Summary

Square cloth with a green background and gold Khanda pattern called a patka used by Arvi or Ronnie circa 2010. The patka is a Sikh head covering which is worn by Sikh children who are not ready to wear tubans. Sometime during their teenage years, Sikh children take part in the dastaar bandhi ceremony where they tie a turban for the first time and affirm their identity as Sikhs. Thereafter, they wear the turban.The patka can also be worn by adult Sikhs as an under-turban and when playing sport.

The khanda is a sacred symbol of the Sikh faith. It consists of a solid circle known as a Chakra, two interlocked swords known as Kirpans and one double edged sword known as the Khanda in the centre. The right edge of the double edged sword symbolises freedom and authority governed by moral and spiritual values while the left edge symbolises divine justice which punishes wicked oppressors. The double edged sword also symbolises the demolition of the barriers of caste and other inequalities. The Chakra circle symbolises oneness, unity, justice, humanity and morality. The two Kirpans represent the two swords of Guru Hargobind and signify the spiritual and temporal leadership of Gurus. The left Kirpan signifies spiritual sovereignty and the right Kirpan signifies political sovereignty.

This particular patka displays the colours of Arvi and Ronnie's favourite cricket team, Australia, and is similar to one worn by Arvi when he plays for the Eildon Park Cricket club.

Physical Description

Square cloth with a green background and gold 'khanda' pattern. There are four strings used to tie the patka around a child's head. One side does not have a seam and this is the side placed at the front of the head while the strings tie the cloth at the back and around the topknot.

Significance

These patkas are from the family of Manpreet Kaur Singh. Both her sons Avtej (Arvi) and Ronnie wear patkas to show their identity as Sikhs. For the boys, patkas not only show religious and ethnic identity but are also a fashion statement with varying colours and patterns bought on visits to their extended family in Punjab, India. These particular patkas are used to show support for their favourite Australian Football League club, the Richmond Tigers and their favourite cricket team, Australia. Arvi also plays cricket with Eildon Park Cricket club and wears a green and gold/ yellow patka during play.

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