Guru Nanak The Sovereign "ਸਭ ਤੇ ਵਡਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ"
Exhibition Unveiled
Sultanpur Lodhi, 8 November 2019 - An exhibition curated and designed by Panjab Digital Library (PDL) on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Sahib was inaugurated on 5th November by Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister, Panjab at Sultanpur Lodhi under the Celebrations of the 550th Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Sahib. The exhibition is one of the chief attractions for the sangat thronging this sleepy town that recorded some of the most important incidents from the life of the initiator of the Sikh faith in the 15th and 16th century. Sultanpur Lodhi, being one of the places of importance in Sikh history, is the epicenter of commemoration of the events in relation with the 550th Parkash Purb of the first Sikh Guru. The town is expected to record unprecedented quantum of sangat this year, and the exhibition has been carved out to cater to the requirements of people from all backgrounds. Highly based on the visual element, the exhibits show miniatures taken from some of the oldest illustrated manuscripts while some of those have been sourced from British Museum. Well-researched text accompanying the authentic text from Puratan Janam Saakhi and other reliable sources has been used to enrich the experience of the visitors. Trilingual, easily comprehensible descriptions have been provided to make the experience more enthralling and meaningful for visitors from the states other than Panjab as well as for those from other nations.
Davinder Pal Singh, Executive Director, PDL and the curator of the exhibition said, "We have done many exhibitions in past. What makes it special is that this is the biggest exhibition conceived by PDL till date. Guru Nanak Sahib's teachings have always been relevant and his teachings on sharing and oneness of humanity are more pertinent than ever during the recent times. I am glad to see the response of sangat and am enthralled that Guru Nanak Sahib has taken this seva from PDL." As many as 93 panels depicting incidents and importance of the grand life of Guru Nanak Sahib – including his birth, childhood, beginning of his mission to spread the word of the Supreme Being, and his teachings covering all spheres of life. It is difficult to leave the exhibition hall for the visitors without awe after having this mesmerizing experience depicted in a tell-tale fashion on many well-established and some little known anecdotes from the life of Guru Sahib. The main attraction of the exhibition are the original Nanakshahi bricks from the now demolished house of Bebe Nanaki, the coins (of the period) when Guru Nanak Sahib carried out khara sauda, and gold, silver & copper coins issued from various mints during the Sikh rule of Panjab. The exhibition is scheduled to stay put till 15 November.
Gurpreet Kaur, Board Member, who came specially from USA to make preparations for the exhibition, said, "On 5th November, I had a unique and inspiring opportunity to take part in helping with 'Guru Nanak, The Sovereign' exhibition in Sultanpur Lodhi to commemorate Guru Nanak Sahib's 550th Parkash Purab produced by Panjab Digital Library (PDL). This exhibition very creatively took us through Guru Nanak Sahib's life and his impact on this world through primary, secondary texts and janamsakhis. Curator Davinder Pal Singh allows us to live through the sakhis and more importantly the message of Guru Nanak Sahib through this unique picture-story. In addition to the pictures, there is a display of rare and precious artifacts from coins to stamps, to rare manuscripts and miniature, and even to bricks of the house of Bebe Nanaki." "The work of PDL to 'Preserve the Heritage' through digitization is remarkable and much needed for generations to come. I am very humbled to be part of an organization that is diligently working quietly to preserve this rich culture and history of Panjab," she added.
PDL is also thankful to the Punjab Government and Tourism & Culture Department of Punjab for sponsoring the exhibition.
Parminder Singh
+91 98884 99071
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Revealing the Invisible Heritage of Panjab