I have observed that Sikhs have not been able to project Philosophy of Guru Nanak across world knowing well that Guru Nanak is the Forerunner of Renaissance. Modern world is an era of communications and we are yet to adopt the latest publicity technology. Professionals are hired by Governments, leading firms and even religious organisations to reach to the people. Radio, TV, Films, Books, Museums, Exhibitions are attracting attention of every section and age group of society.
Many Sikhs in their individual pursuit have brought wonders in promotion of Sikhi though they are counted on fingers. I have tried to make a search of them.
- Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany, worldwide known as “Father of Fiber Optics” is a pioneer in this field who took the initiative in organising Sikh Exhibitions. For the first time on the 300 years of the birth of Khalsa in 1999, Dr. Kapany organised an Iconic Exhibition called the ‘Arts of The Sikh Kingdom’ in Victoria-Albert Museum, London. This was a unique endeavour to reach to the people through Art. The Exhibition later moved to Canada in the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto and in Asia Museum, San Francisco, USA. He gifted 5 Lac. Dollars in 1999 to the Asian Museum in San Francisco to establish a Sikh Gallery and donated 100 Sikh art objects and artifacts from his personal collections. On 27 October 2022, a special function was organised in that Museum when an enlarged Gallery named after his wife Satinder Kaur was inaugurated. S. Harjit Singh Sajjan, the then Defence Minister, Canada, Montek Singh Ahluwalia and I, (Tarlochan Singh) were present along with many International delegates. Dr. Kapany also established Sikh Foundation which has been promoting Sikh Artists and Authors and publishing Sikh Literature. His daughter Kiki Kapany is now heading the organisation and keeping the torch brighter.
- A group of devoted Sikh philanthropists (Dr. Amrik Singh Chatha, Sohan Singh Chaudhary, Gurdeep Singh Malik, Gurpreet Singh Ahuja) decided to set up a Sikh Gallery in National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. Paul Michael Taylor, Curator of the Museum was kind enough to give full support and guidance. I (Tarlochan Singh) was present at a colourful inaugural function held in 2004 A.D. For the first time large number of world tourists could have a glimpse of Sikh history in the world’s largest Museum in capital of America.
- Dr. Parvinderjit Singh Khanuja, an Indian born American medical oncologist is recognised for his contribution to promote Sikh heritage in Taxes State of America. He funded and founded Khanuja Art Sikh Gallery in Phoenix in 2017. This is one of the only two permanent Sikh Art Galleries in USA. Thousands of visitors everyday learn about the Sikh history. Dr. Khanuja has recently published two table books “Splendour of Punjab Heritage “and “Pashmina Jewels”.
- S. Baljit Singh Chadha is a prominent Indo-Canadian businessman based in Montreal, Canada. He has established a Sikh Art Gallery at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in 2022. This is the first permanent Sikh Gallery in Canada. He has been adding new Artifacts and other historical objects. A record number of 2 Lakh visitors come there annually and learn about Sikh history.
- I must recognise the efforts of 82 years old, S. Suresh Bhalla who had a successful carrier in major International Banks in organising the Arts of Sikh Kingdom Exhibition in Canada in year 2000 A.D. This was for a short duration in Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto. Last year the entire Sikh community succeeded in signing a MOU with this Museum to establish a permanent Sikh Gallery. According to S. Bhalla the leading Sikh Philanthropists have already deposited 21 million Dollars against the 25 million Dollars project which would be completed within two years.
- Bicky Singh is the Founder President of Sikhlens, one of the most influential Sikh Arts & Film Platforms in the World. After migrating from India he founded this in 2000 to promote Sikh Culture globally. He has been holding Sikh Arts and Film festivals in all countries Canada, USA, UK and India. Till now he has created about 600 Films and is continuing to build eco system with youth and universities worldwide. People wait for the Annual Calendar published by Sikhlens. He has Partnership with Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. He has been able to improve Sikh representation in main stream media. He started organising half day events which later grew into major International Sikh Film Festivals attended by thousands buying entry Tickets.
- S. Rajwant Singh in Washington DC succeeded in making a full-length film on Guru Nanak from Hollywood Studios, America. He has recently announced another Sikh Film. He has good connections in Vatican and White House.
- Teji Bindra whose family has funded Guru Nanak International Interfaith Award with Hofstra University is the Chairman of Sikh Art & Culture Society, New York. Every year they host large number of Americans who produce short documentaries on Sikhs. I have attended their annual functions and have found that the movement is very popular. I also add here that Vikas Khanna the world known Chef (born in Amritsar) has produced a film ‘Holy Kitchen’ highlighting Langar in Golden Temple. This film is screened in most of the educational Institutions in America.
- There is a very precious hidden treasure lying in Dome which used to be residence of Yogi Bhajan in Espanola, USA. Yogi had very rich followers in various countries and they used to gift him rare objects and he himself was fond of collecting Sikh Artifacts. I have the pleasure of going through all objects of which a proper list was prepared during his lifetime. This can become a most popular Sikh Gallery in New Mexico which is already a Tourist destination of America.
