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Arts

Kanga: An Art Exploration

By Harleen Kaur & Rasna Kaur

 

“Kanga” is the second set in an art series called “Kakaars.” “Kakaars,” a poetry and photo series uncovering the identity of the Sikh female. Through Harleen’s creative writing and Rasna’s visual storytelling, we hope to show another side of what the Kaur identity means to us. While our own experiences have undoubtedly impacted our understanding of the project, we hope that each and every Kaur can also bring her narrative to the series. Most importantly, this project is not only about our own experiences as Kaurs, but strives to empower all Sikh females to create an understanding for themselves.

 

Check out “Kes,” the first set in the “Kakaars” series! Make sure to check back each week for a new installment of the “Kakaars” series!

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Kanga: Clarity

 

The comb:

Dark, rigid, strong

Against the cool,

Whiteness

Of my table.

 

Each bristle

Representing a time

When I stood

When I fought

When I remained

Unbending to your

Demands

Desires

Wishes

Orders of what it means to be

Sikh.

 

How you wanted me to clean my head of

All things outside your tradition

Outside of your past

Outside of what is

American/Indian/Punjabi/Human.

 

Each strand parts

Like each flowing of a river

Parting at a fork

Choosing the path of destiny

Each and every time

 

Brush. Clean. Repeat.

 

The bristles move through the darkness

Cleaning the dirt

And the dead away

Leaving light

And life

 

My skin:

Dark, rigid, strong

Against the cool,

Whiteness

Of yours.

 


 

Harleen

Rasna