In 2019, artist Nirbhai (Nep) Singh Sidhu created the kinetic sculpture Nirankar Object in the Sound of Ek. Crafted from chromed steel and white thread, the piece embodies the fluid nature of Nirankar, or the formless creator, whose presence takes on multiple shapes and forms. This movement reflects the changing nature of the divine and challenges the viewer to rethink superstitions and fear, promoting instead the revolutionary power of love. 

The artwork's physicality mirrors human existence: we are all bound together yet entangled in the customs and rituals that divide us. The delicate white thread tied around the sculpture serves as a visual metaphor for these constraints—belief systems, cultural practices, and superstitions—that hinder us from achieving deeper, more meaningful connections. Just as the strings loop around the steel, our ties to tradition may hold us back, even though we are interconnected as one collective humanity. 

On a deeper level, this sculpture also represents the mind. The artist portrays the mind as a radiant light, distinct from the brain, capable of reaching higher levels of understanding when freed from the distractions of the physical world. By focusing on rituals and outward actions, we often fail to address the inner turbulence within our minds. The sculpture's complex form reflects how our thoughts can become similarly knotted and chaotic, stopping us from attaining true peace. Yet, when the components of the sculpture align in perfect harmony, it echoes the possibility of mental clarity and inner stillness. 

Central to this artwork is the idea that the mind, irrespective of age, race, or creed, is fundamentally unified. The ultimate goal, symbolised by the title’s reference to "Ek" (meaning "One"), is to achieve oneness through "Shabad Guru," the unstruck melody of deep listening. By looking beyond our entanglements and focusing on the sound of the divine, we can find the origin—the only true permanence in a transient world. 

Nirankar Object in the Sound of Ek invites viewers to engage with both the physical and internal struggles we face. How do our personal rituals and beliefs restrict us from connecting with others and with ourselves? How might we transcend these barriers to experience oneness and inner peace? The sculpture offers a dynamic exploration of these questions, encouraging reflection on the light that resides within us all. 

What does this sculpture represent to you? Does it reflect your own mental entanglements, or perhaps the social rituals that influence your life?

— Arts Editor