Latest news with #Gurmukhi
The Star
2 days ago
- General
- The Star
S'ban gurdwara honours three Sikhs for service to faith, community
Dr Parim (left) and Arjan (right) with the recipients (from second left) Manmohan, Saran and Amar. THREE Sikhs were honoured for their decades of service to the community by Gurdwara Sahib Seremban (GSS) in Negri Sembilan. The octogenarians were each given a robe and letter of honour, as well as a memento by GSS president Arjan Singh. 'Their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in preserving Sikh history and heritage are commendable, as they have helped our small community keep in touch with our roots. 'We salute them for their commitment and dedication,' he said of the three, who were recognised at a special ceremony at GSS. They were 83-year-old planter Manmohan Singh, retired government servant Saran Singh Sidhu, 80, and housewife Amar Kaur, 81. Present to do the honours was GSS trustee and former president Datuk Dr Parim Singh. Arjan said that apart from spending some RM3mil to build a gurdwara complex on his land in Kuala Klawang in Jelebu, Manmohan had also set up a gallery displaying many historical and traditional items related to the community, such as cooking utensils and musical instruments. 'Manmohan had been running a smaller gurdwara adjacent to his house for decades but decided to build a bigger one a short distance away, so Sikhs could carry out their religious obligations in a more conducive environment,' Arjan explained. Manmohan, he said, also has in his possession a over-a-century-old Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Sikh holy book, which they consider as their living guru. Saran authored a book on Sant Baba Sohan Singh, a Sikh who spent many years as a granthi (priest) in Gurdwara Sahib Melaka. Saran has also written an illustrated history of Sikh gurdwaras in Malaysia and Singapore. He has additionally penned numerous articles and books on coins and paper currency. He is a foundation fellow of the Malaysia Numismatic Society and a fellow of London's Royal Numismatic Society. Arjan said Amar was honoured for teaching the Gurmukhi script to children and adults alike by holding classes at her home for almost 50 years. 'She first started holding classes in 1972. Through her efforts, many members of the community are able to read the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. 'Aunty Amar, as she is popularly known, is also instrumental in helping students prepare for the Punjabi language paper in public examinations, including SPM,' he said, adding that she had also contributed to Sikh youths in other ways. The trio's contributions, Arjan said, were exemplary and served as shining examples to present and future generations. 'Though no reward could truly match your selfless service to the Sikh community, please know that your works have created a positive and long-lasting impact,' he told them.
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First Post
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Netflix's 'Amar Singh Chamkila' actor Diljit Dosanjh fires long-time manager Sonali for financial irregularities, shocking details revealed
Both Singh and the singer are yet to break silence on the matter but the association has come to an end. read more Actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh has fired his long-time manager Sonali Singh after their decade long partnership. A report by Bollywood Hungama says the reason comes after Dosanjh discovered financial irregularities and misrepresentation of his name on various occasions. Both Singh and the singer are yet to break silence on the matter but the association has come to an end. Sonali was once quoted saying, 'None of this would have been possible without my best friend and incredible human, Diljit Dosanjh. Being a global manager is only possible because I had the privilege of working alongside a global artist of the decade. As I always say, everything I could do is because of you! Thank you for putting your trust in me.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Months after selling out stadiums across the globe on his music tour, Punjabi singer-star Diljit Dosanjh walked the Met Gala 2025 blue carpet in his debut dressed in a regal white ensemble in an apparent homage to the Maharaja of Patiala. The outfit was designed by American-Nepalese designer Prabal Gurung, who previously dressed Bollywood star Alia Bhatt for the fashion charity event held annually in New York at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Representing his Sikh roots, Diljit wore an ivory and gold sherwani, along with a tehmat, bejewelled turban adorned with a white 'kalgi' and a lion-headed, jewel-studded kirpan. He also flaunted a cape with the silhouetted map of Punjab and letters in the Punjabi script Gurmukhi embroidered on it. Diljit's team shared a series of videos of the Punjabi superstar's appearance at the gala on its official Instagram page. 'HISTORY #diljitdosanjh #metgala #diljit,' was the caption of one of the posts featuring the singer climbing down the stairs as he leaves the hotel for the Met ball.
Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
A House of Legacy: Arpana Caur on curating new galleries
At 70, artist Arpana Caur is charting new creative paths while reflecting on her five-decade artistic journey. One of India's leading contemporary painters, known for her evocative, figurative style and layered spiritual and social narratives, she has spent the past year curating four new permanent galleries at the Academy of Fine Arts and Literature in New Delhi, founded by her mother and author Ajeet Cour. These additions bring the total to seven galleries, showcasing her collection of Indian miniatures, folk art, her own works across mediums and a dedicated space honouring Ajeet Cour's literary legacy. Could you talk about the new permanent galleries? We had been envisioning these galleries for some time but the project gained urgency after last year's floods in Delhi, when several works in our collection were damaged due to water seeping into the premises. The gallery dedicated to my mother features handwritten manuscripts of many of her books in Gurmukhi, including her autobiography Khanabadosh. It also showcases her archival photographs, memorabilia and awards. Designed by architect Gautam Bhatia, the two galleries housing my work are built around the design of 'forests'— encouraging visitors to wander through a maze of panels that trace my artistic practice. Among the works on view is the very first painting I made at the age of nine, inspired by an Amrita Sher-Gil work. These are works I kept with me over the years, and now want to share with a wider audience. Another gallery showcases your collection of miniatures. How did this collection come together? I've always been drawn to miniatures. As a child, I cherished weekend visits to Sapru House for children's films and to the National Museum, where my mother, sister and I would spend hours studying miniatures. As soon as I began selling my own art, I started collecting miniatures. In 1980, I traded my painting Mother and Daughter for Pratapaditya Pal's Court Paintings of India published by Kumar Gallery, as I couldn't afford it otherwise. That work later sold for Rs 9 lakh at an auction. Over the years, I exchanged several of my paintings for miniatures, including a collection of Sikh miniatures I acquired from MS Randhawa's nephew in Delhi. I made a conscious effort to collect works from different schools, with Pahari and Persian miniatures being the oldest. These miniatures have also deeply shaped my own work. For instance, I incorporated architectural elements from Basohli miniatures and used their vibrant colours to divide my canvases. I also borrowed the concept of Narikuncher from Persian miniatures, where several figures form a unified composition. A Sikh miniature that depicts Guru Nanak with Bhai Lalo, who earned his living by honest work, became the basis of my canvas Sachcha Sauda (2010). In your childhood, what were the influences that shaped your artistic journey and what inspired you to pursue art? As a child, I learned to play the sitar, I wrote poetry but painting brought me the greatest joy. Our neighbour, Surinder Chadha, was a graphic artist and I would spend hours at his studio asking questions. We had a library full of books and writers such as Shiv Batalvi, Amrita Pritam, Krishna Sobti and Khushwant Singh often visited it. From the age of seven, I studied Gurmukhi and immersed myself in Punjabi literature as well as the works of Sufi poets like Baba Farid and Bulleh Shah. Inspired by my mother, I initially aspired to be a teacher but she encouraged me to follow my passion for art. Despite studying English at Lady Shri Ram College, I continued painting with no formal training. In 1974, I participated in two group shows in Delhi — one organised by the German Embassy and another curated by MF Husain. Bhavesh da (Sanyal) encouraged me to plan my first solo show in 1975, and the rest followed. In 1979, I received a scholarship for an advanced course in painting at St Martin's School of Art in London but I was so homesick that I returned after two months. You have depicted the trauma of Partition and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in your works. Could you talk about that? Although I didn't witness the Partition first-hand, I felt its pain through the stories of my grandparents and mother. We still read the Guru Granth Sahib that my maternal grandfather brought with him when he fled Lahore in 1947. The 1984 genocide, however, was something I experienced. Living in Neeti Bagh, I remember seeing clouds of smoke rising from South Extension. A taxi stand near our house was set on fire. Our landlord took us to court, claiming my mother, Ajeet Cour, a 'prominent sardaarni', would make his house a target. We were forced to leave. For months, we stayed in my mother's childhood friend's drawing room in Munirka. My mother and I would distribute blankets and medicines in riot-affected colonies and refugee camps. It was during this time that she wrote Khanabadosh, which won her the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1986. I expressed my own trauma through painting. Though few were interested, I had to depict what I had witnessed. I remember Mrs (Roshan) Alkazi asking, 'Why paint these horrific scenes? You should create happier works.' I replied, 'I've seen it, and I had to paint it.' Mr (Ebrahim) Alkazi, however, bought some works from the series and exhibited them. How central has social commentary been to your artistic practice? I was raised to believe in equality and the importance of sharing wealth. As an artist, it felt natural to reflect these values in my work. The 'Maid Servant' series in the '70s came from observing the imbalance between mistress and servant — one with everything, the other with nothing. Some works from the series were featured in Lotus, a magazine edited by Faiz Ahmed Faiz. It was a true honour. A visit to Vrindavan in the late '80s compelled me to portray the plight of widows in a place so closely tied to Krishna and the gopis. When I heard of Maya Tyagi's brutal rape by the police, I couldn't stay silent. I responded with the 'Rakshak hi Bhakshak' series. At my first solo show in Mumbai at the Jehangir Art Gallery in 1980, MF Husain bought one of these works. My mother and I had spent the whole night installing all 20 works and, after a brief rest, we returned in the morning to learn that Husain had already made a purchase. He was always generous in encouraging young artists. Much later, I was touched to find that painting in his museum in Bengaluru. Several of your themes have continued over the years. Many of them have endured because I feel they are still relevant. For instance, the environment series I began in the early '80s feels more urgent than ever. During Covid, I reimagined The Last Supper with the world upside down, a reflection on how we have disrupted nature. Recurring motifs like the charkha, yogi and yogini continue to resurface in my work, each still rich with untapped meaning. Another long-standing concept — the cycle of day and night — has been with me for over 25 years. In this series, a yellow woman holds a thread while a dark woman cuts it — the scissors acting as a metaphor for time. Though galleries and dealers were initially sceptical of this motif, it earned me two affectionate nicknames: Satish Gujral called me Kainchi, and Mallika Sarabhai refers to me as Dhaga.
Hindustan Times
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Diljit Dosanjh beats Zendaya and Rihanna to top Best Dressed poll at Met Gala 2025; Shah Rukh Khan not on list
Diljit Dosanjh made history when he debuted at this years Met Gala and walked the stairs of metropolitan museum of Art in New York. The singer-actor made heads turns with his Maharaja inspired look, designed by Prabal Gurung. Now, Diljit has been voted the Best dressed celeb at the world's biggest fashion event in a poll by Vogue, beating fashionistas like Zendaya and Rihanna. (Also read: Diljit Dosanjh's review of 'beautiful, very cute' breakfast post Met Gala will leave you in splits. Watch) The fashion magazine came out with its Best Dressed list as voted by the fans. A poll was conducted where the readers were asked to choose their favourite look from 307 different outfits from the red carpet. The Punjabi singer-actor, who represented Punjabi culture in a Prabal Gurung Sherwani, beat all the others to emerge as the Best Dressed. Diljit paid a homage to Maharaja Bhupinder Singh at Met Gala by wearing bespoke ivory sherwani, turban and exquisite jewellery which included an elaborate necklace. The outfit also had a ceremonial sword and a cape with the map of Punjab with Gurmukhi script. Diljit posted his look on Instagram and wrote, 'MAIN HOON ਪੰਜਾਬ 😇🙏🏽 #metgala. Inspired by The Theme of Black Dandyism, I Bring My Turban, My Culture & My Mother Tongue ' ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ' to The MET GALA. Thank You So Much Dear @prabalgurung @theannawintour @cartier @golecha_jewels @abhilashatd' A post shared by DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh) The second best on the list was South Korean rapper-singer S Coups who wore a gray Boss suit taking inspiration from Korean hanbok jacket. Diljit and Coups were followed by Hollywood star Zendaya who wore a Louis Vuitton suit, singer Teyana Taylor in Ruth E Carter outfit and popstar Rihanna in Marc Jacobs design. Next on the list were, Nicki Minaj in Thom Browne outfit, Shakira in Prabal Gurang design and Lewis Hamilton in Grace Wales Bonner. They were followed by Lisa in Louis Vuitton, and Sabrina Carpenter in Louis Vuitton. Shah Rukh Khan, who also made his debut at this year Met Gala, could not make it to the list.
Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
'50 craftsmen worked across 4 days': Go behind the scenes of the making of Diljit Dosanjh's Met Gala look by Prabal Gurung
Diljit Dosanjh didn't just attend the Met Gala this year—he made it a moment. The beloved Punjabi artist turned heads and set social media ablaze with his royal Punjabi outfit. Clad in a custom creation by designer Prabal Gurung and styled by Abhilasha Devnani, Dosanjh wore an ivory and gold sherwani with a twist. The traditional silhouette was elevated by a flowing cape, richly hand-embroidered with golden thread. It featured Gurmukhi script and the map of Punjab, stitched meticulously by a 'team of 50 artisans over four days,' according to Vogue India. Peacocks and roses were stitched along with French knot detailing on the silk cape. Completing his majestic look was a jewel-studded turban with a feather, an homage to royal headwear, and a heavy diamond necklace designed by Golecha's Jewels—reminiscent of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh's legendary Patiala necklace. On his wrist, a Panthère de Cartier watch added a sleek, modern contrast to the regal ensemble. A post shared by Golecha's Jewels (@golecha_jewels) But Dosanjh didn't stop at fashion. He added a meaningful cultural symbol in place of the Western dandy cane—carrying a lion-headed, jewel-encrusted kirpan. The 2025 Met Gala saw the highest number of Indian-origin celebrities at the event up untill now. Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan made a memorable debut at the Met Gala, becoming the first Indian male actor to attend the event. He wore a custom ensemble by Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, featuring a tailored, floor-length coat made from fine Tasmanian wool, accented with Japanese horn buttons. The look was completed with layered talismanic chains, a crystal-studded 'K' pendant, a diamond star brooch, multiple rings, and an 18k gold cane adorned with precious stones. Other stars like Priyanka Chopra, Kiara Advani and Isha Ambani also made their presence known.
