Portraying the Guru

Book excerpt: Brings to light the evolution of Sikh art from the eighteenth to the twentieth century. Breaking fresh ground in the study of Sikh art, after the pioneering contributions of W.H. McLeod and B.N. Goswamy, this book on Sikh art evolution is centred on portraits of Sikh Gurus from the eighteenth to the twentieth century. It examines around two hundred and fifty texts of art, of various mediums, scattered across museums and private collections the world over. Ikeda artfully proves how Guru Nanak's portraiture catered to the spiritual and cultural needs not only of ordinary Sikhs, but also satisfied the expectations of the newly formed urban middle class. Including critical review of Harjot Oberoi's study and emphasizing the significant role of Sikh art in the formation of a distinct Sikh community's identity, the author takes note of how the Singh Sabha Movement (1873-1909) and the Akali Movement of 1920 onwards popularized devotional portraits of Guru Nanak even though idolatry is forbidden in the sacred text Guru Granth Sahib. It underlines how there was a paradigm shift in the mentality of Sikh society under the colonial impact of the British Raj. This highly illustrated volume will not only be appreciated by students of visual arts, researchers and academics, but also by the universities across the world in which Sikh Studies are taught. Atsushi Ikeda, a historian of South Asian art, specialising in Sikh art and visual culture, holds an MFA from Kyoto City University of Arts, an M.Res. from Kyoto University and a doctorate from SOAS University of London. Having worked as an art director in a Japanese company, he currently serves as the Chief Director of the Japanese Organisation for the Promotion of Indian Art and Culture (JOPIAC).