By Harleen Kaur & Rasna Kaur
“Kara” is the fourth 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 the first three sets in the “Kakkars” series: “Kes,” “Kanga,” and “Kirpan“! Make sure to check back each week for a new installment of the “Kakaars” series!
Kara: Sacrifice
A single, solitary fist
Stood up against the sky
“I need five heads, who will give their life?”
Sarbloh: pure iron, unyielding and true
Representing the purity I try to create
Within me
Reflecting You
Never-ending
Akaal moorat
Never-beginning
Ajooni
Timeless
Saibha(n)g
Circularly representing the sacrifice
I must make of my own mind
Impart your wisdom onto mine
Let me become pure
I reach my fingers towards the sky
Hoping to find some glimpse
Of what might be waiting for me
Of what there is of you
But iron, cold against my wrist
Reminding me to look inside
Forge my work out of fire
It is all Divine
My core identity pulled in separate directions
My Kaur identity always asking me questions
Wanting to please those around me
Wanting to please You inside of me
I reach forward, I’m pulled back
Tell me, how do I give myself to You?
Fingers reach upwards
Golden brown against a pure blue sky
Pure iron glinting with sunlight
Still searching
For You
