The history of Amritsar is deeply intertwined with the history of Sikh religion and royalty. The centre of it all is the Golden Temple.
A city where several historical streams began and ended, Amritsar’s past serves an education into its contemporary socio-cultural and religious structure. Opening the doors for this education and offering a peek into the past of the city through art, is a special exhibition “Reflection of the Past – Rediscover Sikh Heritage and History”.
Timeless Amritsar, in collaboration with Itihaas, a social media platform founded by Parampal Singh Ahluwalia, has put up a 10-day photo exhibition that puts spotlight on the magnificent century of the Sikh history and empire.
Digitally recreating various acclaimed artworks by European artists and Indian art documentarians, featuring some of the renowned works, including one of the earliest photographs taken of Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in 1858 by Italian-English artist Felice Beato and the widely popular portrait of Maharani Jind Kaur by English painter George Richmond, with the original currently displayed at the Gianfranco Ferre Research Center, Italy, the exhibition is worth a visit.
The show was inaugurated by Gursimranjit Kaur, Assistant Commissioner, who herself has a creative streak. “It is a precious opportunity to connect with our history. We should be proud of our heritage,” she shared. The exhibition showcases 31 rare artworks and photographs dating back to Maharaja Ranjit Singh times and the British rule.
“The original artworks are displayed across museums and art centres in Europe, UK and other countries. Many of the originals displayed at the Agha Khan Museum, Toronto; Victoria and Albert Museum, UK; Royal Collection Trust, UK, and with many private collectors, showcase the prominent Sikh generals, Lahore court, Maharani Jindan and Bungas of the period. We took consent before digitally recreating these artworks to create awareness regarding the Sikh history and bring it to Amritsar,” said Parampal Singh.
Curated by city-based artist Smiley Chaudhary, the exhibition is showcasing several rare works, including a collection of paintings and photographs documenting the transition of Darbar Sahib and its periphery between 1856 and 1956.
A photograph by Felice Beato, dating back to 1858-59, shows the lost palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to the right of the Darbar Sahib sanctum sanctorum. “The palace was razed by the Britishers and a clock tower built there, which is still in public memory,” said Davinder Pal Singh, founder, Timeless Amritsar.
The exhibition is on till April 20, timings 11 am till 6 pm.
