ABSTRACT

This paper is an exploration and investigation of the frescoes that decorate the majestic haveli (mansion) of Baba Sir Khem Singh Bedi (1832–1905), a Sikh social and education reformer and religious leader. The haveli was constructed in the late nineteenth century. The frescoes are beautiful and interesting in themselves and fill the walls with a plethora of colour and design. They are unique because they represent three religions and cultures, i.e. Sikhism, Hinduism and Islam. Thus this art work is evidence of cultural syncretism. This study used ethnographic field research of the subject at the site and analysis of secondary data. Through close examination of and interpreting these icons this study concluded that this collection must have been Baba Khem Singh’s tribute to the religious and historical personalities he admired; his intention to depict the Sikh religion in its truer sense of belief in a more inclusive theology and his own practical and benevolent religious idealism and also to promote cross culture/religious harmony. This study surmised that displaying these frescoes in his domestic environment gave this ‘pilgrim of the soul’ a transcendental sense of security, protection and certitude in portraying a broader and friendlier universe. The condition of the historic haveli is deteriorating rapidly and the government has not designated it as a heritage site so that it may be protected. Therefore, this study would like to suggest that perhaps UNESCO might consider this site worth conserving.

摘要

本文是对装饰锡克教社会和教育改革者和宗教领袖巴巴爵士坎辛格贝迪（1832-1905 年）雄伟的哈维利（豪宅）的壁画的探索和调查。Haveli 建于十九世纪后期。壁画本身美丽而有趣，墙壁上充满了色彩和设计。它们是独一无二的，因为它们代表三种宗教和文化，即锡克教、印度教和伊斯兰教。因此，这件艺术品是文化融合的证据。本研究使用现场主题的民族志实地研究和二手数据分析。通过仔细检查和解释这些图标，本研究得出结论，该系列一定是 Baba Khem Singh 对他所钦佩的宗教和历史人物的致敬；他打算以更加包容的神学和他自己的实用和仁慈的宗教理想主义，以更真实的信仰来描绘锡克教，并促进跨文化/宗教和谐。这项研究推测，在他的家庭环境中展示这些壁画给了这位“灵魂的朝圣者”一种超然的安全感、保护感和确定性，以描绘一个更广阔、更友好的宇宙。历史悠久的哈维里的状况正在迅速恶化，政府尚未将其指定为遗产地，以便对其进行保护。因此，本研究建议联合国教科文组织可能会认为该遗址值得保护。