Singhs and Kaurs
Who are the Sikhs, where did they come from, how do they look? These are some of the questions that many people here in the west wonder about. As an artist I came up with this series 'Singhs and Kaurs' that shows some of the ways you would spot them. The young boys wear patka or head scarves covering their hair that is tied in a knot or bun on the top of the head. The older males wear turbans that have different shapes and looks and support uncut beards and hair. The young girls and women may sometimes cover their heads with turbans or dupataâ (long scarves) if they have been baptized; if not then they are sporting long hair in whatever hairstyle they fancy. Everyone men or women will cover their head as a sign of respect when they go to a Sikh Temple.There are “Keshdhari Sikhs” (those with long hair and beards), “Amritdhari” Sikhs, those who have been anointed in a special ceremony and "Sehajdhari Sikhs" who trim their long hair and beard and don't wear a turban.