Stephen Weir
Sunday, January 12, 2020
PAMA celebrates the 550th Anniversary of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikh Faith with a new exhibition and free admission for all.
Earlier this month, during one of the worst December storms on record, politicians, art lovers and members of the city’s Sikh community trudged through the snow for the opening of a very special exhibition.
Almost 100 people braved the elements to see the gallery doors open on a show filled with rare and valuable artefacts and artwork.
It happened at the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA) for the launch of The Sakhis of Guru Nanak: The Life & Legacy of the Founder of the Sikh Faith. The exhibition runs until January 19th. What visitors can look forward to seeing at the downtown Brampton facility is an exhibition that showcases: calligraphy, paintings, drawings, photographs, fabrics, manuscripts and soundscapes, the life and teachings of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith.
The recently reappointed Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Navdeep Bains (Mississauga-Malton) attended the opening. This was his first official visit to the museum and art gallery since the 2019 Federal Election. Also attending was long time PAMA supporter, MPP Gurratan Singh (NDP Brampton East) and Mr. B.S Marwah (Lally), the curator of the show.
Marwah told Toronto Caribbean News that the show he has put together will “Provide greater insight into the Sikh faith through original objects and artworks created after the 18th century. “The “sakhis” stories of the Guru, often with images that illustrate the stories provide poignant stories of Guru Nanak’s life as a spiritual pilgrim throughout the Indian sub-continent.”
The Friends of Sikh Studies have helped present this exhibition at PAMA and are covering the cost of all general admission tickets to the facility until the show ends on January 19th, 2020. The free admission includes PAMA’s museum, all galleries and the archives.
There are two free events of note happening in January concerning the Sikh Exhibition. UK based Davinder Toor, a leading figure among a new generation of Indian and Islamic art collectors and dealers, is coming to Canada to speak at PAMA on January 12th at 2:00 pm about the paintings in the exhibition that tell the story of Nanak’s travel through India. One week later on Sunday January 19th, curator Bhupinder Singh Marwah, a world famous collector of rare and valuable Sikh books and art will also be there. Better known by his nickname, Lally Marwah, he is a statistician by trade, and a vital part of the community.
Lally Marwah will be talking about what Sikh Art is all about on Sunday January 19th Curator Talk. The 2:00 pm lecture is the final event of the exhibition.
