2009 CalendarDate: Tuesday, 09 December, 2008
This is the latest in the highly regarded series of calendars produced by Sikhpoint.com and is available from the ASHT offices.
Whilst there is no charge for the calendar where appropriate we do ask for postal charges to be covered. To order your copy email info@asht.info
Review of the calendar by the acclaimed artists The Singh Twins
For
those of you who have come to expect the highest level of professionalism and
creativity from the Sikhpoint.com Calendar team, the 2009 edition will not
disappoint.
Titled
A Walk Through History, this year's production which was created in collaboration
with The Maharajah Duleep Singh Centenary Trust and explores places and
artefacts around Britain connected with shared aspects of Anglo Sikh heritage,
is not only a feast for the eyes but engaging and informative.
The
Introduction page gives an insight into the remarkable work that the Duleep
Singh Centenary Trust has been doing since 1993 to highlight and promote Anglo
Sikh heritage through high profile exhibitions, conferences, and public art
commissions in partnership with some of Britain's top Museums, Galleries,
Institutions and Organisations. It's an impressive list, including the Victoria
and Albert Museum, The Imperial Museum, the Royal Geographic Society and The
British Library. The remaining pages from January to December showcase some of
the marvellous art, artefacts, monuments and locations identified by
researchers at the Trust as being relevant to Sikh history and therefore,
included on a cultural map - called the Anglo Sikh Heritage Trail, which they
have been developing since 2004 with the support of Heritage Lottery Fund and
English Heritage.
Amongst
these, are the splendid Golden Throne of the Sikh Emperor Maharaja Ranjit
Singh, the coat of arms of his son Maharajah Duleep Singh (Britain's first
resident Sikh), archive photos of Sikhs serving in World War I and II, Maharani
Jind Kaur's illuminated prayer book which has some of the earliest known
paintings of the Gurus, Sikh coins and medals from the British Museum
Collections and the sumptuous Durbar Hall designed by Sikh architect Bhai Ram
Singh for Queen Victoria's holiday home Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.
Each main page image is inset with a smaller image depicting a related treasure
from Sikh history and a photograph of the Institution or place where the
objects and artefacts depicted are located. A brief write up under each image
provide snippets of information that give context and greater meaning to each
image.
A
particularly wonderful addition to each page, are the quotes taken from
historical personages connected with Sikh History - (accounts of Western visitors to Ranjit's
Court, scholars of Sikhism and those whose fate was inextricably linked to the
Sikhs in one way or another including Queen Victoria) - which transport one back in time and not
only offer a fascinating insight into the changing politics of Anglo Sikh
relations over a century ago, but into aspects of the Sikh faith and character.
It's
clear from the range and diversity of material in the 2009 Calendar that its
production required communication with several Institutions and co-ordination
of material from multiple sources. The passion, dedication and commitment to
that aim, is clear to see with the turn of every page.
With
its inspirational theme, engaging images, informative text and quality of
production, the 2009 Sikhpoint.com Calendar is, like the precious objects
featured in it, something to relish and preserve as a valued treasure of Sikh
heritage in its own right, well beyond 2009.
The
Singh Twins
November
2008
