Kirrt (ਕਿਰਤ) is a Punjabi word with roots in Sanskrit word Krit or Kriti (कृत). It means manufacturing, making and creation. In Punjabi, the word kirrt carries the same meaning, but with additional connotation of kirrt as labour, toil. In Guru Nanak’s teachings hathiN kirrt karna (to work with your own hands) is considered honourable, virtuous and essential for being a gurmukh. Further, kirrt karna te wandd chhakna (to work and share the produce) is one of the core principles of not only Sikh faith but multi-religious Punjabi community.

In January 2018, we had the honour to meet with Amarjit Chandan and listened him read his poems in public. Every time he read his poem ਪੋਥੀ (The Book), he lamented the absence of celebration of the kirti and his craft in Punjabi literature and arts. Taking a cue from his concern, the Kirrt project was started by Gurdeep Singh Dhaliwal (writer, photographer) along with Navjeet Kaur (designer). Jasdeep Singh (translator, editor) and Satdeep Gill (writer, photographer) joined the collective as contributors later on.The Kirrt logo is designed by award-winning filmmaker Gurvinder Singh. We document the stories of kirrtis — artisans and kirrts — their artworks. 

Team

Gurdeep Singh

Photographer & Writer

I’m an artist based in Chandigarh. During my years in the UK and travels in Europe, I visited numerous galleries and museums and felt how important they were to sustain the arts and culture in the region and to inspire the future generations. So, it’s an effort at collecting stories and works of people who still work with hand and to document the contemporary artists and creative practices in Punjab.

Jasdeep Singh

He is a translator, film writer, and technology worker based in Mohali, Punjab. He has written dialogues and scenarios for Panjabi cinema and theater. His writings and translations have appeared in the Scroll.in, Cafe Dissensus, India Today, and 91st Meridian. He was part of the editorial team that brought out Trolley Times, a newsletter from the farmers’ protest site. He curated Parchanve, a blog on translated Punjabi poetry. During the COVID years, he started an online reading group to study the poetry of the 16th-century poet Madho Laal Shah Hussain.