- Dignitaries and members of the Sikh Museum Initiative.
The Sikh Museum Initiative (SMI) marked its 10th Anniversary on Wednesday 29th October with a prestigious celebration hosted at the University of Leicester Heritage Hub. The event brought together heritage professionals, community leaders, academics, and members of the public from across the country.
Hosted by Kartar Singh (SMI), the event opened with welcome addresses from Professor Sarah Scott, Director of the Heritage Hub; Lord-Lieutenant Mike Kapur OBE; and Professor Nishan Canagarajah, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester.
Distinguished guests included the Mayor of Oadby & Wigston, Councillor Jasvir Chohan, The Very Reverend Karen Rooms, Dean of Leicester. Also in attendance were members of the Sikh community and University of Leicester department heads, reflecting the broad support for the Initiative’s work over the past decade.
The programme featured captivating talks by:
Dr Simon Dixon, Head of Archives and Special Collections, University of Leicester
Natasha Bennett, Curator of Oriental Collections, Royal Armouries, Leeds
Taranjit Singh, Chief Technology Officer, Birmingham Open Media
Gurinder Singh Mann, Director, Sikh Museum Initiative
2. Taranjit Singh outlining the work of the SMI
A key highlight of the evening was the unveiling of two Sikh weaponry artefacts digitised in 3D from the collection at Kedleston Hall (National Trust) — an exciting addition to SMI’s growing portfolio of digital Sikh heritage. These objects were presented in immersive digital format, showcasing the potential of 3D technology to preserve and share Sikh history globally.
Guests also explored creative displays by Amandeep Kaur Art, Rajpal Singh (Intrinsikh Arts), and Harinder Singh (Sikhlens), as well as the SMI’s own VR and touchscreen installations, offering interactive engagement with Sikh artefacts and stories.
Photography and videography were provided by Punjab2000.com, capturing an evening that celebrated the intersection of tradition, innovation, and community collaboration.
Reflecting on the milestone, Gurinder Singh Mann, Director of the Sikh Museum Initiative, stated:
“Our ten-year journey represents a blend of heritage, scholarship, and technology. The digitisation of Sikh artefacts from Kedleston Hall is a proud moment — it brings history to life in new and powerful ways, ensuring these treasures are preserved and shared for future generations.”
For more information, visit: www.sikhmuseum.org.uk
Chakram and Trishul digitised in 3D by the Sikh Museum Initiative (available at www.anglosikhmuseum.com)
