As Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurb is approaching,
Sikhs are holding events and spreading awareness about the history, life
and teachings of Guru Sahib. I am usually quite disheartened how our
community has allowed not only 2D murtis (idols) of Guru Sahib, the
depictions are not real or genuine and actually portray Guru Sahib
opposite to what he actually was. The above picture is an example from
Slough Singh Sabha Gurdwara where the image looks angry, not happy, and
over weight! That’s definitely not my Guru Nanak and I think is beadbi
(disrespectful)!
However, what I wanted to share is positive examples
(see below) where people are 1) not claiming to know what Guru
Sahib’s face looked like, 2) not faking images of Guru Sahib, and 3) not
promoting 2D murtis that leads to slippery slope to 3D murtis and even
actors dressing up as Guru Ji.
Sikhi is clear: “Gur Moorat Gur Shabad”
(“The Guru’s Image is the Guru’s Word”) concept. The above images have used
artistic ways of showing Guru Nanak Dev Ji without compromising Gurmat.
I hope others can also use, make and promote these type of images
rather than the framed photo shown in the beginning that have arisen from the painter Sobha
Singh and taken Sikhs further away from Gurbani.
People argue, images,
even if fake and unreal, are helpful in remembering the Guru and
promoting Sikhi. There are other religions who are expanding that have
no images but emphasise their children to memorise their holy book and
understand their teachings. Gurbani is the basis for Sikhi, and the fact
is that modern Sikhs have more (unreal/ fake) images of the Gurus but
remember and understand less Gurbani is proof that its helping Sikhi!
Whereas Sikhs of the past did not have these images all of their homes
and Gurdwaras etc but memorised and understood Gurbani.
Now the question
is what do what we for ourselves and our community? I prefer
memorising, understanding and promoting Gurbani and striving to become
the living image of the Guru (“Khalsa Mero Roop Hai Khaas”).
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