November

This is a 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, 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 three religions of India: Sikhism, Hinduism and Islam. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Bhai Bala and Bhai Mardana are depicted in an informal setting, sitting around a camp fire, eating, drinking and discussing religion. Guru Nanak enjoyed the company of holy men and engaged them in discussions about the nature of God.

Around 1500 AD, 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, given the times in which Guru Nanak Dev Ji lived, when the Hindus and Muslims of India constantly and bitterly fought each other over religion. The Guru emphasised that, ultimately, in the eyes of God, it is not religion, but one's actions that determines a person's merits.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji witnessed the Mughal invasion of India and the resulting horrors inflicted upon the common people. Besides speaking up against injustice, and rejecting the Hindu caste system, adultery, and ritualism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji preached universal equality. He 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, Sewa (selfless service), social welfare, and 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.”

By 1539, his name had travelled not only throughout India, 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.