Sculpture plan to celebrate role of Sikhs in city
APPLICATION FOR PROMINENT EMBLEM ON ROUNDABOUT
A ROUNDABOUT near the city centre could feature a sculpture of a spectacular ancient Sikh emblem.
Plans have been submitted to Nottingham City Council for permission to build a stainless steel sculpture of a Khanda, an ancient symbol with deep significance to the Sikh community, set into a marble plinth, on the roundabout connecting Gregory Boulevard and Sherwood Rise.
The symmetrical emblem, made up of three objects – a solid circle, two interlocked swords, and a single sword in the centre – has many meanings in the Sikh faith, including justice and the leadership of gurus.
The plans, submitted by Sikh community figure Satpal Singh Thamu, are for a Khanda sculpture reaching 3.54 metres high and 3.19 metres wide at the base of the plinth, surrounded by a 1.2-metre fence.
The location has been chosen for its proximity to three of Nottingham’s gurdwara, Sikh places of worship, including the Sikh Temple on Sherwood Rise.
Pvail Singh, a member of the Sikh community and a volunteer involved on the project, said: “We thought this was a really good way of celebrating our community. This point was chosen as an entry point into the city. There are three Sikh temples nearby.
“Sikhs have been here [in Nottingham] since the 1960s and have always had quite a prominent role within the city. There have been several high-profile Sikhs within the city. That has probably not been recognised much.
“The position has been chosen specifically to show that the gurdwara are nearby and open for anyone who needs shelter and food.
“At times of heightened religious tension it’s important to remember that. Remembering humanity is more important. Sikh principles of equality towards all people and recognising the human race as one, and the Khanda is synonymous with that.”
Mr Singh has employed Nottingham architects Henry Mein Partnership to draw up the plans, which will be considered by city councillors and planners.
The application refers to the Sikh community’s proud role in the city, almost 60 years after the first gurdwara was established in The Meadows, and cites charitable initiative Guru Nanak’s Mission, which feeds homeless people.
It states that the aim of the project is to celebrate the “vitality to life and society that the Sikh community is contributing to the city and the wider county” and “further help integrate the Sikh community with the city, and in this location in particular”.
We thought this was a really good way of celebrating our community
Pvail Singh