Na Koi Hindu, Na Koi Mussalman 2

ARTWORK SUMMARY

Na Koi Hindu, Na Koi Mussalman 2

This artwork symbolically depicts one of the principle teachings of Guru Nanak Ji (founder of the Sikh Faith): 'Na Koi Hindu, Na Koi Mussalman’. Roughly translated as 'There is no Hindu; there is no Muslim', this is interpreted as a declaration of the equality of all in God's eyes – a belief which underpins the Guru's message of universal peace and love.

The iconography takes inspiration from one of the janam sakhi accounts or traditional Sikh stories about the life of Guru Nanak Ji. It describes how as a young man, the Guru

disappeared after going to the river to bathe before his morning prayers one day, and was presumed to have drowned when villagers found his clothes lying on the river bank. The story goes on to reveal how, far from drowning, Guru Nanak had been taken by Divine messengers to the abode of God where he received spiritual enlightenment. After re-appearing three days later, he uttered the words: 'Na Koi Hindu, Na Koi Mussalman'.

This message of peace and love, which is rooted in a recognition of the equality of all regardless of cast, creed or religion, is symbolically represented by a tree where doves unite in flight amongst blossoms denoting different communities of India: the lotus  (Hindus), red roses (Muslims) and marigolds (Sikhs). India itself is represented by its national bird, the peacock, nestling in its branches. The message of universal love is also represented by the coriander flowers on the dark blue background: where coriander is associated with love in plant symbolism, and dark blue, the colour of the universe. The circular arabesque pattern behind the the tree represents the eternal cycle of life whilst the undulating waves of the lotus-filled river represent the spiritual energy and presence of the Divine in God’s creation – a key principal of belief that underpins the Guru's  teaching on the oneness and equality of all.

The non-discriminatory, universal outlook of Guru Nanak's teachings on the equality of all is further reinforced by two figures in the foreground depicting his life companions: Bhai Bala Ji (a Hindu) and the musician Bhai Mardana Ji (a Muslim). In the landscape we see a small but significant detail of Harmandir Sahib, the centre of Sikh faith at Amritsar whose four doors (facing the four directions of the earth) signify an openness to all. Guru Nanak is shown in the artwork with white hair, symbolising his spiritual wisdom.