Stained Glass Windows Designs
I had the honour of designing 3 Stained glass windows for the Gurdwara. The main design being the central ‘Kalgi’, with the two others being identical, flipped designs representing the ‘Khanda’. The project was rather interesting to me as it was the first time that I’d ever designed such a feature. I drew inspiration from various worldwide designs, basing the core of the design from architecture found in Sri Harmandir Sahib and various Gurdwaras and Asthaans around India.
The main Stained glass window, displaying the Kalgi of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The design brief was to encapsulate the Kalgi as the fundamental design feature, with creative freedom for me to design the surrounding elements.
View of the window from the outside of the Gurdwara.
The second design depicting a khanda. This one was briefed openly to my interpretation, and I designed the stained glass to reflect the Darbar Sahib with its golden colour scheme. The winding gold pattern has an ‘ik oankaar’ embedded creatively in the design. The focal point is the central khanda, reflecting the aforementioned ‘khanda darbar’. This design was manufactured twice, flipped to be placed on the left and right sides of the Gurdwara.
After the design was finalised, we visited Glass Express, Oldbury, to have the glass designs manufactured. We were sure to be as meticulous as possible with the colour choices to reflect the Gurdwara’s theme.
The manufacturers then printed the design at the same dimensions as the gl;ass, overlaying the glass on top and bending lead around the linework. To watch the highly talented manufacturers bring the design to life was really incredible!
With all of my works, there are many little details that may not be spotted on the first viewing! This is an example of one, with a traditional Pesh Kabz Shastar design being implemented into the edges of the design. Keep an eye out for more hidden details!
The design was very intricate and the manufacturers were sure to bring it to life as intended, and more! With a variety of textures and recommendations on slight variations of colours, it really made the Stained Glass pieces really stand out as truly special pieces.
Another view of the array of colours used. In my design, I implemented various historical elements from marble and decorative effects that can be found at Sri Harmandir Sahib.
Here’s a progress photo of the main Kalgi as it was being coloured. The design is synonymous with the various depictions of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Kalgi, of which the original artefact is kept and showcased often at Sri Hazur Sahib.
