The Singh Project -A DIALOGUE

The Singh Project: Turbans in India are a symbol of different cultures, conventions, and customs. They can be silent narrators of a person’s religious beliefs and practices. Sometimes, you can also tell the wearer’s position and rank in society just by looking at the size, material, and style of his turban.  

However, the Sikh Gurus strongly opposed dividing our society into classes or groups. They persistently tried to create an equal society, of which turban (known as ‘Dastar’ in Punjabi) became the symbol of freedom.

The tradition

The Singh Project: While the turban has more or less become an “occasion-specific” part of an Indian attire, seen usually during pujas or weddings only, the Sikhs have carried on this tradition as a gift of their Gurus.

A Sikh turban is a connection between him and his Guru. After 9/11, the Sikh turban was misunderstood and many Sikhs became victims of mistaken identities.

But there are people out there, especially the younger generation, who are coming forward to present the true identity, philosophy behind the turban and the Sikh ideology to the world.  

Introduction

Let me introduce you to The Singh Project {not that they need any!}

The Singh Project was born with the aim to capture the essence of modern Sikhism. It pays tribute to the beauty and variety of British Sikh men. It is photographed by Amit and Naroop in their studio over a period of a year. These men who feature in this project are businessmen, boxers, IT professionals, doctors, fashion stylists, temple volunteers, magicians and a host of other occupations. They are all adapting and interpreting the Sikh traditions in their own way.  

This initiative is a marriage of Amit and Naroop’s British photographic style and Indian roots. These images showcase beards and turbans that are as different and unique as their owners. 

You can read more about this amazing project at Facebook. Stay updated at Twitter or see the pictorial updates on Instagram.