London photographers Amit and Naroop aim to capture the heart of Sikhism through a portrait exhibition called “The Sikh Project.” These unique and touching portraits and accompanying vignettes share the experiences of members of that faith in America and personalize the religion. The featured practitioners span a range of lifestyles and occupations: a jazz trumpet player, U.S. Army major, New York City subway operator, city councilman, television producer and many more.
The Sikh Project began in London and was brought to the United States for an exhibition on Broadway in New York City in September 2016, courtesy of the Sikh Coalition, and was featured recently in an engaging article on The Huffington Post: “Vibrant Portraits Capture the Faces and Stories of Sikhs in America.”
“In this day and age, no one should feel that they need to fit in. Being like everyone else is boring. Staying true to who you are takes courage.”—Amit and Naroop
Sikhism takes its name from the Punjabi word for “disciple” of “learner.” It is a monotheistic religion founded in the Punjabi region of South Asia in the 15th century. It is practiced by an estimated 25–28 million people. The Sikh Project purpose is to bridge and understanding of Sikhism and the people who comprise its devotees by telling their stories.
Amit and Naroop are raising funds on Kickstarter to publish their exhibition in a book.
For more information about this project, including samples of the images and stories it contains, visit the photographers’ website.
For information about the Sikh Coalition and its efforts to end discrimination against members of the Sikh religion, visit the Sikh Coalition website.
