Some of the first Sikhs in Singapore came from the Punjab region of India in the late 19th century, sailing from the port of Calcutta to join the Sikh Police Contingent under the colonial administration here at the time. But that's not the only story to tell.
From March 27 to September 30, uncover the lesser-known stories, and celebrate the rich heritage and culture of the Sikh community in Singapore with the Indian Heritage Centre's second community co-created exhibition: Sikhs in Singapore – A Story Untold. It's also the centre's first-ever exhibition on Sikh heritage.
The exhibition features more than 450 artefacts from over 50 local and international private collections, institutional collections, as well as Singapore’s National Collection. And they're all split into three parts to help you navigate with ease: Roots, which explores the origins of Singapore’s Sikh community; Settlement, which presents the narratives of Sikh migrants; and Contemporary Perspectives, which offers glimpses into the experiences of contemporary Sikhs, highlighting the ever-evolving Singaporean Sikh identity and the community’s contributions to the nation.
Other highlights include photographic installation Through the Lens, in which local artist-photographer Afiq Omar reimagines the contemporary Singaporean-Sikh identity with 50 young Sikh adults set against the backdrop of iconic cityscapes of Singapore. Local filmmaker Upneet Kaur Nagpal and writer Balli Kaur Jaswal have also put together a specially-commissioned trilogy of films, titled Being Sikh, which offers contemporary perspectives on three aspects of Sikh heritage in Singapore: the role of women, tradition and faith.
Gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Sikh heritage and culture, as well as identity and experience in Singapore with Sikhs in Singapore – A Story Untold. For more information, visit indianheritage.gov.sg.
