A SikhNet exclusive interview with Jatinder Singh Durhailay, Artist and Model
SN: You are clearly an artistic individual. You do drawings, paintings, classic raag instrument, Gurbani, fashion and modeling. Which one of these came first? What relationship do you seen between these?
JD: Well, creativity comes from the creator. I have always seen creative people as something that is related to spirituality. As a child, I was always surrounded by imagery. My father bought me a print of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's painting when I was 3. This was my favorite thing to look at as a child. I always used to draw images of Warrior Sikhs and Hindu gods as a child, because I really liked the way they looked. I loved the stories that went with the images as my parents or Grandmother used to tell us.
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Art by Jatinder Singh Durhailay |
SN: What is your philosophy in life?
JD: Two things. Firstly, life is temporary and I always remember death. The human body will die. Secondly, I try to remember the Guru is always with me. Therefore I have nothing to fear. Only the Guru knows my heart. Therefore, I don't perform for any other. I am just a simple learner on this path. I know once i stop learning, that is when my ego kicks in, because you can never stop learning. I am just a student of life.
SN: When you modeled for Levi how did you feel career wise? Now that you have modeled for Louis Vuitton how do you feel?
JD: I don't really care about these names. I only do modelling because I like it. To me, fashion is about being yourself and being able to carry yourself without being afraid of "what others think." So if the big names want to use me for their shoot, it's fine. I really just enjoy it.
SN: Looking back, is there any memory that stands out which impacted you to take the road you have taken in life?
JD: That is a tough question. I can't say it's something I have decided. I just go with the flow and try not to attach to too many things. I am just happy with whatever comes. As for painting and drawing, I work very hard. First and foremost, I see myself as an artist. I have so many ideas and there is a deep fire inside me trying to express this. That is the thing that drives me each and every day. So I cannot say that it is a single external source that inspired me to take the road that I have chosen. It may be a number of things.
SN: Did you get support for your artistic pursuits from your parents? Are they proud you have achieved some recognition now?
JD: Yes. My parents have never told me to quit. They only tell me to be the best that I can be. I never had any support for what I wanted to do artistically but i was not restricted either. I guess they are proud, but I know my parents don't need that to be proud. The only way I can make them proud is by touching my forehead to their feet and being thankful.
SN: Some people don’t like the idea of Sikhs in mainstream media because they believe it misrepresents us as a community. What do you have to say to that?
JD: The bottom line is, you will always face negativity, because that is a basic low human emotion. Of course there will always be something to say about one or another. It depends. If you are trapped in trying impress people, or yourself and God. I am taking these opportunities as they come because, in cinema, Sikhs are somewhat misrepresented. I would like to take steps towards making something worthy of the Sikh History and how Sikhs are tolerant and respectful to all, rather than the image of radical extremists.
SN: What does Sikhi mean to you?
JD: It's simple. It means to Learn. Once I stop learning, that is a dangerous path for me, as i know I am in a place where I shouldn't be. So I see everything in this universe as Sikh, as it has the knowledge to learn. For example a Tree, when a branch breaks, it learns to adapt. Or even atoms - how they adapt to a situation. Sikhi is universal and not separate from the One. The only thing that stands in the way is the concept of "I."
Wahiguru ji!
http://jatindersinghdurhailay.
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| GQ Style 2012. Ozwald Boetang. Photographed by Mark Lebon. |
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Bonjour Johanna & Jatinder Singh Modelling for Adidas shot by Paperboats.me http://www.paperboats.me/article/453 |
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The darkness whispers in one ear, the light in the other, both offer me gifts of paradise. But I refuse both, because today I dance, without my mask, only for you. To neither dark or light do you belong. How is one meant to describe you? with all my heart I feel so deeply sorry for the one, who even tries to describe your greatness, as nothing can be said and nothing ever will. Today I dress like a bride for you, I wear these jewels, I make myself beautiful for you to notice me. But in my ignorance, I fail to realise your temple full of treasures is within my heart. Day and night I make sacrifices and pilgrimages, but for what? My own selfish needs. Tonight my mask falls and smashes, and reveals to me, in all my falseness, you are timeless. So there for I attain a piece of mind that, with you my friend everything is taken care of. I weep but these tears taste so sweet. For now that I know, you in all your splendor are timeless and immortal, timeless and immortal. Poem by Jatinder Singh Durhailay |