vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fateh sangat ji,
With great effort, we have finished writing an account of the daily life and lifestyle of Humble Sevaks at the Guru's Dharamshalas 500-300 years ago. Many people assume that it must have been like how their grandparents lived in rural Punjab, or like it is at a Nihang Dera, but this is not the case. It was different to contemporary Punjabi/North Indian culture. Everything was completely different: the way of life, the Soch, sanskar and material culture. People lived communally and self-sufficiently. Everything had a sacred function. The food and medicine was different. The ceremonies and rites were different. Even the whole geography was different- thick jungles with tigers and elephants. Today these Dharamshalas, jungles and wildlife sadly no longer exist and most of the puratan lifestyle has gone. As some of you may agree, Dharamshala life during the Guru's period, was an Akaal Jeevan- and is how we are meant to be living today also, so it is of double importance for us to know and understand our true history.
SEVA REQUEST: To make the words come alive so that people can relate, we are looking for a spiritually minded artist to make a few colour paintings of what is described. It is only 5-7 pages but has several potential scenes that could be depicted. There are no sakhis at this time- it is a plain description of how things were, how people thought, lived, interacted, behaved, dressed, ate, prayed etc. It would be helpful if the artist is familiar with pre-industrial Indigenous culture. The Guru Matas nurtured Dharamshalay so it would be fitting for an Amritdhari bibi to take up this seva, but anyone is welcome to apply.
The entire project is non-profit and not linked to any Jatha. It will be freely published online for all, with due credit to the artists if they want it.
Please send me a private message for more details.
Bhai Preetam Singh
Canada
