Vaisakhi Art Collaboration: SALDEF Talks to Artist Ameet Gill

Glorious Balance, Ameet Gill

Celebrate Vaisakhi with a Stunning Sikh Art Collaboration!

This Vaisakhi, SALDEF is delighted to unveil a unique art collaboration featuring renowned Community Artist, Ameet Gill. In an exclusive interview, we delve into the inspiration and story behind this must-see Vaisakhi art piece.

Ameet’s art commemorates 13 years of the SikhLEAD Internship Program during Vaisakhi. Ameet is a Canadian artist with Indian origins; “my paintings are symbolic and are deeper life reflections using imagery from daily life.” She has received many awards and distinctions, and her paintings have a rich earthen sensibility. 

Q. What inspiration did you draw from for these pieces in particular?

A: Vaisakhi commemorates the beginning of spring harvest and uniformed baptized army of Khalsa created by Guru Gobind Singh.  The title of Khalsa refers to people whose life and spirit are solely the property of the One Creator and their embodiment of equality on the path to protect, fight and serve all mankind. 

Q. Were there any connections you wanted to convey between Vaisakhi/Sikhi and SikhLEAD when you were creating these pieces?

A: Birds are a Symbol of flight and its balance just like the accomplishments of the Alumni, who are making a mark by following the core values and being the agents of change. The golden harvest of rejuvenation and empowerment embraces the path that SikhLEAD and SALDEF is paving for the young Sikh Americans. 

Q. Which mediums did you use, and why?

A: My materials of choice and style were intentional and deliberate. Representing rootedness, tradition and brilliance through miniature style, wood, gold, bright acrylic and oil colors. The continuation of traditional techniques in a contemporary manner amplified the embracing of core values to pave a brighter newer future. 

Q. Are there any particular feelings or emotions you wanted to evoke from people when they saw the art?

A:  I hope when people see these pieces they can feast their eyes, pause and contemplate through colors, geometric dance and its balance, a circle representing “One light,”  golden glow with harvest and its specks highlighting the flight and embodiment of such a bright harvest. 

Q. What about SALDEF as an organization in particular interested you in taking on this project and collaborating with us to celebrate 13 years of SikhLEAD?

A. SALDEF offers a platform for young Sikh Americans to not only rise to the forefront of change but also lead it to fruition. I am honored to be a part of this endeavor and to have been inspired into creating this mini series of my new works. 

You can find more work from Ameet at www.gillameet.com, or on Instagram @ameetart

Have you ever wondered about some lesser-known aspects of Sikhi?

Here are 5 intriguing facts about Sikhi that might surprise you. From the significance of the Five Ks to the concept of Langar, there’s so much to explore about this vibrant and inclusive faith. Dive into the world of Sikhs with us and expand your understanding of the fifth largest religion in the world.

ONE. Sikhism was a catalyst for gender inclusivity in a society that at the time, was dominated by an archaic patriarchal system. The Sikh Gurus emphasized the equality between men and women in the eyes of God. This led to an increase of women’s participation in religious, political and social aspects of society. Many Sikh women were warriors and active participants in civic society. 

TWO. The central holy scripture for Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib, contains sacred hymns and verses referred to as Gurbani. The recitation of Gurbani is a way in which Sikhs are able to connect with God. Some Sikhs partake in reading the entire Guru Granth Sahib uninterrupted for several days in a very powerful spiritual practice called Sehaj Path. 

THREE.  The beacon symbol of the Sikh faith is called the Khanda. Khanda means “double edged sword” and there is one shown in the center of the symbol. Surrounding the Khanda is a Chakkar, a round throwing blade, with two Kirpans, single-edged swords and one of the 5 articles of faith, crossed at the bottom.

FOUR. The amrit ceremony is how Sikhs join the Khalsa. It was established by Guru Gobind Singh as a response to the persecution faced by Sikhs in that tumultuous period. During the amrit ceremony today, Sikhs who join the Khalsa must pledge to uphold all the tenets of the Sikh faith and “take amrit” by drinking water sweetened with crystalized sugar and stirred with a Khanda.

FIVE. Sikhs have a deep rooted history in the United States. The first Sikh Americans landed on the West Coast of the United States during the 1890s. In 1957, Dalip Singh Saund became the first Asian American and Sikh American elected into the United States House of Representatives where he served three terms representing California’s 29th congressional district under the Democratic Party. 

To learn more about Sikh Americans and the Sikh faith, please visit www.saldef.org/about-sikh-americans/

The annual Sikh Community of Southern California Vaisakhi Celebration will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, April 7th from 7am – 6pm

The program consists of a Kirtan Darbar (a day of sacred and spirited musical held in the royal court of Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Guru of Sikhs) and a Nagar Kirtan (a traveling Kirtan parade with Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji) encompassing a two-mile route in downtown L.A. The Kirtan Darbar begins at 7 am and continues until 6 pm.

  • SALDEF Announces Job Openings for New Positions
  • USCIS to Issue Redesigned Green Cards
  • SALDEF Presents at California High School Diversity Event
  • Dept of Homeland Security and Dept of Justice Training in Boston
  • SSA Spotlight: Princeton Sikh Student Association Celebrates Vaisakhi
  • College Students – Apply for a Scholarship
  • SALDEF Remembers Life and Contributions of Dr. Dorothy Height

SALDEF Announces Job Openings for New Positions SALDEF is pleased to announce the opening of three new positions. We are looking for experienced candidates to fill the positions of Executive Director, Community Relations Associate/Manager and Grant Writer. Candidates applying must be able to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, and have a passion for working towards the strengthening of the Sikh American community. To read more about the positions, click here. USCIS to Issue Redesigned Green Cards U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has redesigned the Permanent Resident Card – commonly known as the “Green Card” – to incorporate several major new security features. The Green Card redesign is the latest advance in USCIS’s ongoing efforts to deter immigration fraud. State-of-the-art technology incorporated into the new card prevents counterfeiting, obstructs tampering, and facilitates quick and accurate authentication. Beginning May 11, 2010, USCIS will issue all Green Cards in the new, more secure format. In keeping with the Permanent Resident Card’s nickname, it will now be colored green for easy recognition. USCIS will replace Green Cards already in circulation as individuals apply for renewal or replacement. For more information on permanent residency and other immigration benefits, visit www.uscis.gov, or call USCIS’s National Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283 SALDEF Presents at California High School Diversity Event This past March, SALDEF Representative Gaganpreet Kaur and Managing Director Kavneet Singh, conducted four one-hour workshops for students at Castro Valley High School in Castro Valley, CA as part of their annual Days of Diversity program. This is the fourth straight year that SALDEF has been invited to participate at this forum. The first workshops introduced students to Sikh culture and the history of Sikhs in the United States and was followed by a question and answer session. The following workshops discussed specific civil rights issues faced by Sikh Americans. Students also engaged in an interactive discussion about how law and policy affect people of faith and received copies of SALDEF educational resources. If you would like a SALDEF volunteer or staff member to conduct an anti-bullying and cultural awareness presentation for students at your children’s school, please contact us. Dept of Homeland Security and Dept of Justice Training in Boston On April 8th, SALDEF Board Member Navjeet Singh, trained roughly 40 members of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency Office of Investigations along with special guests from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Community Relations Service. The Cultural Awareness training seminar consisted of an overview of the Sikh faith, religious practices and culturally sensitive protocol for interactions with Sikh Americans. The training was hosted by the DHS ICE Office of Investigations and the DOJ Office of Community Relations in Boston, MA. SSA Spotlight: Princeton Sikh Student Association Celebrates Vaisakhi Last month, like Sikh Student Associations (SSA) across the country, the Princeton SSA took the opportunity to educate their fellow students about the Sikh faith. They invited attendees to learn about Sikh practices, theology and history through a slideshow presentation. Following the presentation, Langar was served while Kirtan played in the background. During the presentation, the SSA distributed SALDEF’s Who are the Sikhs brochures and 2010 Sikh American Pockets Calendars to the attendees. Congratulations to the Princeton SSA on a great event. If we can assist your SSA in any way – by providing speakers, materials, etc – please contact us. College Students – Apply for a Scholarship The Sikh Education Fund, a project of the Association of Sikh Professional has been granting scholarships and interest free loans to college students since 1989. The Association is now receiving applications for the academic year 2010-2011. The last date for receiving applications for new applicants is June 1, 2010. Apply here or email the Association for more information SALDEF Remembers Life and Contributions of Dr. Dorothy Height On April 20th, the civil rights community, and the country lost a pioneering voice for civil, women’s, and human rights. Dr. Dorothy Height, passed away at the age of 98 from natural causes. She will be remembered for her legacy of empowerment and over seven decades of community service. Throughout her distinguished career, she served as President Emeritus of the National Council of Negro Women and Chair of The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, where she worked closely with a broad coalition of groups for several decades.  Read more here.

In April, Baisakhi is when Sikhs reflect on the creation of the Khalsa and the affirmation of ideals of liberty, equality, and justice for all humanity. In April, Confederate History Month is when Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell believes that all Virginians should reflect on “the sacrifices of the Confederate leaders, soldiers and citizens”.  Notice what is missing.  Any reference to slavery and the tragic impact it had on the lives of millions. McDonnell declined to refer to slavery because “there were any number of aspects to that conflict between the states. Obviously, it involved slavery. It involved other issues. But I focused on the ones I thought were most significant for Virginia.” James McPherson, a leading Civil War scholar, on the omission: “Confederate history was ultimately bound up with slavery. But that was the principal reason for secession — that an anti-slavery party was elected to the White House. . . . And without secession, there wouldn’t have been a war.”  Former Governor Douglas Wilder, the first African American to be elected governor in the nation, members of the Virginia Legislature, and the NAACP have also come out against the proclamation. What do you think about the proclamation and the omission of any reference to slavery?  Do we have a responsibility to recognize and remember acts of injustice throughout history so that they are not repeated? You can send a message to Governor McDonnell with your thoughts. UPDATE: Governor McDonnell apologizes for ‘omission’ and amends proclamation Governor McDonnell issued a statement: “The proclamation issued by this Office designating April as Confederate History Month contained a major omission. The failure to include any reference to slavery was a mistake, and for that I apologize to any fellow Virginian who has been offended or disappointed. The abomination of slavery divided our nation, deprived people of their God-given inalienable rights, and led to the Civil War. Slavery was an evil, vicious and inhumane practice which degraded human beings to property, and it has left a stain on the soul of this state and nation. In 2007, the Virginia General Assembly approved a formal statement of “profound regret” for the Commonwealth’s history of slavery, which was the right thing to do.” The following amendment was made to the proclamation: “WHEREAS, it is important for all Virginians to understand that the institution of slavery led to this war and was an evil and inhumane practice that deprived people of their God-given inalienable rights and all Virginians are thankful for its permanent eradication from our borders, and the study of this time period should reflect upon and learn from this painful part of our history.”