Welcome to Through the Sikh Lens: A Story of Tradition and Faith! This visually immersive storytelling project delves into the Sikh heritage, highlighting the importance of traditional attire, faith, and the Five Ks that define Sikh identity. Through this immersive journey, you'll explore the rich cultural tapestry of Sikhism, told through the lens of AI-generated visuals and scrollytelling techniques.
As you scroll, you'll uncover the deep spiritual significance behind each aspect of the Sikh tradition—especially the sacred dastār (turban) and the Five Ks—while experiencing a visually captivating adventure. This project is more than a story; it's a celebration of faith, values, and identity.
The vision behind this project was to create a visually compelling narrative that introduces people to Sikh culture and traditions. Using scrollytelling techniques, I wanted to immerse readers in an experience where they not only read but also visually connect with the story. From exploring the intricate design of the dastār to understanding the significance of the Five Ks, every scroll down the page reveals something new, engaging, and insightful.
The AI-generated images of Sikh attire add a modern, artistic dimension to this traditional story, while the careful integration of Quarto and the Closeread extension ensures that the narrative feels dynamic and immersive.
This project began as an idea to merge technology with culture. My goal was to explore how scrollytelling could bring traditional Sikh stories and values to a digital audience in a visually appealing way. The project came together with the help of Quarto, the Closeread extension, and AI-generated images that illustrate the Sikh attire and its rich symbolism.
The process was an adventure in itself—blending cultural research, technical coding, and creative design. As I worked through this project, I continuously refined the balance between the interactive narrative and rich visuals, resulting in a cohesive and engaging experience for readers.
To explore Through the Sikh Lens, simply open the HTML version of the Quarto document in your browser, where you'll be taken on an adventure that reveals the spiritual and cultural significance behind Sikh attire and values.
The journey will walk you through the Five Ks, each representing a unique and important facet of Sikh life. Through the combination of narrative and visual storytelling, you'll uncover the Kesh, Kara, Kanga, Kachera, and Kirpan and their deep connections to Sikh faith, honor, and equality.
Before you start, you'll need to have Quarto installed on your computer. You'll also need the Closeread extension to bring the interactive narrative to life.
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Install Quarto:
- Visit the Quarto Website and download the installer for your operating system.
- Follow the installation instructions to install Quarto.
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Install Closeread Extension:
- The Closeread extension can be installed via the terminal using the following command:
quarto add qmd-lab/closeread
- The Closeread extension can be installed via the terminal using the following command:
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Install Required Libraries (if any):
- Ensure all necessary libraries are installed, particularly for any dependencies related to images or scrollytelling elements. You may need to check the repository for any specific library requirements.
Once you’ve completed the setup, follow these steps to run and preview the interactive story:
- Open the Quarto file (closereadstory.qmd) in VSCode or any preferred text editor that supports Quarto.
- Click on the "Preview" button in VSCode or use the following command to render the document:
quarto render closereadstory.qmd
This will generate a live preview of the story, allowing you to interact with it locally in your browser.
The project adopts a vibrant color scheme that reflects the Sikh heritage:
- Blue: Represents the spiritual and regal essence of Sikhism.
- Orange: Symbolizes courage, selflessness, and vitality, key qualities of the Sikh community.
- Cream and Yellow: Used for backgrounds and highlight elements, bringing a sense of warmth and welcoming. The design incorporates traditional elements of Sikh attire, particularly the dastār (turban), while modernizing them through AI-generated illustrations to create a blend of tradition and innovation.
I’m thrilled to share Through the Sikh Lens: A Story of Tradition and Faith with you. This project was not just a technical challenge, but a deep dive into the Sikh community's values and spirituality. It’s been an incredible journey of learning and growth, and I hope it brings you closer to understanding the beauty of Sikh tradition.
Feel free to explore, share, and ask any questions along the way. This project is a labor of love, and I am excited to have it live for everyone to see.
- Quarto Pub: Link to Quarto Pub
- GitHub Repository: Link to GitHub Repo
- Closeread: Link to the website