November

This is Graphite and Charcoal drawing of the founder of Sikhism 'Guru Nanak Dev Ji' (1469-1539) and his Hindu and Muslim companions 'Bhai Bala and Bhai Mardana'. It is set in the Himalayan Mountains, which was one of the many places 'Guru Nanak Dev Ji' and his companions travelled to in their lifetimes.

This drawing was trying to show the unity between the three religions of India, Sikhism, Hinduism and Islam. 'Guru Nanak Dev Ji' and 'Bhai Bala and Bhai Mardana' are depicted in a more informal setting, with them sitting around a camp fire, eating and drinking and discussing religion. Guru Nanak enjoyed the company of holy men and engaged them in long discussions about the nature of God.

Around the year 1500, Guru Nanak Dev Ji had a revelation from God, and shortly thereafter, he uttered the words: ‘There is No Hindu, There is No Muslim’. This pronouncement was substantial, as it referred to the day and age in which Guru Nanak Dev Ji lived: Hindus and Muslims of India constantly and bitterly fought each other over the issue of religion.

The Guru meant to emphasise that, ultimately, in the eyes of God, it is not religion that determines a person's merits, but one's actions.

The Guru witnessed the Mughal invasion of India, and saw the horrors inflicted upon the common people by the invaders. Guru Nanak Dev Ji did not hesitate to speak up against injustice. Besides rejecting the Hindu caste system, adultery, and ritualism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji preached universal equality.

In consistence with his message of equality, Guru Nanak Dev Ji scorned those who considered women to be evil and inferior to men by asking, 'Why should we call her inferior, when it is she who gives birth to great persons?'He preached the concept of love, humility, compassion, selfless Sewa, social welfare, moral, social and spiritual values. He preached the sermon of human liberty, equality and fraternity.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji emphasised, "Truth is high but higher still is truthful living.'

In1539, his name had travelled not only throughout India's north, south, east and west, but also far beyond into Arabia, Mesopotamia (Iraq), Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Afghanistan, Turkey, Burma and Tibet. New records now show his name even as far as Europe, and in particular Italy.