The Golden Temple is a marvel of creativity but what makes it more attractive is the art work that adorns the walls, ceilings and floor on the complex. Tribune Correspondent Charanjit Singh Teja and photojournalist Sunil Kumar take you to the pious site of Sikhism tracing down the history of the art
ART work representing rich Sikh architecture in all its distinctive features adorn the walls and floor of Darbar Sahib. Sikh philosophy, lifestyle and their art is beautifully expressed on the marble, frescoes (in mohrakashi), golden plates and murals at the holy shrine. The existing building of Darbar Sahib and Darshani Deorhi (entrance) was reconstructed in 1765 by misl sardars after beating Afghan invader Ahmad Shah Abdali. The art work on marble and gold was done in Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s era. He, after founding the Sikh Empire, rebuilt it in marble and copper in 1809, and overlaid the sanctum with Gold foil in 1830. This has led to the name — the Golden Temple.
The marble pavements (parikrama) was also built during the Sikh rule. However, the parikarma was extended by the SGPC in 1950-55 and several other buildings were reconstructed in the past few decades, but the 18th century art patterns, designs and styles were followed. The building of Akal Takht, which was damaged by the Indian Army in 1984, also has great art work.
The ‘naqqashi’ and marble art was restored at the new building of Akal Takht, Gurdwara Thara Sahib and Shaheedi Yaadgar on the Golden Temple complex in the last two decades.
MARBLE WORK
The marble used at the Darbar Sahib is of different hues, mainly white black yellow and green-cum-grey. Commonly called Kota stone, but, it comes from various locations of the country including Agra, Jaipur Jaisalmer, Bombay, Kolkata, Madhya Pradesh and Madras.
GOLD WORK
COLOURED STONE IN MARBLE (JARATKARI)
COLOURED STONE IN MARBLE (JARATKARI)
Jaratkari — the art of engraving coloured stones in marble — is quite common at Darbar Sahib. It enhances the beauty of the holy building. Most of the stones used for Jaratkari are natural stones brought from various areas of Rajasthan. Neelam, Nag, Surkha, Lajwart, Kattu are some of the stones that have been used on the temple complex.
NAQQASHI
IVORY INLAY ON DARWAJA
TUKRI WORK
COLOURFUL CHHATRI OF DARSHANI DEORHI
(With inputs from the book The Golden Temple: Past and Present by Dr Madanjit Kaur, former professor GNDU)
Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.
3
5