Here is another interview from Sunday, with Amrit Singh Khalsa (Phd). In this video he tells a the story of how and why he became a Sikh.
All these interviews were very casual and spur of the moment. I just asked people if I could interview them and sat them before the camera.
It has been a lot of fun putting these videos together and getting deeper in the “Video” world. I hope you all have been enjoying watching them. I know there will be much more to come, especially as I get better at it and find the optimum software / techniques.
One thing though is that videos use up quite a bit of bandwidth (meaning hosting costs). About 900 people come to the blog daily and most most are watching the videos. Currently it is costing around $200/month for just the bandwidth used for the blog and videos/audios. (This went up since I have been posting lots of videos).
If you enjoy this web-log, feel inspired, and would like to contribute something to help with the hosting costs, it is definitely appreciated.
Give a Donation (To SikhNet) Any amount is ok.
Thank you all for your support and encouragement!
Here is a video interview with Kirin Kaur Khalsa describing a common day for many Sikhs in Espanola, New Mexico. She also shares her experiences of being a mother, wearing a turban and other things of interest.
Over the next week or so I will be posting some video interviews of Sikh friends from my local community. The questions and topics are based on the feedback that many of you gave to me earlier.
Originally I had an idea of creating one whole long video, but I think it would be too long, and I don’t have the time to make a masterpiece documentary. This is what I do in my “free time” at night after work.
The first video is of my wife Arjan Kaur and her story about why she became a Sikh.
Interview with Arjan Kaur Khalsa
A while back I posted some links to download the Gurbani Album titled: “Tribute to Mardana”. The album is a fusion of East and West Music. One of the musicians sent me the following link which has better quality MP3 downloads.
Here is a summary of the Album:
Tribute To Mardana is a project conceived by Punjabi Hippie, one of Malaysia’s finest djembe players. He did most of the music with help from co-producer RS, and was the main inspiration for many of the fabulous performances by hugely talented and largely unsung Malaysian artists, including TV personality Asha Gill and the amazing Hardev Kaur. There’s also a young bagpiper on one of the tracks and the awesome didgeridoo dude Justin guests on ‘Family Of Strangers’.
Download MP3 files from:
http://www.download.com/tributetomardana
Limited copies of the CD are also available for free distribution. Anyone interested in a copy should contact Punjabi Hippie at punjabi_hippie@yahoo.com
RS, Punjabi Hippie & the TTM Ensemble
This sunday we are celebrating “Guru Gaddi Day”. The day Siri Guru Granth Sahib was made the Guru by Guru Gobind Singh. We normally have morning langar at someone’s house near the Gurdwara and then have a Nagar Kirtan /Jaloose towards the Gurdwara.
I have taken tons of pictures in the past and was thinking of doing some video this time. Especially since I am in the video “mode”. I have wanted to do a video about the Espanola Community so this might be a chance to start doing some footage.
Here is where you come in. I am curious to know any questions you might have about the Sikhs in Espanola. What things you might like to see. I would like to do some interviews with people, so if you have any suggestions for topics or questions please post them as a comment. I don’t have a whole lot of time for a full video…but was thinking to start with some interviews and general footage.
Here is a beautiful poem and painting by Gurukirin Kaur relating to the longing of women to do seva inside Harmandir Sahib (The Golden Temple).
It’s really sad to see that this isn’t allowed, and continues to be a political thing. Even though in Sikhi one of our most basic beliefs is equality of Gender. How can we say this if at our most sacred temple it is quite contrary. It doesn’t set a good example for people to follow, and for me gives no confidence in the "leadership" there in Punjab. No wonder most Sikh youth don’t have an interest in being a Sikh! (not to put all the blame on them…but it does have an impact).
I must not understand the issues in India…but it seems like a no brainer. Does anyone know some of the reasons why people appose women doing seva and playing Gurbani Kirtan inside Harmandir sahib? Most of the things I have heard don’t make sense and are so backward. It’s like it is a "Platinum Exclusive Club" and they don’t want others to be able to get in. We have to stand up to this thinking and make our voice heard. At the very least, let others know. Quite a few people I meet don’t even know that women can’t do this seva or play kirtan. When they find out…they can’t believe it!
Anways… here is the poem.
By Gurukirn Kaur Khalsa
Harimandir Sahib longs for the touch of Thy mothers,
Thy sisters, daughters, and all the others,
Who bow each day to Siri Guru Granth,
Following the path of the Khalsa Panth,
Who enter freely through all four doors,
Except when it is time to clean the floors.
In those holiest hours when it is such
A beautiful time to serve and touch
The marble where the saints have walked,
Why must those gilded doors be locked
To women alone, the Guru’s daughters,
Cleansed by Thy Word and Thy Holy Waters?
The women of Bibi Bhani’s line,
And those descended from Mata Sahib Kaur’s time,
Gather as one to utter this prayer:
"O compassionate Guru of infinite care,
Let all Sikhs enact this holy rite,
As all are immaculate in Thy sight."
Download the poem as a wallpaper
Read updates and background info on the seva issue
The above poem and artwork is from the book of poetry titled "Pure Longing Fulfilled" by Gurukirin Kaur Khalsa.
"This is a work of great depth and originality in which Gurukirn Kaur Khalsa combines her inspiring poetry, exquisite paintings and photography for the first time in one volume. Both witty and wise, she brings a refreshing perspective to the expression of the soul’s longing for the infinite. Gurukirn Kaur Khalsa is an Award-winning poet and artist. She is a Sikh, and a juried member of Arizona Artists Guild, and a member of the Interfaith Action Coalition. Available in hardcover or softcover"
Years ago my grandmother gave me some old films (back from before the video days) of when I was a wee lad (1-3 years old). A couple years ago I converted them to VHS tape, and lately I have been wanting to convert this to a digital format to better preserve it. I had to do the needful (as they might say in India) and made a DVD of the film to keep. So, since it is done I am sharing it with you. The original films of course didn’t have audio so I added some music by Snatam Kaur.
When I was editing the video Narayan kept pointing to the video saying “That’s me!”…and I would say… “No…that’s ME when I was little”. It’s funny…because many of my kid pictures he thinks are him. I guess he is my son…right? I think Narayan mostly looks like Narayan…but he definitely has some Gurumustuk features.
One thing I noticed with the film was that even back then I had a lot of energy and moved pretty fast. My Aries nature makes me a speedster…always zipping around.
In the film you’ll see me, my mother and father, grandmother and other friends of mine from way back then. It’s not an action packed film…but it is a cool glimpse back at when I was little.
Many of my friends have gotten married recently. It’s great! This past Sunday Dharampal Singh and Ardas Kaur got married.
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