India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: The arts, culture, community spirit, and pride were on display at a recent gathering in The Sikh Heritage Gallery at the National Natural History Museum, Smithsonian Institution (SI) in Washington, D.C. The occasion was the installation of three original drawings of famous Sikh historic shrines and pilgrimage centers in India: Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, Sri Bangla Sahib, New Delhi, Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib by India-born, Indiana artist Kanwal Prakash "KP" Singh at the Gallery.

The present exhibit at The Sikh Heritage Gallery titled, "Sikhs ~ Legacy of the Punjab" has been a major attraction, and for millions of visitors a first introduction to Sikh faith, cultural heritage, and contemporary creativity for the last three and a half years. The three KP Singh drawings installed at The Gallery entrance lead the viewer on a journey of a young faith, its history, and spirit.

The drawings are on loan to SI from the Sikhpoint.com collections.Artist K.P. Singh, members of his family, representatives of The Kaur Foundation (Mirin Kaur, Founder and husband, Tejbir Singh) and Sikhpoint.com (Bicky Singh, Founder, CEO & President of Future Computing Solutions, Inc.), representatives of the media, and others in attendance were warmly welcomed by Dr. Paul Taylor, Director, Asian Cultural History Program ~ Curator of Asian, European, and Middle Eastern Ethnology at the Smithsonian Institution. A special reception in honor of Kanwal Prakash "KP" Singh took place at the residence of Awtar and Birendar Singh, parents of Mirin Kaur, in Potomac, Maryland.

The evening program began with a welcome by Mirin Kaur, the principal organizer of the Reception and a leader in the Sikh American community. Sardar Raminder Jassal (Deputy Ambassador - Indian Embassy, Washington) in his introduction of the honored guest, K.P. Singh praised the work and elegant drawings of the artist and his commitment to draw attention to sacred and significant architecture through his artwork and advocacy.

Dr. Paul Taylor's introduction of K.P. Singh was equally passionate about his appreciation of the elegance of three drawings from the Sikhpoint.com collection and their placement at the entrance to The Sikh Heritage Gallery. KP Singh in his gracious response thanked Ambassador Raminder Jassal and Dr. Paul Taylor. He spoke of the all-embracing Sikh spirit, commandments, faith-mandated identity, and Sikh history, righteous defiance, and universal ideals. He quoted scriptures to reinforce his personal understanding and commitment to honor his faith and sanctity of all faiths.