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K.P. Singh Drawings Celebrate Sikh Heritage
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Sikhpoint.Com is proud to announce the installation of three original Drawings of Indiana artist Kanwal
Prakash (KP) Singh in The Sikh Heritage Gallery at The Natural History Museum, Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, D.C. The pen & ink drawings of Sri Bangla Sahib, New Delhi, Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar,
and Sri Kesh Garh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, India were featured in the 2007 Sikhpoint Interfaith Calendar
and will be on display at The Smithsonian through the end of September.These architectural landmarks are
important pilgrimage sites, hallowed grounds associated with the lives and times of The Sikh Gurus,
and are deeply intertwined in Sikh history and heritage.
Born in India, Kanwal Prakash (KP) Singh came to the United States for higher studies in 1965. He has made
Indianapolis his home since 1967. KP was educated in India (B.A. from Punjab University; Bachelor of
Architecture and Master of Technology: Regional Planning from I.I.T. Kharagpur) and the United States
(Master of City Planning from the University of Michigan).
KP has been a tireless advocate and supporter of historic preservation, Cultural diversity and the importance
of arts to life and human spirit.
KP considers community service as a major focus and commitment of his Sikh faith, and a civic responsibility.
Over the years, he has served as a volunteer on many committees and events. He is a founding member of the
International Center of Indianapolis.
K.P. Singh Designs, founded in 1972, specializes in fine arts. KP's distinctive, finely executed pen and
ink drawings of historic Architecture and monuments in India, Europe, USA, and other places reflect the
combined skills of an architect, artist, historian, and an educator. His art and advocacy have continued
to heighten our awareness of the special place of significant buildings and sites in the visual, cultural,
and spiritual fabric of our communities. KP's drawings of architectural landmarks: Indiana courthouses,
college campuses and other historic sites are present at many fundraising events. His artwork is in many
public and private collections in the USA and around the world.
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KP's art and words is a constant reminder of his passion and commitment to preservation and celebration
of our unique and outstanding architectural, artistic, and cultural treasures. KP believes that they are
the collective heritage of mankind. KP is a guest writer for many ethnic publications.
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Sri Bangla Sahib, New Delhi
Original Pen & Ink Drawing
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By K.P. Singh
INSPIRATION: The Sikh Ardas (prayer) contains a refrain about the Eighth Sikh
Guru Harkrishan: "Remember Sri Harkrishan, whose very glimpse dispelled all suffering." One enters this
Sikh Temple, located near the heart of the Indian Capital, in a state of prayer and thanksgiving to have
the opportunity to pray here. One leaves the shrine with a spirit of serene surrender, revived connection,
renewed faith in the power of prayer.
A large pool attached to the shrine offers amazing and changing reflection, contributing to the charm and
is the site of ritual bath tradition of the Sikh faith. The Temple Complex pulsates with activity: prayer
and music better part of each day and viewing of the sacred relics of the child Guru inside, various
pilgrimage-related activities on the immediate outside. The Temple stands as an oasis of tranquility not
too far removed from the hustle bustle of the urban environment. People throng here in large numbers, from
near and far, and belonging to all faiths, with their hopes and petitions at this sacred "Court" dedicated
to Sri Harkrishan.
TIME SPENT: I wanted to capture in pen and ink the majestic aura of this historically significant Temple
and pilgrimage site and its special place in the shaping of young faith. The view of the main shrine from
the slightly lower pool-level seems to further uplift and visually enhance the domed building against the
deep-blue summer morning sky.
I have made a pilgrimage to this shrine during the last seventeen trips to India. My drawings are an
attempt to know the buildings I draw as living entities. The lines on the paper have flowed from study
and reflection about the symbolism of the sacred site and honored place of Guru Harkrishan and his sacred
Temple in my heart and spirit, and those of countless millions.
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Golden Temple, Amritsar
Original Pen & Ink Drawing
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By K.P. Singh
Inspiration: As the agonizing events of 1984 began to unfold and suddenly people around the world heard about
The Golden Temple at Amritsar, the holiest shrine of the Sikh faith, after the brutal attack to flush out a
few Sikh militants and under unconscionable siege by the Indian army, it was important to offer to the world
an architectural image, in my favorite media of pen and ink, about the sanctity, magnificence, serene splendor,
and importance of this place to the Sikhs, people of other faiths and cultures. My heart and soul, and those
of countless millions across religious and cultural spectrum, was deeply injured by the unfortunate events.
I felt that my spirit needed to connect once again, not just to the brick and mortar of the devastated sacred
monument, but with this ultimate symbol of all-embracing grace and all it represents; remember that this place
has been a living witness to the glorious Sikh history, incredible sacrifices, acts of defiance to
safeguard its sanctity; and this sacred space reverberates with sacred music that dispel darkness,
proclaims God-Light in and inalienable human rights for each being; honors the Majesty and Mystery
of the Creator.
This is an immortal edifice, hallowed ground, bathed in a celestial aura reflecting the
glory of One Universal God of All Creation.
This drawing is a tribute to the Light and Divine Wisdom that Sikh faith offers to all without limit and
distinction. The drawing completed in 1985 has won award in a statewide art contest and featured on many
invitations and in articles about my artwork.
Time Spent: Many pilgrimages to this magnificent architectural jewel and a world spiritual center
dedicated to the celebration of the Divine and sacred under the Heavens.
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Sri Kesh Garh Sahib, Anandpur
Original Pen & Ink Drawing
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By K.P. Singh
INSPIRATION: The temporal and spiritual worlds seem to co-exist as one approach the beautiful shrine of
Sri Keshgarh Sahib majestically rising high above the surrounding landscape through a maze of shops,
temporary stalls, and festive decorations. Sri Keshgarh Sahib, designated as one of the Five Spiritual
Thrones of the Sikh faith, has been a witness to much history, transforming events, and the life and times
of the Tenth Guru Gobind Singh and his followers. During the three hundredth anniversary celebrations of
the Birth of Khalsa (the Pure Ones) in 1999, the town of Anandpur Sahib was visited by over four million
pilgrims and visitors from around the world; treated to traditional pomp and pageantry and modern miracles
(dazzling fireworks and laser show). The gathering attracted merchants marketing precious religious articles,
commemorative attractions; and many special services and facilities needed to serve the throngs of humanity.
It is an image etched in my mind and has carried my imagination often to the events of long-ago and to the
blessed souls who were eyewitness to this spiritual drama as it unfolded. It is not hard to see their radiance
through the intervening time and space to our generation. It is a moving experience that you are walking on the
hallowed ground of one the rarest Spiritual Light that graced our Earth and countless martyrs who sacrificed
for the cause of humanity.
TIME SPENT: In the pen and ink drawing of "Sri Keshgarh Sahib," I have attempted to capture the serene and
stately majesty of the shrine, dressed in all-white, bathed in sunlight under the blue sky, with the backdrop
of Shivalik Hills. The castle-like historic Temple loomed large above the din and noise of people and traffic,
the mundane Offerings that distract our attention and yet satisfy our emotional and temporal needs of the moment,
and help us to relive our pilgrimage experience in other places, on other days.
The drawing leaves much to the imagination offering only an intriguing glimpse of the shrine and its environs
during the historic celebrations. For me, the drawings of sacred landmarks are a meditation. I try not to measure
or confine them in time spent on the actual lines on paper or the distances traveled to complete the drawing. This
is a labor of spirit.
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Kanwal Prakash "KP" Singh
Indianapolis, Indiana USA
www.KPSinghDesigns.com
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