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The Sikh Review: 60 Years of Yeoman Service

by GURMEET KAUR

 

 

 

When you juxtapose the words ‘Sikh’ and the city of ‘Calcutta’, two images come to mind; both of them strikingly uncommon.

One is that of the tragic culmination of the historic voyage of the "Komagata Maru” ship in 1914. The incident made history when 350 Sikhs, as citizens of the British Empire, sailed into Vancouver harbor, only to be compelled to return to Calcutta, then to be fired upon by the British police killing 18 of them.

The second is of the remarkable monthly journal, ”The Sikh Review”, which will shortly complete 60 years of continuous publication.

How many Sikh journals can boast of having started in the mid - 20th century and continue to march into the 21st with the same vitality, consistency and focus as they were once conceived?

Shortly, the periodical will embark on its 60th year. As I hold the December 2011 issue (# 696) in my hands, I am filled with a sense of gratitude: gratitude for its incredible resilience. Gratitude also for the fact that Sikhs have created such institutions to serve new generations. Gratitude also that it is the Sikh awakening and blazing of a cultural renaissance of the early 1900s that brought our community back to its transcendental realm.

“The Sikh Review” is one such example of that dynamic.

Today, “The Sikh Review” forges ahead as a major connection for the Sikhs worldwide; even as the Sikh diaspora has spread far and wide, the journal has helped global Sikhism to stay connected with the core of its theological, educational and socio-cultural ethos.

The Sikh Review was conceived by an extraordinary group of gursikhs in a post World War II study circle which drew inspiration from writer, editor and publisher, Raghbir Singh Bir, who ran a monthly, “Aatam Science” in his spare time even as he edited the Punjabi language daily, “Desh Darpan”.

This study circle came up with the idea of an English language journal and heralded its first issue in September-October 1953, with the WW-II hero, Capt. Bhag Singh as its first the editor, guided by Ms. Marguerite Allen Randhawa and the oriental scholar, Dr. Hira Lal Chopra who was equally at home with Persian, Sanskrit, Arabic and Punjabi.

Among people who contributed to it with heart and soul were Sirdar Kapur Singh, ICS, and Dr. Trilochan Singh, Ph.D., D.Litt.

A notable milestone in the life of the journal was the difficult decade of 1980’s when almost all Sikh journals and newspapers in India were scrutinized, censored and even forced to stop their publication and distribution. “The Sikh Review” too suffered. The Indian Army’s assault on the Darbar Sahib took a toll on the aging Capt. Bhag Singh's (the founding editor) health. His daughter and physician son had to persuade him to leave for Chandigarh for rest and treatment. The shock was unbearable for the World War II hero.

“The Sikh Review” struggled but kept going uninterrupted, thanks to the arrival of Sardar Saran Singh, a recently retired senior and much-sought after Indian Administrative Officer and trouble-shooter, in 1983-84. He had only recently completed a stint as advisor to the Government of Assam during a crisis-ridden period for the state.

Under his guidance ... and defiance of Indian government attempts to interfere - the journal continued publishing right through, openly and honestly writing about the strange goings-on in New Delhi and Punjab.

Bound Volumes in their Calcutta/ Kolkata office testify to their collective devotion, as well as God's grace.

So what makes “The Sikh Review” go on and thrive when many others have come and gone?

The mission, the focus and the sense of selfless service!

The team remains stead fast in its mission: To spread the light of gurbani and truth in a way that is applicable to the younger and modern generation honed in the English language, and to cover all aspects of Sikhism in a new idiom.

What is remarkable is the team’s mode of operation that has kept the journal on an even keel. No profit. No personal ego. No politics. It is truly a “panthic” effort, free from hazy confusions - dedicated to humanitarian goals.

From around the globe, scholars and learners alike contribute their writings as a labor of love. An editorial board, with the best minds worldwide, works smoothly to select and streamline the articles.

The dedicated volunteer representative body reaches out to Sikhs in every country they live in, with the sole intent to disseminate the mission of our Gurus to people of all ages on every continent.

Each monthly issue of “The Sikh Review” is a digest of fewer than 100-pages. It does not boast of fancy paper or graphics, just good contents. Contents that range from the philosophical to the practical day-to-day aspects of Sikhi, from graphic glimpses of history to current concerns that challenge Sikhs anywhere they call home; from reviving the classics to the review of the latest happenings in the scene of fine arts, cinema, music or books. It is in chaste English, supplemented with gurmukhi fonts when needed.

The content is easy to read and digest, and covers aspects that appeal to a wide range of thoughts and lifestyles centered on Sikhi.

The October 2011 issue has at least 50% of content that is exclusively written for the journal. The beginning few pages are devoted to the spiritual and theological aspects, which in this issue cover topics such as meditation on a shabad, an Editorial on the Gift of “Naam”, the origins of the practice of chanting “Waheguru”, and the majesty of “Japji Sahib”.

The journal then moves on to the area of “Moral Tradition” where the uniqueness of Guru Nanak’s philosophy is addressed with the question of why this has not been a popular subject amongst the intellectuals of today.

Next is the “Art of Conversation”, as taught by the Gurus and applicable to our daily lives in the contemporary context.

The journal then moves onto more earthly realms, and lands the readers into the panoramic landscape of recent history - the era between Banda Singh Bahadar to Maharaja Ranjit Singh, followed by a tribute to the 19th century raagi, Bhai Hira Singh, an interview with Hardeep Singh Puri, India's Ambassador  to the United Nations, and  then the  Sufi singer Rabbi Shergill’s new album ... 

In the “Classics” section, a translation of Bhai Vir Singh’s popular but forgotten novel Sundari is covered in installments. The Youth Section features an article from a law student in Canada on appreciating the kirpan for what it is - covering its spiritual, functional, rational, traditional and judicial aspects.

And then there are the poetry, arts and news sections, featuring the latest and newsiest items from the previous month. Two new books are reviewed by the editor in this edition and the section on “Letters to the Editor” lets the readers communicate their thoughts on the previous editions and what they would like to see in the forthcoming ones.

In short, there is something new and interesting for everyone out there, no matter if one is connected to any or all aspects of being and becoming a Sikh!

So what do we do with this treasure out there?

I would say, take advantage of it, learn from it and help it thrive.

One could start by giving away subscriptions as gifts to oneself, family members and friends. For libraries, bound volumes of the journal’s prior issues are available. You could gift prior volumes to your gurdwara library or acquire them for your own.

You could use the journal for your monthly book club meetings or material for adult learning at the Sunday Gurmat School.

One could argue that “Why in the age of free internet articles would you subscribe to a hard copy monthly journal?”

There are a few good reasons.

1  There is no substitute for reading pleasures while unwinding in your easy chair with article-after-article carefully selected to fill you in with the best of the Sikh world.

2  Quality - with editors like S. Saran Singh and the likes of Dr. I.J. Singh on the editorial board, you can rest assured that you are getting the best in content.

3   It is eminently affordable. Those on the subcontinent can subscribe to it at an annual cost of Rs. 250, the Europeans
for UK £20 and the rest of the world for US$40 for 12 Issues - inclusive of shipping costs by air.

4   It is a piece of history that has inspired and connected Sikhs from across the world for the last six decades and plans to do so for many more to come.

5  Most of the content is written exclusively for “The Sikh Review” and is not available on the internet.

Membership has additional benefits, such as online searching for all the old archives.

It is in our own interest to keep such efforts viable so we have a media of our own that widely shares the truth about Sikhs and Sikhi to our people, as well as to others worldwide. Also, there is no better way than having more subscribers, wider readership and greater involvement, in order to maintain and improve the quality of the journal.

With an excellent track record, readership and support from around the world, it can be hoped that “The Sikh Review” will keep lighting the path for many future generations everywhere on this planet. It is the best hard copy Sikh monthly in the English language that truly inculcates pride and is one worth saving.

A must for every library and home!

To subscribe:

For Punjab and other points on the subcontinent: Please send the cheque/draft to: The Sikh Review, Room # 116, Karnani Mansion, 25A Park Street, Kolkata 700016, India.

For elsewhere in the diaspora: Please give the following instruction to your bank:

Please remit US$/UK£ ...  to Standard Chartered Bank, N.Y., (AEIBUS33) for credit of a/c # 000698977 of Allahabad Bank, International Br., Kolkata for further credit of "The Sikh Review" ( S.B. a/c # 20091021504) with their Park Street Br., S.W.I.F.T Code (ALLAINBBCPS).

In all cases: Please send the remittance information and address by email to sikhreview@vsnl.com

For local distribution wherever you live in the diaspora, or more information, please contact: sikhreview@vsnl.com or visit www.sikhreview.org/contacts.html

 

December 26, 2011

Conversation about this article

1: Baldev Singh (Bradford, United Kingdom), December 26, 2011, 4:50 PM.

The younger generation urgently needs to learn the Gurmukhi script and the spoken Punjabi language, to show that we are serious about keeping our 'Faith'.

2: Roop Dhillon (Reigate, United Kingdom), December 26, 2011, 5:26 PM.

I have already published books in Punjabi. If I could do that in my 30's and still provide for the economic needs of my family, then no other Sikh in the diaspora - 'western-born' or otherwise - has an excuse. 'No action' is, at best, laziness ... at worst, it results in the loss of one's cultural roots ...

3: T. Sher Singh (Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada), December 27, 2011, 1:59 AM.

"The Sikh Review" had a seminal influence on my life, particularly in shaping me as a writer. To begin with, even in my pre-teen years, I became addicted to the monthly arrival of the journal. I quickly lapped up everything it had to offer, and would then hunger for more. [The only other source of Sikh material of the same calibre then was the quarterly, "The Missionary", which unfortunately closed down a few years later, to my utter consternation.] More importantly, The Sikh Review became a breeding ground for writers ... it provided a ready platform for anyone who wanted to write on Sikh issues, and encouraged especially the young ones to write regularly. I can't recall the names but there were so many young men and women - some even children like me - who contributed regularly from around the world, and regaled me with their passion and erudition. They were an endless wellspring of inspiration for me. I had an added blessing then: S. Saran Singh ji, the journal's current editor, was then posted in Patna where we lived, as an IAS officer, serving as the Chief Secretary to the Government of Bihar. At the Friday night satsang gatherings that a handful of local Sikh families attended regularly, he would push me incessantly to write and even to keep a diary ... and then introduced me to S. Mohan Singh Kalra, who was acting editor of The Sikh Review while Capt. Bhag Singh was ailing. Through frequent correspondence between him and I (who was still waiting to enter my teens), S. Mohan Singh gave me my first deadlines ... and turned me into a writer. Seeing my name in print in The Sikh Review was heady and a big boost to my ego - necessary ingredients to keep you going, considering that writing in those early stages was, in the words of another, as difficult as child-birth. Then, when I began to experiment with fiction, I concocted a lengthy piece on the First Vaisakhi by imagining it from the perspective of Dya Ram (who later became Bhai Dya Singh, the first of the Punj Pyare.) Despite its horrendous length and meanderings, The Sikh Review published it ... and I was transformed, irreversibly, into a wordsmith, even though it would take many more years to reach fluency. Both sikhchic.com and I owe so-o much to both S. Saran Singh and The Sikh Review!

4: Bibek Singh (Jersey City, U.S.A.), December 27, 2011, 9:39 PM.

One of the few magazines (worldwide) where the focus is purely on the content. You may or may not agree with all the viewpoints, but you can be rest assured that the authors must have put their heart and soul in composing the articles. Thanks to all involved ... pray you continue this passionate endeavour!

5: Dalvinder Singh Grewal (Ludhiana, Punjab), December 28, 2011, 12:39 PM.

I have been a reader of The Sikh Review since 1962 and a contributor since 1987. The journal has been continuously growing in providing research material for the global readers and bringing to light new research in the field of Sikhism, theology and such other matters, covering a wide range. Earlier, Capt. Bhag Singh and now Sardar Saran Singh have been doing excellent work in selecting the material and providing editorial comment. They deserve great appreciation. I congratulate and thank Sardar Saran Singh for his relentless service at this age.

6: Harpreet Singh (Delhi, India), December 28, 2011, 1:15 PM.

I came to know about the existence of this great journal twenty years ago when I was 23 years old. I visited a gurdwara in South Delhi and some old issues were lying there. It was so impressive. I showed these copies to many of my friends and relatives, mostly much older than me, and many of them were well read. All of them were surprised to know the existence of such a wonderful Sikh periodical. I remember one of my relatives, at his own cost, subscribed to it for many of his friends. There are some more good Sikh magazines in Punjabi, English, Hindi, etc. And I request sikhchic.com to write about them, including their contact info. I think many Sikh families still do not know about such great magazines or books or simply cannot afford the cost. Maybe they do not want to spend money on literature. There's one more shortcoming. Delhi is a big city having a large Sikh population as well as many sehajdharis who attend gurdwaras in large numbers. The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee has opened good Sikh literature shops at four gurdwaras. But such journals are not available for display or sale or subscription. Nor does any other book or news-shop offer this service. This is sad, considering this is a city with a substantial Sikh population and an elaborate Sikh nfrastructure.

7: Davinder Pal Singh (Chandigarh, Punjab), December 28, 2011, 2:10 PM.

It's time for everything to go online! In 2007 when Panjab Digital Library added magazines to their digitization list, The Sikh Review was the first and natural selection. All issues of this great monthly magazine since 1953 were digitized in 2008. The cooperation of S. Saran Singh, S. Harjeet Singh and all volunteers of The Sikh Review was exemplary. We had about 90% of the issues in our collection; the rest were sent by the management of The Sikh Review to our office for digitization. These were returned after digitization along with complete set of digitized files. You can read all old issues online at http://panjabdigilib.org/webuser/searches/mainpage.jsp?CategoryID=2

8: Gurcharan Singh Kulim (Brentwood, United Kingdom), December 29, 2011, 4:47 AM.

It has always been one of the top Sikh journals and remains so even today.

9: Sharan Pal Singh Sandhu (Canada), January 01, 2012, 10:45 AM.

The Sikh Review is one of the best Sikh journals. The contents are always logical and makes one proud to be a Sikh.

10: Gagan Singh (Union City, California, USA), March 10, 2013, 10:28 PM.

I was trying to find a way to subscribe to the Sikh Review in the US for a long time. Finally I came across the magazine subscription service from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006KX05/ Hope this helps others too.

11: Vir Singh (India), June 20, 2015, 11:21 AM.

I am a Life Member of The Sikh Review since my college days.

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