My experience in recording and creating the Sikhi soundscape was very different to the Muslim one, and yet equally as informative and rewarding. Attending the Vaisakhi festival in spring last year, I was able to gather a rich palette of field recording - experiencing all the colour, sound and rhythm of the two-day celebration while at the same time learning about the core principles of the Sikh faith. The overall impression was one of joy and togetherness and this spilled over into the outside displays and procession and, I hope, into the soundscape representation. Further down the line, spending a day at the gurdwara allowed me to understand and record more detail - not just about Sikhi itself, but from the questions asked by the children and the in-depth responses we all received. The subsequent dinner at the Langar only added to the audible experience and gave me more great sonic texture to work with. Finally, a visit to Rawlings Academy allowed me to gather views and experiences from not only Sikh children, but children of different worldviews attending the same school, and how the teachings and inclusiveness of Sikhi were important to them too.

​

When it came to the composition and arrangement of the soundscape itself, I wanted to portray a journey which began in the simple teachings and kindness of the gurdwara and the people within it, through the school visits and the understanding of pupils from different worldviews, into a final section giving a full flavour of the joy and celebration of the Vaisakhi festival itself.

​

Anthony Davey - Sound Artist

​

Soundscape starts 30:46 to the end 

See the podcast link at the top of the page