The Sikh Initiative, a Toronto-based non-profit organization, organized a Gurmukhi calligraphy workshop to commemorate Sikh Heritage Month at Algoma University, Brampton. The workshop focused on teaching students to write Gurmukhi ancient techniques and tools.
“We are trying that our children remain connected with Gurmukhi too,” says Arminder Singh, a teacher, and volunteer at the Sikh Initiative. “We can start from our homes slowly. We can slowly tell everyone that we will speak Punjabi at home, and use Gurmukhi. We love Guru Sahab, it’s not that if we speak English we don’t love Guru Sahab. But we have to preserve what we got in our heritage.”
Students included people of all ages and they used quill pens to write in Gurmukhi.
“When Sikhs come to foreign countries, it (Gurmukhi) becomes extinct,” says Karanvir Singh. “It is a good experience and exposure to learn how the ancient people wrote Gurmukhi and what it feels like to sharpen pencils.”
April is the Sikh Heritage Month in Canada. It is a chance for the Canadian Sikh Community to celebrate, appreciate and connect with Sikh history and heritage. The month also helps make Canada more exclusive.
To attend or volunteer for the Sikh Heritage events, click here: https://www.sikhheritagemonth.ca/calendar
