Guru Amar Das ji – Langar Seva [New Painting]

Guru Amardas ji, Langar, Seva, Simran, Mata Mansa Devi, Art of Sikhism by Bhagat Singh Bedi

“Those who die to the World and become alive in the Presence of Ram, merge into the Formlessness of Ram. Those who remain Pure – Truthful, Responsible and Blissful – in this world, they never fall into the terrifying ocean of Meaningless Suffering. My Ram, this is the Milk we ought to churn! Through the Guru’s teachings, we can cultivate a steady mind, a concentrated mind, free from distractions, and in this way, we can have a drink of the Amrit, the Timeless State of Consciousness.”

– Sant Kabir Das ji (Guru Granth Sahib, 332)

Guru Amar Das ji, Waheguru, Langar, Mata Mansa Devi, Bibi Bhani, Bibi Dani, Guru Ram Dasji,Guru Nanak Dev ji, Sikh Art by Artist Bhagat Singh Bedi
Guru Amardas ji – Langar Seva

Bhagat’s unique painting has depicted Guru Amar Das ji’s physically serving the people around him, the rich, the poor, and everyone in the middle. Guru Amar Das ji’s sikh art prints look beautiful in your living room or prayer room, and bring peace and tranquility. This piece is an inspiration for developing seva bhawana within.



Artist’s Notes
In this painting, Guru Amar Das ji stirs the milk in pure devotion to Hari, while Mata Mansa Devi ji brings forth the rice to add to the milk, to make kheer (pudding). Guru Pita ji provides the spirit and Mata ji provides the material, and together this results in something beautiful.

Stirring the Ocean
Waheguru stirs the Ocean of Milk. From this stirring, come various elements.

One of these elements is Amrit, that Timeless Quality of Consciousness.

The wicked ones try to steal it from the Saints however Waheguru makes sure to steal it back from those who have Enmity within their Hearts and perform Actions laced with Anger, Greed and Lust. He gives Amrit to his Saints, who chant the name of Hari and perform Pure Actions, actions that are Truthful, Responsible and Blissful.

Langar Tradition
Langar is an old Indian tradition. But in the Sikh tradition, it has a very special and significant place. Many stories of the Gurus revolve around Langar, the process, the devotion, the servitude and the pureness of Being, that goes into cooking Langar.

Guru Nanak Dev ji
It is said that when Pita Kalu ji gave Guru Nanak Dev ji a whole bunch of funds to start his own business, the Master of Seli and Topi spent all of it on feeding and clothing Sadhus, the Saints of the Lord.

In this painting, Guru Nanak Dev ji brings Dal (lentil soup) to the congregation, to the Sadhus.

Guru Angad Dev ji
Guru Lehna ji (later Guru Angad Dev ji) demonstrated his devotion, dedication and divinity through Langar. Prior to meeting Guru Nanak Dev ji, Lehna ji was a Guru himself and commanded a following of his own. Despite having such status, he became a mere Servant in Guru Nanak Dev ji’s kitchen. When no one would do the job, he was there in the thick of it, doing the grueling and messy work of collecting materials for Langar. The former Guru became a servant and a part, angad, of Guru Nanak Dev ji, and thus, he was given leadership of Guru ji’s own following.

In this painting, Lehna ji (Guru Angad Dev ji) hands out Chapatis (bread) to the congregation.

Guru Amar Das ji
Bhai Amar ji (also Bhai Amru ji, later Guru Amar Das ji or Guru Amar Dev ji) followed in the footsteps of Guru Angad Dev ji. He meditated on Ram, and performed Responsible Actions, and became a complete servant of the Guru. Guru Angad Dev ji became so impressed by Bhai Amru’s devotion, his dedication and the divinity shining from within him, that he made him the next Guru of the Sikhs.

Guru Ram Das ji
In the time period of this painting, Bhai Jetha ji (later Guru Ram Das ji) has not yet been given Guruship. In the painting, Jetha ji is seen standing in front of the Guru’s house. He collects the Chapatis from Bibi Bhani ji, his wife, the daughter of Guru Amar Das ji, who is cooking them on the hot plate.

Langar Amplified
When Guru Amar Das ji attained the Throne of the Guru, he amplified the Langar tradition and made it a regular part of the community. He required that everyone who wanted to see him, join the langar first before joining the congregation.

Guru ji made everyone, belonging to different social class, caste and religion, sit together and eat together and pray together. He eliminated the tensions between groups and created a heavenly atmosphere.

Even the Emperor of India, Akbar, had to take part in Langar before seeing Guru Sahib. In this painting, the Emperor sits amongst the poor and the Sadhus, the Hindus and the Muslims, and eats off a simple leaf-plate and patiently awaits more servings.

The advancements made by Guru ji made Langar a critical part of Sikh discipline.

Performing Seva, selfless service, in Langar and not being afraid to get yourself dirty in the process, is of great spiritual value, which was demonstrated strongly by Guru Angad Dev ji and Guru Amar Das ji.

Sikhs took this technology that their Gurus brought to them and amplified it even further. Today Sikh Panth is feeding millions of people daily with free meals. This is one of the greatest achievements for not only Sikh community but the whole of mankind itself.

Artistic Process
I started this painting of Guru Amar Das ji back in 2010!

As I painted and re-painted it, it went through many many changes. A big change was the change of setting.

Originally I had imagined the Langar Kitchen set in a building akin to modern kitchens in old Gurudwaras. But later I stumbled upon some resources that suggested that the the setting would be very different from where we cook langar nowadays.

The kitchen would have been built outside, and the langar would have been cooked in the open air, at least for a large congregation.

So I imagined the kitchen under the shade of a large tree, with the sangati eating the langar on one side and buffalo on the other.

There is the creation of the langar (the buffalo), the people who process the langar (the sevadars) and those who consume it (the congregation).

Guru Amar Das ji is cooking kheer, and is flanked by his sikhs, who are preparing the dough and creating chapatis.

Behind Guru Amar Das ji, we see important figures, one of whom is Mata Mansa Devi ji who is bringing rice in her jholi.

I imagined this scene like the scene of Vaisakhi, where Guru Gobind Singh ji stirred the water and his wife, Mata Sahib Devi brought the patashay in her jholi, to add to the water.

In this way, Guru Amar Das ji stirs the kheer while his wife, Mata Mansa Devi ji brings the rice to add to it.


Fine Art Prints for Sale

Baba Deep Singh ji on Horse, Riding to Battle by Bhagat Singh Bedi- Sikhi Art, Portrait Painting, Sikh Art Punjab Painting, Sikh store, Sikh Art Prints Shop, Heritage of Punjab, Traditions of Sikhism, Sikh Canvas Prints
Beautiful Sikh Paintings – strength, radiance & character – available for your home!

Support Projects, Get Rewards

Sikh Artist, Bhagat Singh Bedi, Puratan Dumalla, Gurus' Turban, Sikh Turban, Mughal Turban, Rajput Turban, Punjab Art, History and Heritage, Sikhism paintings, Singh and Gun, Sikh Video-game
Support Bhagat’s projects and gain access to Premium Content!

The Turban of Kings – How to Tie Dumalla like Guru Gobind Singh ji

In the puratan Sikh Art Tradition of punjab, we see Guru Hargobind Sahib ji and Guru Gobind Singh ji with a peculiar turban, called Puratan Dumalla. In this video, we will learn about the Puratan Dumalla and we will also learn how to Tie this type of Turban.

The Turban of Kings – How to Tie Dumalla like Guru Gobind Singh ji, Emperor Akbar & Shivaji Maratha

I call it the Puratan Dumalla, to avoid confusion with the modern Nihang Dumalla. It’s a different style of turban.

This is the type of turban India’s greatest kings wore.

Sikh Gurus, Guru Hari Gobind ji to Guru Gobind Singh ji wore this turban.

Emperor Akbar wore this turban.

Shivaji Maratha wore this turban.

Rajput Kings and Kings from different parts of India wore this turban.

It is the turban of Kings.

It was particularly famous in Medieval India from 1400s to 1700s.

This style of turban started dying during the 1800s.

In Rajasthan it transformed into different turban styles.
In Sikh Kingdom it transformed into different turban styles.
In Mughal Empire… well Mughal Empire died out in 1800s.

It died by 1900s during the British Raj. It’s no longer seen today.

No one wears it. No one knows about it. And no one knows how to tie it.

Hindi movies and serials are filled with Mughals and Rajputs wearing cartoony cap-like pseudo dumallas, with their cut hair sticking out the back.

Whereas Punjabi movies and serials don’t have any idea that the Sikhs even wore such a turban in the first place.

So I’m trying to revive his traditional style of dumalla so that our ancestral knowledge is preserved for future generations.

I have been learning how to tie this turban for the past 5 years, and I believe I have finally cracked the code.

I have figured out how to tie it and I will share this knowledge with you guys today.

When I said this turban is no longer seen today, I meant this exact style is no longer seen but many turban styles that we today resemble this old turban.

You may notice hints of Patiala Shahi turban, modern Rajasthani turban, Bhangra turban, and of course the modern Nihang Dumalla.

So to tie this turban, you will need –

1 Turban size 6m x 0.5m.
2nd Turban size 2m x 0.5m.

Keep the first couple wraps nice and loose.

Dumalla refers to that bit that is flaring out of the top. It is also called farla, turla, sirra, it has multiple names. Today we call the Nihang Turban a dumalla, but in old times, it was this fan bit that was called Dumalla.
(Bhai Kahn Singh ji Nabha, Mahan Kosh)

FAQs

Q1. Did Guru Gobind Singh ji actually tie this type of turban?

Yes. This is the type of turban that we see in his portraits from 1600s-1800s.

Q2. Didn’t Guru ji tie the tall, conical Nihang Dastaar?

Nope. If he did, then his portraits would’ve shown that style of turban.

The tall, conical Nihang Dastaar did not exist prior to 1800s. It emerged in Sikh art during mid 1800s.

Even early 1800s art, shows Sikh warriors tying a different turban.

Q3. Did Guru Gobind Singh ji put chakra on his turban?

No. Showing Guru Gobind Singh ji with chakras on his turban is a modern trend started by Sobha Singh. We don’t see it in his portraits before Sobha Singh’s paintings.

The trend of wearing chakras on turban started in 1800s with Nihangs. Though keeping weapons inside a Turban is a much older trend.

In old times, they probably hid a dagger in it, slid it in and out from the back.

Q4. Did Shivaji Maratha tie a turban like this? Didn’t he tie a different conical one?

Yes he tied this one. The conical, coiled one is a modern depiction only. He wore a Puratan Dumalla.


Fine Art Prints for Sale

Baba Deep Singh ji on Horse, Riding to Battle by Bhagat Singh Bedi- Sikhi Art, Portrait Painting, Sikh Art Punjab Painting, Sikh store, Sikh Art Prints Shop, Heritage of Punjab, Traditions of Sikhism, Sikh Canvas Prints
Beautiful Sikh Paintings – strength, radiance & character – available for your home!



Support Projects, Get Rewards

Sikh Artist, Bhagat Singh Bedi, Puratan Dumalla, Gurus' Turban, Sikh Turban, Mughal Turban, Rajput Turban, Punjab Art, History and Heritage, Sikhism paintings, Singh and Gun, Sikh Video-game
Support Bhagat’s projects and gain access to Premium Content!


Baba Deep Singh ji – To Victory [New Painting]

Featured Post Prints of Bhai Baba Deep Singh ji, Shaheed, Sikh Saints, Sikh Art, Sikh Photo, Punjab Paintings, Bhagat Singh Bedi

“Of all religions, the highest religion is to meditate on Hari and perform pure actions.”

– Guru Arjun Dev ji (Guru Granth Sahib, 266)

Baba Deep Singh, Sikh Warrior, Nihang, Sikh Art, Sikh Painting, Horse Riding, Battle, Bhagat Singh Bedi, Sikhi Art, Art of Sikhism, Art and Culture of Punjab, Rise of Khalsa
Baba Deep Singh ji – To Victory


Artist’s Notes
Bhagat’s painting of Baba Deep Singh ji shows him riding to battle, on horseback, leading a jatha of Singhs, with kesari nishan sahibs waving in the sky. Sikh art prints of Baba Deep Singh ji are perfect for your home, to get inspiration to push further and achieve victory in every aspect of your life.

Baba Deep Singh ji’s Iconography
Baba Deep Singh ji rides a Horse named Bali – Sacrifice. He wields a Khanda named Dharma – Responsibility. He holds the Insignia of Gurmati – Guru’s teachings. He wears the Cummerbund of Jat – Self-Control. He wears the Turban of Surti – Awareness – and the turban’s Farla flares above, showing his Mastery over himself and his craft. Together with the Sadh Sangati – the Holy Congregation – Baba ji rides to Mukti – Liberation from the Cycle of Births and Deaths.

Achievements
In his early years, Baba Deep Singh ji spent much of his time learning swordsmanship, getting disciplined, horse riding, and studying Sikh Scriptures.

At 20 years of age, he got married and settled down for a while. A few years later, he helped to make copies of Adi Granth, with Bhai Mani Singh ji. This was back when copies of documents had to be penned down by hand.

At 27 years of age, Baba ji was already fighting under Banda Singh ji Bahadur, in his campaigns against the Mughal government, who had persecuted its people and murdered the small children of Guru Gobind Singh ji.

At age 51, Baba ji served under Nawab Kapur Singh ji. At age 66, he was given leadership of Shaheed Misl, after the 65 squads of Dal Khalsa army were reorganized into 12 Misls.

At age 75, Baba Deep Singh ji was still going on missions, to protect his people, and to save his country from invaders who sought to steal its treasures, kill off the men and enslave its women and children.

Martyrdom
Ahmad Shah Durrani had attacked India multiple times, and Baba Deep Singh ji interrupted his fourth raid. Durrani suffered huge losses and decided to weed out the Sikhs. He demolished Shri Harimandir Sahib (Golden Temple) and filled its surrounding pool with slaughtered cows.

When Baba ji heard of this, he gathered an army of 500 men at Damdama Sahib, Bathinda, and by the time he reached Taran Taaran, the number of men with him had grown to 5000. He then lead the men to Amritsar and fought Timur Shah, the son of Durrani.

It is said that during the battle, the opposing commander decapitated Baba Deep Singh ji and his head fell to the ground. Baba ji picked up his fallen head and continued to fight, his body radiating with both fury and the chanting of Hari. Carrying his head in one hand and his Khanda in the other, he fought until him and his men defeated Timur Shah’s army and dealt a severe blow to Durrani.

Baba Deep Singh ji had vowed to give his life, his head for Amritsar so after the battle ended, he reached the Harimandir Sahib, Golden Temple. He walked over to the edge of the pool, he put down his head, he bowed and attained liberation.

Benefits of Meditation on Baba Deep Singh ji
Baba Deep Singh ji is the son of Hari, the protector of Saints and the vanquisher of Evil. Those who meditate on Baba ji become proficient in martial arts and in their studies. Those who meditate on Baba ji radiate with energy and vitality. Those who meditate on Baba ji forget the distractions and become focused on their goals and achieving them. Those who meditate on Baba ji become masters of their skills and masters of their body and mind. Those who meditate on Baba ji attain Hari, the Master of the Universe himself. They do not have to meditate on anything else, those who meditate on Baba Deep Singh ji.


Fine Art Prints for Sale

Adi Guru, Guru Nanak Dev ji, Portrait Painting, Meditation, Dhyan, Sikh Art Punjab Painting Bhagat Singh Bedi, Sikh Guru Art, Sikh Guru Canvas Pictures, Sikh store,Sikh Shop, Sikh Heritage, Sikh Tradition, Gurbani, Guru Nanak Dev ji Kirtan, Shabad
Use Coupon code – LoveSikhi – to get 15% off on ALL prints!



Support Sikhi Art

Bhagat Singh Artist, Exhibition, Sikhi Art, Harimandir Sahib, Harmandir Sahib, Golden Temple of Punjab, Pilgrimage to Amritsar, India, Sikh Painting, Sikh Gifts, Sikhism Art Gallery, Sikh Exhibition, Sikh pictures, Sikh Photos, Golden Temple painting, Harmandir Sahib painting, Sikh Wall Art, Sikh Turban, Sikh Empire, Sikh museum,
Support Sikhi Art and Gain access to Premium “Behind the Scenes” Content!


New Painting – Bhai Taru Singh ji

Bhai Taru Singh ji, Shaheed, Sikh Saints, Sikhi Art, Sikh Photo, Punjab Paintings, Bhagat Singh Bedi, Martyr, Warrior Saint, Sikh Wall Paintings, Sikh Pictures, Sikh Photos, Sikh Gifts

“I am blind, you are my walking stick, Hari; your name is Supporter of Saints. I am poor and meek, your name is my support.”

– Sant Nam Dev ji (Guru Granth Sahib, 727)

Bhai Taru Singh ji, Shaheed, Sikh Saints, Sikhi Art, Sikh Photo, Punjab Paintings, Bhagat Singh Bedi, Martyr, Warrior Saint
Bhai Taru Singh ji

The traditional sikh art of Punjab, has always depicted Bhai Taru Singh ji having his scalp removed but it has always missed the key aspect of this story – Bhai Sahib’s internal state. Bhagat’s painting zooms in specifically on Bhai Sahib’s inner state to highlight the importance of meditation. Buy prints of Bhai Taru Singh ji if you are looking for daily inspiration to meditate.


Artist’s Notes

My painting of Bhai Taru Singh ji shows him meditating after his scalp was removed by the Mughal executioner. Admist the darkness, Bhai Sahib reclines back as a beacon of light and shows us that the path to enlightenment is to uphold Dharma.

Who was Bhai Taru Singh ji?

In his early 20s, Bhai Taru Singh ji chose to have his scalp removed rather than give up his religious traditions. He was born 12 years after the passing of Guru Gobind Singh ji and was initiated in to the tradition of the Ten Gurus, through Bhai Mani Singh ji.

In 1700s, Sikhs were being persecuted by Zakariya Khan, who ruled Punjab under the Mughal Empire. Bhai Taru Singh ji and his family would support and provide food for Sikh rebels who wished to take him down.

During this rebellion, Bhai Taru Singh ji was arrested by Zakriya Khan’s police and was tortured. The executioner used a chisel to remove his scalp, however Bhai Taru Singh ji remained absorbed in meditation.

Bhai Taru Singh ji lived after his torture, and continued to meditate and sing the praises of the Lord. He left his body immediately after the death of Zakariya Khan.

Painting Taru Singh ji

I worked on Baba Ajit Singh ji’s painting when I was his age when he sacrificed himself in the Battle of Chamkaur. Then I did Bhai Taru Singh ji’s portrait when I was his age, when he sacrificed himself for the Sikh panth.

It gives me new insights into the mindset of our warrior saints and into my own mind, to paint them at that same point in my life when they made their sacrifices.

I think about what they did at my age and what I am doing. I think about where they were headed at my age and where I am heading. In this way I align my moral compass to the Truth North and follow it.

A great man once said that we don’t get to choose whether we sacrifice or not, we only get to pick what we sacrifice. Sikh Saints followed in the footsteps of the Ten Gurus and sacrificed themselves to uphold Dharma.

So to see our warrior saints side with their Duty, over their own lives, is very inspiring, and fills me up with a fearless spirit.


Fine Art Prints for Sale

Adi Guru, Guru Nanak Dev ji, Portrait Painting, Meditation, Dhyan, Sikh Art Punjab Painting Bhagat Singh Bedi, Sikh Guru Art, Sikh Guru Canvas Pictures, Sikh store,Sikh Shop, Sikh Heritage, Sikh Tradition, Gurbani, Guru Nanak Dev ji Kirtan, Shabad
Use Coupon code – LoveSikhi – to get 15% off on ALL prints!



Support Sikhi Art

Bhagat Singh Artist, Exhibition, Sikhi Art, Harimandir Sahib, Harmandir Sahib, Golden Temple of Punjab, Pilgrimage to Amritsar, India, Sikh Painting, Sikh Gifts, Sikhism Art Gallery, Sikh Exhibition, Sikh pictures, Sikh Photos, Golden Temple painting, Harmandir Sahib painting, Sikh Wall Art, Sikh Turban, Sikh Empire, Sikh museum,
Support Sikhi Art and Gain access to Premium “Behind the Scenes” Content!


New Painting – Mai Bhago ji

Featured Post Mai Bhago ji, Warrior Women, Sikh Warrior, Sikh Art, Paintings of Punjab, Bhagat Singh Bedi - Sikhi Art

“She is the most beautiful among women who loves the Guru and wears this jewel on her forehead.”

– Guru Nanak Dev ji (Guru Granth Sahib, 54)

Featured Post Mai Bhago ji, Warrior Women, Sikh Warrior, Sikh Art, Paintings of Punjab, Bhagat Singh Bedi - Sikhi Art
Mai Bhago ji – New Edition

Sikh paintings rarely show women that are dressed in 1700s clothing, however Bhagat’s sikh art shows authentic historical clothing. Buy prints of Mai Bhago ji for inspiration to achieve your goals, to serve the Guru, and to meditate.


Artist’s Notes

Mai Bhago ji, Mother Bhago, sought after Guru Gobind Singh ji’s blessings to have a son. But while travelling to Guru ji, she was distressed to hear that a group of 40 Singhs had deserted him during the Battle of Anandpur.

She rode to their gathering, made them realize their mistake and then set off along with them to find Guru Sahib, who was still being followed by the Mughals. They reached Khidrana, where a battle took place between the two armies.

In this battle, those 40 Singhs were all slain, Guru Sahib forgave them and they came to be known as the Chali Muktay, the liberated ones, and Khidrana came to be known as Muktsar.

Tragically, Mai Bhago ji’s husband and brothers were killed in this battle and so she dedicated her life to meditation and attained liberation.

After attaining liberation, Mata ji became detached from the physical world and its customs and traditions. She started to live her life free of all attachment to objects and any desire to do anything.

Kavi Santokh Singh ji explains that her spiritual state reached a point where she became even detached from basic things such as wearing of clothes.

This is when Guru Gobind Singh ji intervened and suggested to Mata ji that in order to preserve the honour of her family, she should cover her head and wrap herself with a shawl.

Mata ji obeyed Guru Sahib and continued to meditate on God until her last breath.

The Daughter turned Wife turned Warrior turned Saint, Mai Bhago ji’s story is very inspirational to those who are on the Path of the Saints.

For me Mai Bhago ji has been a constant inspiration to take action, to take charge, and make things happen. When I heard about the latter part of her life, she then also became an immense inspiration for me to meditate and to cultivate strong states of detachment.


Fine Art Prints for Sale

Bhagat Singh, Sikh Artist, Golden Temple Painting, Golden Temple in Moonlight, Harmandir Sahib Art, Harimandir, Hari Mandir, Meditation, Naam Simran, Moon, Baba Attal Rai, Gurudwara, Boonga, Bhagat Singh, Painting, Amritsar, Punjab Art, Sikhi Art, Golden Temple Canvas, Golden Temple Art, Golden Temple Framed Print, Golden Temple of Punjab
Beautiful Sikh Paintings for your Home – Sikh History Prints for Sale