Thousands gathered at the Mayor of London's Vaisakhi festival, held on Saturday 28 April. The celebration of Sikh culture and heritage took place in Trafalgar Square following the successful return to the central London location last year. The square became a beacon of culture as it celebrated Vaisakhi this year, in a combination of Sikh and Punjabi tradition, culture and heritage.
The event, coordinated by a Sikh group, commemorates the birth of the Khalsa (the inner core of the Sikh faith) over 300 years ago as well as marking the Punjabi New Year. The Khalsa was founded and led by the Five Beloved Ones, who sought to protect Sikhism which suffered oppression after it was born in 1469.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan attended the event, which boasted of stalls highlighting the Sikh culture, including live stage performances of kirtan and dharmic music and volunteers from the Sikh community treated the audience to langar (free food).
The food was made fresh on the day and was distributed to everyone joining the celebrations in the Square, and there was also a range of street food stalls, selling sugar cane, ice golas and coconut milk.
London Turban Day, tribute to Sikh soldiers and women suffragettes
Guests included famous writer and journalist Anita Anand and City Sikhs Chairman Jasvir Singh OBE, to name a few. Visitors had the opportunity to learn about the Sikh community through a range of stalls and art exhibitions by Sikh artists from around the world. With turban tying demonstrations, sports activities and children’s arts and crafts, there was something for everyone. There was an Army-led obstacle course too.
The world-class musicians leading the dharmic and Gurbani kirtan music-making, included the internationally renowned Lehmber Hussainpuri, London’s own Golden Roots and Qi-Rattan. Younger performers included Manvir Singh Mani, who made the 2017 final of Voice of Punjab and Karanjit Singh from Dharam Seva records.
The event also paid a tribute to the Sikh soldiers who exhibited extraordinary bravery and sacrifices in the service of Great Britain during both World Wars, through a WWI Sikh soldier re-enactment.
To mark the centenary year since the first women secured the right to vote, and as part of the #BehindEveryGreatCity campaign, the Vaisakhi celebrations sone a light on the great female figures of Sikh history and reflected on the role played by Princess Sophia Alexandra Duleep Singh in the Suffrage Movement 100 years ago.
Addressing the crowd, Mr Khan said, "When I think of the Sikh community in London and the contribution they have made to the capital - socially, culturally and economically - I feel proud."
He added, "What an incredible atmosphere in Trafalgar Square today...It was wonderful to see people from all backgrounds coming together to embrace this important Sikh festival."
Manraj Singh Othi, Vaisakhi Steering Group, said, “As both Londoners and Sikhs, we feel the grassroots programme focusing on seva, kirtan and langar will create a day that is inclusive for both Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike. We welcome Londoners from all faiths, beliefs or none to enjoy, learn and celebrate together through a diverse range of colourful displays and engaging activities including a Sikh art exhibition and the first ever London Turban day”.
photo credit: GLA/Caroline Teo
