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Artist: Dilrani Kaur, US
Title: Bibi Mumtaz
Medium: Hand Painting
Commissioner: Gurpal Bhandal
Bibi Mumtaz, the daughter of a Muslim named Nihang Khan, medically served Bhai Bachittar Singh, the famed horseman, during his last few days after the great Battle of Anandpur Sahib [1704].
Bhai Bachittar Singh was critically wounded during his defence of the rear of Anandpur Sahib, and Nihang Khan, who had a great deal of devotion for Guru Gobind Singh Ji, took in the injured Bhai Bachittar Singh.
Here, Bibi Mumtaz took medical care of Bhai Ji. When enemy soldiers confronted Nihang Khan and accused him of harbouring enemies, Nihang Khan was able to keep Bhai Bachittar Singh, hidden in the darkness of the room, safe under the guise that he was Bibi Mumtaz’s husband. Soon after Bhai Bachittar Singh became Shaheed and Bibi Mumtaz took Nihang Khan’s words as truth – that she was married to Bhai Bachittar Singh. She would spend the rest of her life in meditative reverence of the Guru as Bhai Ji’s widow.
Artist
Dilrani Kaur, US
Dilrani Kaur is a multi-disciplinary artist born Leeds, in the North of England who recently relocated to Dallas USA. Her work encompasses dance, music and visual art. From a young age, she has been training in Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Santoor and continues to be involved in regular performances, workshops and projects. Dilrani’s art grew from her interest in mehndi and she now creates work on paper, the body and other mediums. Inspired by symmetry, many of her designs include themes of faith, nature and abstract aesthetics.
