Art exhibition pays tribute to Guru Nanak’s paradigm of oneness

In Sikhism, the term 'Shabad' has two primary meanings. While the first refers to a hymn or paragraph or sections of the holy text that appears in Guru Granth Sahib -- the main holy scripture of the Sikhs -- the second refers to hymns within other Sikh scriptures; Banrae Embroidery and sketch on linen. (Source: Dr Jaspal Singh Kalra)

Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, was the first Guru. Born in 1469 at Nankana Sahib, Guru Nanak's love for humans, animals, creatures and everyone has been beautifully captured as Shabad in the holy scripture of Guru Granth Sahib, as well as in other Sikh scriptures. His idea of oneness and spreading love without discrimination is the foundation of Sikhism. Bhande bahara embroidery and sketch on linen. (Source: Dr Jaspal Singh Kalra)

A new art exhibition ‘Paradigm of Oneness’ at Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi from November 25-28 attempts to "imagine Baba Nanak in the content of his immortal Shabads". 'The Shabads leave an imagery in every mind that is willing to imbibe it. Baba Nanak is an epitome of spreading love without any discrimination and that’s the way he suggests being one with the Divine. Nanak is in his Shabad and Shabad is in him. He believed in Oneness and said "Na Ko BairiNahiBegana, Sagal Sang Hamko Ban Ayi" and guided us to achieve the Ek-Onkar: One Divine', notes the press statement; Devotion. (Source: Dr Jaspal Singh Kalra)

As per the exhibition statement, Nanak’s oneness goes beyond just humans. His compositions talk of nature, animals, plants, Earth, water, air and to love them all is true oneness with the divine. Imagining self as part of other is the paradigm of Nanak’s oneness that takes us beyond our ego; Hadoor (Source: Dr Jaspal Singh Kalra)

The exhibition which features artworks by Dr Jaspal Singh Kalra intends to present his "internal dialogue", a journey of art as a personal expression. His art is not about deciphering or finding reasons but simplifying the complexities. The intangible and invisible spirit becomes a manifestation in this series through the verses that become symbolic with the beauty of nature, as per the exhibition statement; Haq Embroidery and sketch on linen. (Source: Dr Jaspal Singh Kalra)

This personal expression of setting text in artworks has been part of Dr Kalra’s style for more than a decade. When his mother left for her eternal journey, it transformed into interpretation. The artworks have metaphors and signs that not only take forms, but also attempt to express the essence through the iconography. (Source: Dr Jaspal Singh Kalra)

The word ‘Sab Tera’ is colloquially also interpreted as ‘terah’ or thirteen and in keeping with this concept thirteen Shabads have been taken to create this series of artworks. Shabads by Baba Nanak, Kabirdas and Sheikh Farid range from oneness of humans, gender, nature, universe, divinity and value of sharing. This series engages the soul to have a reflection with the self. Each stroke or artwork is a process of learning and understanding the divine through his creations; Keerat (Source: Dr Jaspal Singh Kalra)

Phulvantea embroidery and sketch on linen (Source: Dr Jaspal Singh Kalra)

In the words of Dr Kalra, “I work towards discovery of spiritual realism and truthfulness of my soul through the medium of embroidery. Shabads with its full grace have been lovingly sketched and embroidered in zardosi and chikankari.”; Pond of divine embroidery and sketch on linen (Source: Dr Jaspal Singh Kalra)

The artwork is called Pure (Source: Dr Jaspal Singh Kalra)

(Source: Dr Jaspal Singh Kalra)

(Source: Dr Jaspal Singh Kalra)

(Source: Dr Jaspal Singh Kalra)