Don't miss Sikh Net Web Browser Toolbar

Somehow I missed the news about new creation from Sikhnet: Sikh Net Web Browser Toolbar.
They always come up with great things.

This tool bar for your web browser allows you to quickly keep up to date with the latest from SikhNet all in one place, without going to SikhNet.

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• Weather - You'll always have the latest local weather at your fingertips with temperatures and forecasts.
• Email Notifier- Configure your different email accounts with the toolbar to get notified when you have new email.
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• Live Chat - There is live chat feature to chat with other toolbar users.
• Auto Update - Another cool thing is that you only have to download it once. Any improvements we make to the the toolbar will automatically get updated (without having to re-install/upgrade).

To download it please click here.

Paramjeet Kaur is the next Shobna Singh

Oil canvas (picture taken from Mighty Sikhnet)

I have to tell you what I have discovered lately !!! I think and hope Paramjeet Kaur is the next modern Shobna Singh. I'm so impressed with the selection of the colours and her brush stroke. I think she will make many Sikhs proud. Please visit Paramjeet's art gallery at Yessy.

I was lucky enough to get an answer from Paramjeet. Here is what she says:

"I see world as a temporary phase and illusion. My eyes are focused on a dimension which is not tied to time, rule or place. Love to have freedom of thoughts.. "

Who is your biggest inspiration?

Courage and happy heart inspires me to develop within myself.

My Dad Sr. Kuldeep Singh Ji (who is an amazing poet, lyricist,who holds in depth keen knowledge about Sikh history) and our Great Sikh culture with bright and colorful spirit are my Inspirations. Love for our Gurus and their messages too keep me going which helps me to stroke that on canvas with colors and style.

How many paintings have you sold?

I have sold more then 18 paintings in three shows,one buyer would buy 5-6 paintings at a time.

Do you just paint one-off paintings or you do duplicates of them?

In reality believe me Gurugobind Singhji's painting was my very first portrait i ever made, yes i was trying to copy our great Sobha singhji's work . I literally prayed, took gurus blessing and just gave a start and I was happy when it turnout to be at least good. Gurus paintings are the only paintings which I copied rest all are my own. As per my knowledge my friends, relatives, family members are elated with the path I am going on.

What is the reaction of Sikh/non-Sikh community about your art?

Non sikhs, American, Pakistanis they all are my buyers . Yes when ever i have local show with the community,people do see you with one eye that speaks of art.

I would like to wish Paramjeet good luck and inspiration. I really like her paintings and even thinking of may be getting one for myself... Who knows?

By the way if you are are lover of Sikh art, I personally want to recommend one book. It's called New Insights into Sikh Art. It's a beautiful book which gives insight to Sikh art. Thanks to the lovely book salesman who sold me this book near Golden temple. It's a good addition to my library. Recommended!

Don't miss Sikhnet Film Festival

This year I have missed the Sikhnet film festival. My bad. The festival itself was designed to encourage and inspire our youth to get involved in media and film and use their creativity to produce interesting and educational pieces designed to spread the spirit of Sikhi but you can watch it right now by clicking here. Spare few minutes and watch inspiring movies created by Sikh Youth.

France sikhs and turbans

France stokes a turban revolution.

News Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/

Chandigarh, January 24 - The turban controversy in France has virtually triggered a wave of awakening about its importance in this part of the country.

Schools are being set up to train Sikh youths in turban tying. Competitions are being held by various Sikh organisations to honour the youths who have perfected the art of tying turban.After 1990 Sikh youths, in big numbers, had started becoming clean-shaven and these were mainly from colleges and universities.

But, now, it appears, the turban is staging a comeback in a big way in this region.The most interesting development is turban has become theme of Punjabi folklore, especially Punjabi folk songs in recent past. A large number of folk songs have been dedicated to turban by Punjabi singers in recent months. Ravinder Grewal’s folk song “pag banani na bhul jayo, o Punjabio” has been a hit for several weeks. Babbu Mann’s recently released song “pehlan main sardar han” is topping the popularity charts in the region. It is the first time Babbu has worn the turban while singing the song in the video. A few weeks ago Hardip Gill came out with Punjabi hit on turban theme “pagan cho pag sardaran di.Earlier, Shamsher Sandhu’s song “geet hove Punjabian di pag varga” had become a hit. Pammi Bhai’s latest song “pagan cho pag Patiala shahi e” has become a hot song. Another song by Bitta from Batala topping the popularity charts is “tohar sadi jag to niari mitro, sadi pag sanu jan ton piari mitro”. A duet “har pase teri pagri the gal ve” sung by Nikku and Jaspinder Narula has also become immensely popular.Earlier, also turban used to be part of the Punjabi songs but in a different contest. “Pagri sambhal jatta” had become a theme song of the freedom movement in the farmer community all over the country.

All Punjabi folk singers such as Yamla Jat, Karamjit Dhuri, Chandi Ram, Harcharan Grewal, Didar Sandhu used to tie turban in a peculiar style while singing on stage. Gurdas Mann was perhaps the first artiste who did not wear turban but became a famed Punjabi folk singer. Abroad it was Malkiat Singh of “tutak tutak tutian” fame, who made the turban popular. Daler Mehndi also played vital role in making turban popular. “Whenever any minority community faces adverse situation with regard to its identity, it obviously reacts strongly. Apart from resorting to agitations and other modes of protest, it uses its folklore to inspire its constituents to defend the identity,” says a social scientist.

-By Sarbjit DhaliwalTribune News Service

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My respect to all Sikhs who are wearing turbans!

Thanks for keeping your traditions and beliefs alive!