Sikh Heritage Gallery at Santa Barbara Museum

Sikh Heritage Gallery at Santa Barbara Museum
Tuesday, 03.03.2009, 06:24am (GMT-7)
India Post News ServiceSANTA BARBARA: Over 400 people got together to celebrate the opening of the Sikh Heritage Galleryat the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Bhupinder Kaur emceed the event. It began with Shabad Kirtan by Bhai Sarabjit Singh and his Jatha. Museum Executive Director Karl Hutterer was the first to speak. "When Dr. Paul Michael Taylor, Director of the Smithsonian called asking if we'd like the exhibit, I jumped at the chance," he saidFollowing Hutterer was Sikh Heritage Foundation co-founder Dr. Sohan Singh Chaudhury. Chaudhury emphasized the importance of the exhibition as it aims to clear many misconceptions on Sikhs and Sikh religion. "We are not an off-shoot of Hinduism, or some minor religious cult. We are the world's fifth major religion, and our ethnicity cannot be separated from that religion." Other luminaries that addressed the gathering include S Surinder Singh, Dr Narinder Singh Kapany, Bibi Ji Bai Sahiba Inderjeet Kaur, to mention a few. The program ended with breathtaking Bhangra and Giddha by So Cal students.The gallery was packed with a wide range of items. Ancient swords and other artifacts stood next to modern paintings of and by Sikhs, and vintage pics of Sikh soldiers during the First World War, pictures paintings and models of Sri Harmandir Sahib along with a host of religious and cultural paraphernalia. However, one does feel that it is a little incomplete. There is not a whole lot on contemporary Sikhs e.g. Sikh professionals, entrepreneurs, the role of Sikhs in India's military, Sikh Generals, Admirals and fighter pilots. The gallery could do a little more to demonstrate the Sikh success story in greater detail.The entire event was at no charge to the public. A free show, in effect but the value of the event was priceless. The exhibition will be there till early May.

with thanks : indiapost.com & Mr. JS Bedi