Siva Singh, who arrived in Australia in about 1896, was a Benalla resident who worked as a hawker from 1898.
He established himself as part of the local community and owned a 320-acre farm by 1915.
Siva took on the duties of a Granthi or custodian of the Sikh scriptures in Benalla and surrounding regions, however, was challenged in performing religious ceremonies because of the lack of a Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh scriptures) anywhere in Australia.
A Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was sent from India to Siva in Benalla, and following its arrival, on December 16, 1920, an Akhand Path, or continuous reading, was performed for Hernam Singh on Siva Singh’s farm.
Attended by about 30 Sikhs, the ceremony was photographed by William John Howship, and is the first known Akhand Path that included the Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Australia.
Bush Diwan presents works by artists who have responded to this pivotal moment in Sikh history in Australia by exploring the reclamation of identity, forming, gathering and laying foundations of community.
Bush Diwan is curated by 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art artistic director and chief executive officer Amrit Gill, and curatorial program producer Reina Takeuchi, and features works by six artists; Manisha Anjali, Anindita Banerjee, Monisha Chippada, Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa and Perun Bonser, and Amardeep Shergill.
“The Punjabi word ‘diwan’ means gathering or religious event,” Amrit Gill said.
“The themes of community formation, gathering, reclaiming identity and faith following migration, and antiracism are explored in Bush Diwan.
“In developing this exhibition we considered the universality of the story of Siva Singh —what is left behind in migration and how we form and reform identity in our adopted homes through ceremony and cultural practices, the struggles of racism and the erasure that comes with assimilation — and we hope works chosen will resonate broadly with audiences, particularly those with experiences of migration.”
Benalla Art Gallery director Eric Nash said the exhibition was not an exercise of historical documentation.
“(It’s) a compelling contemporary exhibition underpinned by a local story of national significance,” Mr Nash said.
“(It features) the work of six excellent artists (and) speaks to Siva Singh’s legacy as a Sikh community leader and civil rights campaigner by exploring the development of the Sikh community in Australia since his time.”
Bush Diwan is open and on display until October 16 at Benalla Art Gallery.
The gallery will host an official opening for the exhibition on Friday, August 26, from 6pm.
Numbers are strictly limited. To secure your place, email gallery@benalla.vic.gov.au
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