Page 20 - Masala Lite Issue 168 December 2024

20 IN FOCUS
MODERN

DAY GIANI:

How Harvinder Singh Is Using Tiktok To
Teach Sikhism In Thailand

BY AYUSH MADAN

eing part of a traditional
Sikh Punjabi family,
my understanding of
heritage, faith and identity was
deeply intertwined. Through shared
language, customs, and sakhis
(stories of Sikh history), I saw myself
reflected in those around me. My

family and friends all shared my
features: jet-black hair, prominent C ould you tell Mas al a readers ho w you b e c ame in tere s te d in Sikhism?
Could you tell Masala readers how you became interested in Sikhism?
noses, full lips and large, expressive
I started developing an interest in Sikhism in 2021, sparked by a viewing of the
eyes. It wasn’t until I moved to I s tart ed dev el oping an in t er es t in Sikhism in 2 021, spark ed by a viewing o f the
019)
sari
sari
tarring
Bollywood film Kesari (2019) starring Akshay Kumar. This movie told the story of
K
K
America that I encountered Sikh Boll y w ood fi lm K e e e sari ( ( 2 2 019) s s tarring Akshay K umar . This mo vie t ol d the s t or y o f
the Battle of Saragarhi, a historical event where 21 Sikh soldiers fought valiantly to
converts for the first time – a white the Battle of Saragarhi, a historical event where 21 Sikh soldiers fought valiantly to

defend their outpost against 10,000 Afghan soldiers. Despite being outnumbered,
couple whose devotion to Sikhism defend their outpost against 10,000 Afghan soldiers. Despite being outnumbered,
they showed courage till the very end. Watching this movie gave me goosebumps
shifted my mindset, showing me my they showed courage till the very end. Watching this movie gave me goosebumps
and instilled in me the identity of Sikhs as warriors. Shortly afterward, I found a Sikh
faith’s capacity to transcend race. and instilled in me the identity of Sikhs as warriors. Shortly afterward, I found a Sikh
mentor named Pa Saran in Phuket who helped answer my questions about the faith
mentor named Pa Saran in Phuket who helped answer my questions about the faith
and its practices. After two months, I felt this was the path for me. I started tying a
For Harvinder Singh, a Thai Sikh and its practices. After two months, I felt this was the path for me. I started tying a
turban, which was diffi

cult at fi rst since I didn’t know how to, or even what fabric to

convert, this transcendence lies turban, which was difficult at first since I didn’t know how to, or even what fabric to

use. These days, I have no trouble with it and can tie it in minutes.
at the heart of his journey. Born use. These days, I have no trouble with it and can tie it in minutes.
to Buddhist parents in Thailand,
As a Thai person of Sikh faith, do you feel welcomed by the Sikh community?
Harvinder’s embrace of Sikhism was a As a Thai person of Sikh faith, do you feel welcomed by the Sikh community?
ad,
y
ull
ocall
o
Y
and
and
er
eag
Sikh
es,
ommunity
bo
c
th
l
f
the
has
been
e
abr
y
supportiv
deliberate and deeply personal choice Yes, both locally and abroad, the Sikh community has been fully supportive and eager
er m
tions about the f
aith.
t
y ques
o answ
– one that profoundly reshaped his to answer my questions about the faith.
identity and way of life. Through his How does your family feel about your life choices, faith and culture?
How does your family feel about your life choices, faith and culture?
popular TikTok account, Siam Singh

w
a
t
me
as

Sikhism.
Seeing
tand
A
earing
unusual
fi
t
didn
urban
rs
or
f
w
they
t,
unders
’t
(@harvin_der), Harvinder introduces At first, they didn’t understand Sikhism. Seeing me wearing a turban was unusual for
tanc
ol
I
so
as
e.
s
ew
aw
gr
e
r
them,
they
me
But
oming
bec
as
some
esis
and
der
w
ther
Thai audiences to the teachings of Sikhism, bridging cultural gaps with clarity and empathy. them, so there was some resistance. But as I grew older and they saw me becoming
comfortable in my new identity, they let me make my own choices.
With over 10,000 followers and hundreds of thousands of likes, he thoughtfully addresses comfortable in my new identity, they let me make my own choices.

topics ranging from the significance of turban colours to the distinctions between Sikhism How has your life, mindset, and relationships changed since embracing Sikhism? ?
a
l
r li
h
,
u
se
m
f
d
e
n
a
d re
in
t
, a
s yo
a
r
ge
n
n
a
ci
b
ce
e
H
n
m
d
si
g Si
ns
hi
sm
w
o
o
ti
ip
s ch
h
k
and Islam, gently and confidently correcting common misconceptions among Thais.

e
I’ve become more immersed in the principles of the faith and Waheguru. I’ve also
immers
also
aheguru.
I’v
e
mor
W
I’v
f
o
aith
es
ome
the
in
f
e
bec
principl
ed
and
the
changed my lifestyle, giving up drinking and partying, which caused some friends to
Harvinder’s soft-spoken yet eloquent demeanor plays a pivotal role in his ability to changed my lifestyle, giving up drinking and partying, which caused some friends to
drift away. After my baptism in the Gurdwara, I became an Amritdhari, tethering
engage with and amass a large audience. “People are curious about my identity,” he drift away. After my baptism in the Gurdwara, I became an Amritdhari, tethering
myself to the tenets of the faith, following the Rehat Maryada, and wearing the five
explains, “and I enjoy sharing the beauty of Sikhism with them.” His TikTok videos, which myself to the tenets of the faith, following the Rehat Maryada, and wearing the fi ve
Ks - Kesh, Kara, Kanga, Kachera and Kirpan.
range from vlogs with his Sikh friends to tutorials on tying different turban styles, spark Ks - Kesh, Kara, Kanga, Kachera and Kirpan.

curiosity and enrich people’s understanding of Sikh culture.
e
ople wh
Indian or other p
Thai,
y you
wear a turban?
d by
e
e you
er b
Ha
Have you ever been asked by Thai, Indian or other people why you wear a turban?
v
ev
e
en ask
If so, how do you respond to this question?
Guided by Sikh principles like humility, service, and respect, Harvinder finds fulfillment If so , ho w do you re sp ond to this que s tion?

in sharing his beliefs and helping others see the universality of Sikh values. In his I am often asked this by Thais, Indians and foreigners alike. “How come you wear a
I am often asked this by Thais, Indians and foreigners alike. “How come you wear a

conversation with Masala, Harvinder reflects on his spiritual journey, the hurdles he’s turban but you don’t look Indian?” “Are you mixed?” I always remind them that the
turban but you don’t look Indian?” “Are you mixed?” I always remind them that the
faced as a Thai Sikh, and the joys of introducing others to his faith. t turban is a reminder of my commitment to Sikhism. I am not mixed, I am simply
simpl
y
c
ommitmen
is
t
no
am
I
ed,
mix
t
urban
o
t
I
am
Sikhism.
a
m
eminder
f
r
y
o
someone who converted to Sikhism, and now recognise myself as part of the Sikh
someone who c on v ert ed t o Sikhism, and no w r ec ognis e m ys el f as part o f the Sikh
What is the origin of your name?
community.
Was it given to you by someone or did you choose it yourself? community.
Can you speak Punjabi or sing Shabads?
My Thai name is Isaranupong Muenam, but most people call me Game. When I first Can you speak Punjabi or sing Shabads?

started becoming interested in Sikhism, I naturally also wanted a Punjabi name, and the I’m still learning Punjabi, but I am making progress every week. I attend group Gurmukhi
I
er
pr
at
till
Punjabi,
y
s
es
m
I’
s
eek.
ev
but
oup
ogr
Gurmukhi
w
end
l
t
am
I
earning
gr
making
name Harvinder – meaning “brave warrior of God” – really resonated with me. I have classes with Pa Rajbir on Sundays and take private lessons on Saturdays. Ironically,
,
priv
clas
and
with
onicall
Sat
e
es
Ir
e
ur
days.
l
es
sons
Pa
on
Sundays
at
on
y
s
tak
Rajbir
since adopted the name, and now introduce myself as Harvinder Singh. one of the few phrases I can confidently say is ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਬੋਲਣੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਉਂਦੀ (“I don’t know
y
don
es
I
c
o
den

l
(“I
t

one
as
ew
w
is
s
fi
can
the
’t
kno
f
ay
phr
f
on
ਬੀ
ਜਾ

ਆ
ਦੀ
ਨ

ਂ

ਹੀਂ
ਲ
ਉ
ਣੀ
ਮੈ
ਨੂੰ

ਪੰ
ਬੋ

how to speak Punjabi”). I once found myself in a funny situation when I answered a
uation
y sit
when I
ho
el
ys
w t
f in
unn
a f
answ
speak Punjabi”). I
ed a
onc
e f
er
o
ound m
You have a TikTok account called Siam Singh, which now has over 10 thousand
Ragi in Chiang Mai, who asked where I was from, by saying ਮੈਂ ਬੈਂਕਾਕ ਤੋਂ ਆਇਆ ਹਾਂ (“I’m
followers and hundreds of thousands of likes. How did it all begin, and how do Ragi in Chiang Mai, who asked where I was from, by saying ਮੈਂ ਬੈਂਕਾਕ ਤੋਂ ਆਇਆ ਹਾਂ (“I’m
ac
f
dev
B
e
w
l
”).
o
ok
on
e
s!
f
el
The
his
v
angk
or
oped
om
a
es
r
el
l
e
ook
also
as
f
I’v
pric
you feel about the response from your TikTok audience? from Bangkok”). The look on his face was priceless! I’ve also developed a love for
Kir t an , and can no w sing a f ew shabads. Whil e I’ m c ertainl y no t at the poin t wher e
Kirtan, and can now sing a few shabads. While I’m certainly not at the point where I I
I wanted to introduce Sikhism to Thai people. My aim is not to get people to convert to can take the mic, I enjoy being able to participate on stage.
can take the mic, I enjoy being able to participate on stage.
Sikhism, I simply want them to know what Sikhism is, who the Sikhs are, and what our
What message would you like to leave with Thai people about who Sikhs are?
philosophies represent. That’s why I chose the name Siam Singh to emphasise the fact What message would you like to leave with Thai people about who Sikhs are?
that I am a Thai Sikh. I was born and raised in Thailand and attended a Thai school. I Many Thais have heard of Sikhs but don’t really know what we stand for. Sometimes,
Many Thais have heard of Sikhs but don’t really know what we stand for. Sometimes,
may not have any ancestral ties to Punjab or India, but I was still drawn to the Sikh faith. they confuse Sikhism with Islam, thinking both are the
they confuse Sikhism with Islam, thinking both are the
My TikTok audience has been very positive and curious about my life, and I have made same because of our appearance. For example, it’s not VIEW VIDEO
same because of our appearance. For example, it’s not
lots of videos answering their questions. For example, a recent video I made with my un c om mon f o r pe op l e t o gr eet me wit h “ A s-s a lam u
uncommon for people to greet me with “As-salamu
friend Yahya answering the question, “How do you scratch your head with your turban alayk um, ” as suming I’ m Muslim becaus e I w ear a t urban.
alaykum,” assuming I’m Muslim because I wear a turban.
on?” received 1.3 million views. In these situations, I calmly explain, “I’m Sikh.” My goal
o
explain,
al
y
In
sit
My
g
”
m
“I’
I
calml
e
uations,
thes
Sikh.
with my content has always been to create awareness
with my content has always been to create awareness
and foster understanding about who Sikhs are and what
and f o s t er unders tanding about who Sikhs ar e and what
TikTok Viewer’s Question:
we believe. I hope that through these efforts, people
In Buddhism, the Four Noble Truths lead to w e believ e. I hope that thr ough thes e eff orts, peopl e
deepl
Sikhism
as
a
t
s
f
ee
o
aith
in
ed
t
l
e,
v
o
oo
r
y
ome
the goal of Nirvana. What is the primary goal of Sikhism? c come to see Sikhism as a faith deeply rooted in love,
vic
er
s service and equality. .
e and equality
Harvinder’s answer:
The goal is to achieve unity of mind and heart, a harmonious oneness
with the eternal, supreme, and true God – Waheguru – through love
and mindfulness, which will naturally lead to liberation from
the impermanence of the illusory world.