Thursday 25 June 2009

Poem

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Below is a poem in tribute to Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

O Guru Gobind Singh Ji
How can we ever repay you

At the tender age of nine
you saw your father return to the lord divine

when i read about the events of Vasakhi 1699
many questions arise in this manmukh mind of mine

you asked the sangat for a head
there was an eerie silence as if they were all dead

That day five sikhs answered your call
they went on to become an inspiration for us all

You blessed us with amrit and the surnames Kaur and Singh
but look at us now, we more concerned about looking bling

you had planted the seeds which would cut loose the shackles of slavery
Sikhs would not only be known for saintliness but also for their bravery

you sacrificed your sons, all four
but did not mourn, for you were the spiritual father of thousands more


when your earthly journey was almost complete
you placed us all at shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji's feet

O Guru Gobind Singh Ji
How can we ever repay you.

Acapella Jatha

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Acapella Jatha attended the local Gurdwara, and in their unique style of kirtan kept the sangat mesmerised for the duration. It was so refreshing to see the sangat sit quietly and listen to kirtan.

They were even asked to do an encore of one of the shabads. Amazing stuff.

Apologies for the not so great quality of the recording, we are still testing the recording equipment.

Below is the recording of the kirtan program




One of the Shabads by Bhagat Ravidas which was recited by the Jatha in the recording above is as below:

DnwsrI Bgq rivdws jI kI

dhhanaasaree bhagath ravidhaas jee kee

Dhanaasaree, Devotee Ravi Daas Jee:

<> siqgur pRswid ]

ik oa(n)kaar sathigur prasaadh

One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:

hm sir dInu dieAwlu n qum sir Ab pqIAwru ikAw kIjY ]

ham sar dheen dhaeiaal n thum sar ab patheeaar kiaa keejai

There is none as forlorn as I am, and none as Compassionate as You; what need is there to test us now?


bcnI qor mor mnu mwnY jn kau pUrnu dIjY ]1]

bachanee thor mor man maanai jan ko pooran dheejai 1

May my mind surrender to Your Word; please, bless Your humble servant with this perfection. 1

hau bil bil jwau rmeIAw kwrny ]

ho bal bal jaao rameeaa kaaranae

I am a sacrifice, a sacrifice to the Lord.


kwrn kvn Abol ] rhwau ]

kaaran kavan abol rehaao

O Lord, why are You silent? Pause

bhuq jnm ibCury Qy mwDau iehu jnmu qum@wry lyKy ]

bahuth janam bishhurae thhae maadhho eihu janam thumhaarae laekhae

For so many incarnations, I have been separated from You, Lord; I dedicate this life to You.


kih rivdws Aws lig jIvau icr BieE drsnu dyKy ]2]1]

kehi ravidhaas aas lag jeevo chir bhaeiou dharasan dhaekhae 21

Says Ravi Daas: placing my hopes in You, I live; it is so long since I have gazed upon the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan. 21


Wednesday 24 June 2009

25 Years On...Still no Justice!!!!!!!!!!

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On June 7th thousands of Sikhs from all over the UK gathered at Hyde Park and then marched towards Trafalgar Square. This is an annual event, but seeing as this was the 25th year there was an extra turn out for the event this year (which is ridiculous really, there should be a similar turn out every year).

It was great to see so many Sikhs getting together to remember the tragic events of 1984. We need more unity on all matters within our community. We as a community may feel that after 1984 we have weathered the tide and the worst is over, we may even think of burying the past. Lets not kid ourselves, theres still an anti Sikh agenda out there. Look at the events in the recent past - we've had the Dera Sacha Sauda fake Baba, the blog site about Sikh Girls, the arson attacks on UK Gurdwaras, and more recently the Austrian incident (which i will discuss later). These issues are still in our midst, and will continue to arise. We as a community need to face these challenges collectively, by putting our petty differences aside.

Back to the 1984 rally, theres been alot of conversations regarding what is achieved by this event and that we are still in the same place as we were 25 years ago in terms of getting justice. Theres even by comments by the Indian Premier to forget those events.

My thoughts and those of friends are that yes this protest march may not be ideal, and we may not be achieving anything in terms of justice etc, but in the absence of any other suggestions then its something that probably will need to continue until the youth step up and think of new ideas. I'd like to point out to the detractors, that look at the sangat that turns up, so many of them were not even born until after 1984, and yet they turn up to this event because they feel passionate about the subject. It was in all honesty great to see the youth participating in this event. The one thing i object to is burning of flags and effigies, which i believe is nonsense and achieves nothing what so ever. It was good to see the youth approaching the non sikhs in and around the area to explain what the march was about etc.. however i think we could do with some professional leaflets explaining the reason for the march.

In terms of forgetting those events. Then i'm afraid that is not an option. The sacrifices made by the thousands of Sikhs during the period of unrest in the Punjab, the desecration of our holiest sites should never be forgotten. We need to raise more awareness within the youth about the events. How can we forget when theres still thousands of innocent sikhs, who have spent their whole youth in prisons and are still languishing in there without any charges. Are these things we should forget, as we are comfy in the West?

My one concern is that those Shaheeds that stepped up to the challenge, and stood against the tyranny as the Sikhs of the Guru would, they laid down their lives, but what of their families? We have forgotten them, we need to do more for them. Many of these Shaheeds were the only earners in their households, they had family responsibilities like us all,they must have had doubts in their minds about what would happen to their loved ones afterwards. Yet they placed their full faith in Guru Ji and literally placed their heads on their palms and embraced martyrdom. But it is our collective responsibility to look after their families, and ensure they face no difficulties. If we do not, then its possible that the future Singhs and Singhnian will think twice before taking such steps.

As for the Khalistan issue, well i think if the issues of the Sikhs had been addressed by the Government, then this demand for Khalistan would never have arisen. Infact i'm sure if the Government made some positive attempts to punish those responsible it would also quell the calls for Khalistan a little, as the Sikhs would feel like part of India. All they want is to be recognised and treated equally.

Finally, if we all become Khalsa first then there aint no Maa da Laal who can stop Khalistan forming.

ART OF PUNJAB - more brilliant paintings

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Kanwar Singh Dhillon presents his latest offering, to commemorate the 25 years since the attack on Harmandir Sahib and Akaal Takht Sahib at Amritsar. The latest painting is dedicated to the 6th Nanak Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, aswell as those shaheeds that layed down their lives in the 1984 attacks.

There are many more paintings at Kanwars website. Please check out the Art Of Punjab website for more details.