Freed

Here's a quick definition fom Alka Pande's 'Folk Music and Musical Instuments of Punjab' (Mapin 1999) for you MahaKaal Singh!

Oh and before 'tSingh' Baba ji jumps in - yes that is a 'typo' it should read 'Udasi' not 'Usadi' :wink:

Gurfateh !

That's a good question Niranjana and tSingh - and one I 've often wondered about.

The 'Sanatan' group of websites always quoted Bhai Vir Singh's version giving page references etc. but then would also say rather archaically that they had been "expurgated" by Bhai Vir Singh - how could they quote them if they had been expurgated ?

Anyway here is the oft quoted Sukha and roasting 'Maha Prashad' passage.

The version in Bhai Vir Singh, the Buddha Dal version and a translation from the 'Sanatan' websites (sarbloh.info I think ?) - looks pretty much the same to me.

*From- Bhangoo Rattan Singh Shaheed Kirt - Pracheen Panth Prakash - Sanpadit, Bhai Sahib Dr. Vir Singh - Bhai Vir Singh Sahit Sadan N. Delhi - (1998 edition) (originally published 1914 Vazir Hind Press Amritsar)

page 211-212

*From - Pracheen Panth Prakash , Steek , Shaheed Bhai Rattan Singh Ji Bhangoo Vala (Bhag 2) - Teekakar - Singh Sahib Baba Santa Singh Ji 'Akali' - Jathedar 96 Crori Buddha Dal Panjan Takht - Shromani Panth Akali Buddha Dal Panjavan Takht Chalda Vahir, Punjab Hindustan - 2000

Vol 2 page 31-32

English Translation from the websites

Subegh Singh, is acting as a Moghal agent and has gone to meet the Khalsa Singhs:

'Where the Khalsa had made its base, battle drums played and battle standards fluttered in the air.

He [subegh Singh] arrived where the Singhs were.

Ahead the Khalsa was gathering.

Scriptures were being read and musical instruments played.

Cannabis was being ground and meat roasted.

Some Singhs massaged the horses, while others cleaned their weapons.

Some fired their arrows, some their muskets and others were spinning chakars [quoits].

Some Singhs massaged other Singhs while some fanned the congregation.

Others fetched water from far which helped the Singhs to bathe.

Some were sharing [food] others not [i.e. eating alone].

Running around, the Singhs did service.'

('Pracheen Panth Prakash', by Shaheed Rattan Singh Bhangu, Expurgated by Bhai Vir Singh, , Pa.212)

Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

Have been looking for some older stuff - here are some prints that might interest you - I think they were copied from eBay ( not bought by me - out of my league!) I don't know their age - but they are interesting

Pakhawaaj

Sarangi

sarinda

Dholak

Instrument collections

Freed

double post

Isn't this a case of the old hackneyed phrase "it is the victors who write history" -- the definition of a terrorist can be as wide or narrow as you wish.

If India is aggrieved by pictures of Parmar - wouldn't the UK be aggrieved by paintings of the 'Killer' Bhagat Singh in the Indian Parliament , wouldn't Canadians be aggrieved by paintings of Meva Singh in Vancouver's Khalsa Diwan Society Gurdwara ? (Meva Singh killed William C. Hopkinson , a Canadian Immigration official, seen as a Spy by many Indians and instrumental in the Komagata Maru incident)

Wouldn't the families of Japanese and German Prisoners of War be aggrieved by India's glorification of Subash Chandra Bose and the INA who collaborated with the Japanese and the Nazis ?

What about Madan Lal Dhingra, Udham Singh and Kartar Sarabha aren't they terrorists ? but all their paintings hang in Indian Govt Buildings - the get out clause is always the carefully constructed 'Inquilaab ideology' and that they were fighting an undemocratic empire - but wasn't Punjab under direct rule throughout the 1980s?

Today's terrorists are tommorrow's leaders, a case in point is when members of Irgun — a militant Zionist organization, bombed Jerusalem's King David Hotel - HQ of the British Govt. of Palestine. The bomb killed 100 people it was ordered by Menachem Begin who would later become Prime Minister of Israel. Another case is that of the universally lauded Nelson Mandela - many seem to have forgotten why he was in prison.

Politics and the Media it's a dirty game - shades of grey and uncertainties

at the end of the day they are just photographs - where I live certain Muslim groups take it upon themselves to paint over any Large advertisement posters/billboards that they deem unsuitable - usually underwear advertisements or where models of either gender are showing 'too much ' flesh - is this what we want ?

Last time I looked Canada was not a state of India -Freedom of Speech and thought means everyone is entitled to their opinion - the local Sikhs of all opinions need to put their views in the media as well.

And finally the Canadian press need to stop with the 'All Sikhs are like this'

offensive rubbish - I mean all Canadians aren't baby seal killing blood thirsty hunters or Lumberjacks in checked shirts ('Suspenders and a bra' - sorry couldn't resist the 'Python' ref. ) who can't say 'about' but say 'aboot' - now are they ?

Gurfateh !

I'll have a look for older pictures of Saaj being crafted - I do have these modern photographs which show the fast disappearing instrument makers of Punjab.

The pictures may be modern but they are 'Timeless' - you can see the same tools, the same 'working posture' infact the only difference from the Keher Singh drawings is that the lathes and vices are made of cast metal rather than wood.

This is a picture of Pritam Singh of village Boparai Kalan (near Ludhiana) - he is the only Sarangi maker left in Punjab - and he only makes them in his spare time out of love for the Sarangi.

A Dhadh maker in Boparai Kalan

Narsingha makers in Amritsar

A street of instrument makers in Amritsar

Nagara maker in Amritsar

Piaru Lal an Algoza maker from Kartarpur (Jalandhar), a famous centre for wood craft

Gurdial Singh of Guru Nanak Music House, Jalandhar - a Tanti Saaj maker

* Pictures from 'Folk Music and Musical Instruments of Punjab' - Alka Pande - Mapin 1999

I'll look for some more - in the meantime enjoy these -- "shaheediyan" I'm loving the articles you're posting on SA - Keep them coming !

'Freed'

Gurfateh !

Here are some more Drawings of Punjabi Artisans and Craftsmen - this time they are Charcoal and Ink Drawings by J Lockwood Kipling ( Father of Rudyard Kipling) and Head of Lahore's Mayo School of Art.

It is interesting to compare the styles of Kapur and Keher Singh with that of Kipling.

In this picture - a folio from a Janamsakhi - painted in circa 1755 probably in West Bengal - we see the familiar 'flat' style of Indian Miniatures.The folio shows Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana visiting the home of Bhai Lalo , the carpenter. Note how the painter has carefully shown all the tools of a carpenter

In the Keher Singh drawing of a carpenter - the style is very much influenced by western styles of drawing - however attention is paid to the tools, just like in the older painting - this is perhaps because painters usually were artisans themselves - Keher Singh and Kapur Singh were Ramgarhia Sikhs - skilled in drawing from an early age - and very much aware of a craftsman's relationship with his tools and perhaps it is their way of underlining the central tenet of Sikhi , that of 'Kirt Karni' - The dignity of honest Labour.

In contrast Kipling's Drawings focus on the individual Artisans - they were drawn in the late 19th Century but have a very 'contemporary' modern feel about them.

They come from the collection of The Victoria and Albert Museum London - with thanks to Amandeep Madra Bhai Sahib ( You're a star ! ).

J. Lockwood Kipling

Drawings in charcoal, ink and watercolour on paper Late 19th Century - Amritsar

A Cloth Finisher

A Comb Cutter

A comb finisher

Dyeing Wool

Belt Weaver

A Loom for Shawls

A weaving Loom

Marble Inlay

Shawl embroidery

Loom Shuttle Maker

Spinning Silk Thread

A silver worker

Spinning the wool for Shawls

Winding Silk Thread

Enjoy !

Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

Gurfateh !

"All Roads Lead to Amritsar"

Here is an outstanding collection of Images - They will bring delight to your soul - you just cant help but smile when you see them !

They are from the Flickr sets of Michael Sheridan

I have posted only a few - click on the link to see them all - they really are excellent.

They were taken at Amritsar Railway Station and at Siri Darbar Sahib in October 2006

Enjoy!

The Full Amritsar Set - Please Click on link to see ( He's got some great shots from around the world as well )

http://www.flickr.com/photos/farflungfotos...57594558610927/

'Freed'

Gurfateh !

I have received a few messages about this drawing - so here are some details.

Gurfateh !

Here is a very fine painting of Rustam on his horse Rakhsh, slaying a dragon. Rustam is the Great Hero of the Persian Epic 'Shahnama' - written by Firdaus in around AD 1010.

In the painting dated around 1780 - you can see the white elephant of the Shah, which broke loose but was hit with a mace and killed by Rustam when he was just 10 years old.

Rustam is shown slaying a dragon, in his hand is a bifurcated sword - perhaps a Zulfikar sword ?, what makes this painting, perhaps a folio from a copy of the 'Shahnama', even more interesting is the presence of an image of Guru Nanak Sahib and perhaps an image of Guru Arjan Sahib.

The picture appears in B N Goswamy's book - but he gives no explanation of why the images of the Guru Sahiban, albeit drawn on the folio at a later stage, would appear on a painting of Rustum.

I have my own theory, it is just that a personal theory / idea - I believe perhaps this copy of the Shahnama was made for a Sikh. It must be remembered the Guru Sahiban were well versed in Persian - Guru Nanak had a Persian teacher and Guru Gobind Singh was well versed in all the Persian Classics as shown in the Zafarnama and their Bani. Persian was also the Court Language of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

I have been told that Guru Gobind Singh Ji's Baaj (Falcon) was named 'Rustam' - after the Hero of Firdaus' epic 'Shahnama' - taking all that into account perhaps the presence of the image of the Guru Sahiban is not that unusual.

What do you think ? - please add your views

Enjoy the Pictures

Rustum , Folio from Firdaus' 'Shahnama' - Circa 1780 - E India - Samrai Collection.

Detail - Guru Nanak Sahib

Detail - Guru Arjan Sahib

Detail - Rustam

The Shah's elephant

*Pictures from - 'I see no stranger - Early Sikh art and Devotion' - B N Goswamy , Caron Smith - RMA Mapin - 2006

Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

A Kuka

A portrait of a Namdhari Sikh - a Kuka by Kapur Singh - late 19th century

Note the shaster in the dastar, the lack of buttons on the chola/kurta - just a side opening, and the wollen mala and 'khazana' bag / satchel. Does anyone know what the fan like objects are in the foreground?

Royal

A sketch of Sardarni Sada Kaur - mother in law of Maharaja Ranjit Singh - said to be the 'Ladder' by which Ranjit Singh climbed to power. By Keher Singh (Coll. Central Sikh Mus. Amritsar)

Giani Gurmukh Singh - described as 'Head Granthi' of Maharaja Ranjit Singh - by Kehar Singh - (Cen Sikh Mus Amritsar )

Nihang Singhs

a portrait of 'Ajaib Singh Nihang' - said to be 100 years old - by Keher Singh mid 19th cent.

a Nihang and Nihangni -

An Akali Sikh - by Kapur Singh mid 19th cent.

A great study - note the 'backwards' flowing 'farla' - and the battle scars - missing teeth, the withered arm and the crutch as well as the ripped clothing - he has obviously seen some 'action' !

also note he is carrying all his possessions on his back and they are tied along with his shaster with woven string - a practice you still see today - see photograph below - does anyone know the 'secret' of tying those 'knots' - I got that little kirpan in Anandpur - but I still can't work out the knot - even though I watched the Nihang Singh tie it in front of me ! - any tips very welcome !

Artisans

A collection of drawings of Punjabi Artisans - I love these depictions and choice of subject.

A 'Tarkhan' - a Carpenter at work - by Keher Singh, Mid 19th Century ( Collection of Govt. Museum and Art Gallery. Chandigarh)

'Dyal Singh' - Comb Maker - By Kapur Singh - Mid 19th Century ( Govt. Mus. Chandigarh )

A 'Ghumiar' - Potter - 'Nanak Ghumiar'

A 'Chimba' - 'block printer'

'Roghan Kash' - an 'oil presser' - pressing Alsi, KhasKhas and Saron ( Linseed, poppy and mustard seeds)

A thread maker

A 'Die Stamper' (?) - note the beard is protected with a cloth

A 'Mochi' - cobbler

A 'julaha' - a weaver and weaveress 'Bhago'

Women cooking in a 'Tandoor' oven - Kehar Singh

Wandering 'Jogis' - 'Allah Ditta' (playing sarangi) and 'Ghulam Ali' ( on Ik tara) - 'Bawa Farid de Cheley' - disciples of Baba Farid - by Kehar Singh

Gurfateh !

Here is a collection of Drawings (Tinted brush drawings on paper) by Kehar Singh and Kapur Singh , painters who received the patronage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the Houses of Patiala and Kapurthala in the 19th century - they along with their descendents were honoured as "Fakhr-e-Caum' (pride of the nation) for their outstanding work particularly for their embellishment of Siri Darbar Sahib.

Their paintings tended to have Sikh Themes - both religious and secular - I have have grouped them into 4 threads - 'Royal', 'Nihangs' 'Artisans' and 'Kuka Singh'.

A Self Portrait of Keher Singh

Kapur Singh

The Pictures come from;

Punjab Painting - R P Srivastava - Abhinav 1983

Marg - Vol 54 No. 4 June 2003

The Sikhs - T S Randhawa - Prakash - 2000

I See No Stranger - B N Goswamy Caron Smith - RMA Mapin - 2006

Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

A Great 'Old School' Film featuring Mundri Lal singing 'Mahi Fauji'

A tale of a soldier's return - his lover sings of her preparation for his return , as she adorns herself with 'Sola shingaar'

Beautiful!

Mundri Lal -

Accompanists

Voice: Mehar Chand Mastana

Dholak: Roshan Lal

Matka: Desh Raj

Tumbi & Chimta: Mundri Lal

Mundri Lal - Contact Details

MUNDRI LAL

Vill- Jujarnagar Tandiya

Po- Behlulpur

Dis- Ropar (Teh- Mohali)

Punjab, India

Ph:91-0-9316012108

Here is the Link

http://www.beatofindia.com/rmfiles/videofi...dri-vid-isdn.rm

Great Stuff !

Freed

Gurfateh !

You can already see the ugly evidence of air conditioning at Siri Darbar Sahib

The Darshani Deori - look at the left side above the wooden doors - is this what we have to look forward to ?

If they must have AC, why not use the portable type units you can get, rather than hacking into the walls?

I was always told that the construction and position of the Harimandir - surrounded by water, 'Damp' lime structure with the gold plating reflecting the heat away - helped to cool the building.

But I guess the SGPC knows better ! - make your voices heard on the UKPHA site - no more bodge jobs !

http://www.punjabheritage.org/material-her...emple-2704.html

Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

It is a small world - Lassara pind is the 'Post Office' ( as in V & PO of Punjabi addresses) and next door village of my Dad's Naankey and his birthplace ( My Grandmother's village)

My Grandad still visits a 'Ved' in Lassara - for any ailments - probably the reason while he is still fighting fit in his late 90s .

Gurfateh !

I was going through some old videos and found this - it's from the outstanding BBC TV geneaology show 'Who Do You Think You Are?' - where UK celebrities trace their families and ancestors.

In this episode Meera Syal - from 'Goodness Gracious Me' and 'The Kumars ....' traces her family roots - Her Mother is Sikh and her Father a Punjabi Hindu.

Her father's father was Tek Chand Syal a noted Journalist and Communist , Her Mother's father was Phuman Singh Uppal who took part in the Jaito Morcha.

The film is fascinating - whether you are interested in Sikh History, Punjabi History or punjabi Village history - it's all covered here.

Meera goes to her father's ancestral home in Lassara (Dist Jalandhar) - you see her inspect a 'Fard' or the records that show property rights in a village and she then goes to Hardwar to see the Ancestral Records kept there - you see the old 'Vehi' or roll of family records.

She also visits her mother's village Bassian (Dist Ludhiana) and visits Jaito Gurdwara . She then goes to Amritsar and finds records noting Phuman Singh's role in the Jaito Morcha in the Sikh Reference Library Amritsar. There is great archive footage and photographs and some really poignant pictures of the Shaheeds of the Morcha.

It's all great stuff - well worth a look

"Who Do You Think You Are ?" - first shown BBC 2 UK in 2004

Link :

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=...57&hl=en-GB

Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

Gurfateh !

I don't know if this thread is the appropriate place to post these , but here goes anyway - I thought you may like to see them.

I feel they show the affection and links among the various traditions.

The articles are from a souvenir edition of Panjab Times UK (Sant Rarewala Ank) 3 Sep 1976.

The first is by Surjit Singh 'Sewapanthi' - Dera Sant Baba Amir Singh Ji Maharaj Gali Satowali Katra Karam Singh (Amritsar)

The second is a 'Kavita' by Sri Sant Hari Kamal Ji Haridwar Walian

Sant Isher Singh Ji and Sant Kishen Singh Ji

Sant Kishen Singh ji receives a dastar from Jathedar Mohinder Singh ji after the 'Satarey' de Bhog of Sant Isher Singh ji in 1975

Hope you enjoyed them

Freed

Niddar Singh - a potential H bomb !

Love ya Baba tSingh !

'Dont be told what you want dont be told what you need

There's no future no future no future for you'

On the topic of arabic calligraphy - can anyone decipher the script in this painting of Guru Nanak ?

It shows an angel showering gold on Guru Nanak - the painting was recently sold at Bonhams for over £6,500 pounds (it was in the same sale as the Duleep Singh marble bust that went for over £1,500 000)

'Guru Nanak - Deccan, circa 1840'

Many Thanks

Freed

Gurfateh !

ਜੁਗੋ ਜੁਗ ਅਟਲ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦਾ ਸਚ ਖੰਡ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਵਿਖੇ ਹੋਇਆ ਅਜ ਦਾ ਫੁਰਮਾਣ

Jugo Jug Atal Satguru Siri Guru Granth Sahib Da Sach Khand Siri Harimandir Sahib Vike Hoya Aj Da Furman

Have you ever wondered who writes the Amrit Vela 'Hukumnama' that is displayed in the parkarma of Siri Harimandir Sahib and also shown on Alpha etc Punjabi TV ?

Well wonder no more here is a picture of the Bhai Sahib with the beautiful handwriting ;

The complete Hukumnama / Furman

Guru Arjan Sahib - Ang 717

ਟੋਡੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥

todee mehlaa 5.

Todee, Fifth Mehl:

ਮਾਈ ਚਰਨ ਗੁਰ ਮੀਠੇ ॥

maa-ee charan gur meethay.

O mother, the Guru's feet are so sweet.

ਵਡੈ ਭਾਗਿ ਦੇਵੈ ਪਰਮੇਸਰੁ ਕੋਟਿ ਫਲਾ ਦਰਸਨ ਗੁਰ ਡੀਠੇ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

vadai bhaag dayvai parmaysar kot falaa darsan gur deethay. rahaa-o.

By great good fortune, the Transcendent Lord has blessed me with them. Millions of rewards come from the Blessed Vision of the Guru's Darshan. ||Pause||

ਗੁਨ ਗਾਵਤ ਅਚੁਤ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਕਾਮ ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਬਿਨਸੇ ਮਦ ਢੀਠੇ ॥

gun gaavat achut abhinaasee kaam kroDh binsay mad dheethay.

Singing the Glorious Praises of the imperishable, indestructible Lord, sexual desire, anger and stubborn pride vanish.

ਅਸਥਿਰ ਭਏ ਸਾਚ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਾਤੇ ਜਨਮ ਮਰਨ ਬਾਹੁਰਿ ਨਹੀ ਪੀਠੇ ॥੧॥

asthir bha-ay saach rang raatay janam maran baahur nahee peethay. ||1||

Those who are imbued with the Love of the True Lord become permanent and eternal; birth and death do not grind them down any more. ||1||

ਬਿਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਭਜਨ ਰੰਗ ਰਸ ਜੇਤੇ ਸੰਤ ਦਇਆਲ ਜਾਨੇ ਸਭਿ ਝੂਠੇ ॥

bin har bhajan rang ras jaytay sant da-i-aal jaanay sabh jhoothay.

Without the Lord's meditation, all joys and pleasures are totally false and worthless; by the Kind Mercy of the Saints, I know this.

ਨਾਮ ਰਤਨੁ ਪਾਇਓ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਹੂਨ ਚਲੇ ਸਭਿ ਮੂਠੇ ॥੨॥੮॥੨੭॥

naam ratan paa-i-o jan naanak naam bihoon chalay sabh moothay. ||2||8||27||

Servant Nanak has found the jewel of the Naam; without the Naam, all must depart, cheated and plundered. ||2||8||27||

Vaheguru ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh !!

Lakh Lakh Vadhaai to all the Cyber Sangatan on this 308th Vaisakhi !!

May Guru Sahib shower you all with Love and Blessings

To celebrate Vaisakhi and the continued "Guru Khalsa Ji Ke Bol Baale"

here are some images from Hola Maholla , Anandpur Sahib, March 2007

Enjoy the pictures !

**Photographs - Amit Bhargava - March 2007**

My Favourite images - adorable intergenerational shots

'Baba and Poti'

'Father and Son'

and finally no 'Mela' is complete without JALEBEEAN !

Hope you enjoyed the pictures

GurFateh

Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

A 'Macho' Punjabi Folk Classic

* From a different thread

http://www.sikhawareness.com/sikhawareness...p?p=79195#79195

But so good I think it deserves a separate thread of its own

Mohd Sadiq - sings the Kissa of Sucha and Kukar - 'Sucha Singh Soorma'

A punjabi tale of Love, Honour, Betrayal and Revenge

Enjoy !

Click link to see video ;

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=...59&hl=en-GB

Freed