Sikh history post I had ever written was in relation to the Prakash Purab of Guru Sahib on behalf of an organisation titled the Sikh Student’s Federation (Aston University). Factions have always existed through Sikh period, whether it be during the Misl Period, or to the Akali Dal post the death of Master Tara Singh, with the Sant Faction, a Pheruman Faction and a faction both involving Sirdar Kapur Singh & S. Gian S. Rarewala - which was unfortunately short lived due to the ferocity of two main protagonists. Though unfortunately the SSF (Aston) Branch fell through and has now been disbanded, all was not in vain as I'm sure the future will tell me.
Having video called my Mother yesterday evening, we discussed the geographical location of Sri Sees Ganj Sahib in relation to Sri Rakab Ganj and one wonders what was going through beloved Bhai Jaitha Jee’s mind upon the travel...
Giani Bakshish Singh Ji, Founder General Secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal, a pioneer of the Sikh Homeland Project breathed his last on April 22nd 1982, his loss was a big shock to the Sikh Nation. 2022 marks Giani Ji's 40th Barsi.
On Sunday, I made my way to the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick, a Gurdwara where Giani Bakshish Singh was the first elected General Secretary.
The Vaisakhi Open Airs Celebration was most spectacular, the sun was shining and the ballads sung were sung with so much ferocity and bravery, it felt as if the scene of Amar Shaheed Bhai Kabal Singh Jee & Jathedar Sri Akaal Takht, Bhai Ranjit Singh was running live.
As always, meeting fellow companions, not met since university days was always a delight.
Having driven to the Park Rd Gurdwara; I wasn’t totally sure whether the asthan was open; but it was. It sometimes feels that we as Sikhs have so much dispensable income; that we waste it away on non-necessities, especially when it comes to mega construction programmes!
But having entered this particular Gurdwara, It seemed as though I was transported to my junior school years, and it reminded me of the local Walsall Gurdwara to which I remember very little, but I do remember fragments of community & togetherness which one will perhaps not feel if one visits now.
My Parents recall how in the early years, everybody knew everybody but now, the Sangat has completely changed and that close-knit community has departed, whose descendants perhaps do not value the gift of Kirtan and Simran as much as their predecessors.
Whilst entering the Asthan, my ears heard the pavitar shabads of Guru Arjan as part of Sri Sukhmani Sahib being sun on the loudspeaker with drive and love.
Having hoisted my shoes on the rack. I walked towards the Darbar Sahib. The Gurdwara itself is only one floor, with the Langar hall, kitchen & office towards the front and Darbar Sahib to the rear. Having entered the Darbar Sahib and greeted the Guru with a Gurufateh, I proceeded to take sit cross legged amongst my sisters/mother like individuals.
Twenty to thirty women of Afghan Descent reciting Sri Sukhmani Sahib Ji. When I think back to the Gurdwara & my time in Darbar Sahib. It was all just so beautiful.
‘Guru Arjun, the author of this eternal song, seems to have chosen this name purposely to stress the belief that the mani (gem) may be elusive and a myth but this one based on the recitation of nam and produced by him in the form of this composition, is real, within the reach of every seeker, and has the potency to provide one’s heart as great a comfort and tranquility as the fabulous gem is supposed to do.’
Guru Arjan and His Sukhmani
(Madanijit Kaur)
Gurdwara Complexes are often torn apart in the name of renovations & modernisation and here was a functional Gurdwara where the Darbar Sahib and the Sangat was the most important, something perhaps forgotten in the larger institutions/gurdwaras.
During this short period it felt like I had transported in time, I guess time travelling really is possible and also travelling beyond the ocean...
Till the next time :)
Simranjeet S. Rahi
Week Ending April 23rd
‘the days, the weeks and months are flying away, never, ever to return.
'i write these above words, moulded finely into sentences to serve as a reminder, that the world is magnificent as is the creator, and places visited, places described, thoughts thought, and individuals met, will always form the bedrock of my memory, well, I hope and, if I ever succumb to dementia, well here rests my memory.’
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