Meet Amrit Singh Sandhu

Open Dialogue

Jun 10

Growing up South Asian in an overwhelmingly western world can make it difficult to recognise the sheer beauty and privilege in being South Asian. The term ‘South Asian’ itself houses so many rich and historic cultures, each fit with their own traditions, many of which have been commercialised today – the irony.

Words Aniqah Mitha
Photographed by Keerthana Kunnath
Styling Holly Louise Chapman.
Model Amrit Singh Sandhu
M.U.A Kate O'Reilly
Hair Charles Stanley

As children of diaspora learn, maintaining cultural traditions can come with its challenges, but as we evolve, the question, “who am I?” lingers, and morphs its way into a search for identity.

South Asian photographer, Keerthana Kunnath, explores the nuances of identity in her latest series, ‘Not Feeling Home’. This collection features Sikh model, Amrit Singh Sandhu, who relocated to London from her home in India, and on her way, found a new appreciation for her roots and culture.

Amrit says “my heritage was always very important to me. It played a big role in finding myself. I’d ask, “who am I?”

When living in India, Amrit was “always attracted to aspects of other cultures and lifestyles more than [her] own, from watching TV or hearing about it from friends.” It was actually Amrit’s decision to move away from home that truly connected her to her culture, in ways it hadn’t before.

All of a sudden, Amrit was the outsider looking in at her own culture, curious to learn more about her heritage

“I think sharing my story about where I come from to the world outside of my community helps me enhance my culture and stay connected to my roots. Because to tell it, I’m always searching for more to learn. And of course, there’s no better way of doing that than your elders’ stories about how they lived their lives”.

This beautiful journey of self-discovery, growth and appreciation for the generations past builds a deeper connection to your roots, as you “appreciate and understand it better”.

Amrit, whose long, uncut hair is one of her most distinguishing features remembers “growing up, my parents, especially my dad was really strict about not cutting our hair. And I secretly dreamt of a Sabrina the teenage witch haircut—really short! But now I’m older, I appreciate the values and reasons behind it, and it’s become my choice to keep my hair in its natural form. Apart from religion, it’s a major part of my identity. I’d be a different person if I didn’t have long hair. I sometimes get nightmares about haircuts that someone cut my hair in my sleep, that’s when you know you don’t want it!

When asked about any traditional hair care routines, Amrit said “my dad is the reason my hair grew this long when I was little. He would regularly oil my hair using neem oil, and over the years my mum brushed and braided it every day for school.

I try to keep the same routine for hair care that I was taught, like using less heat and only natural products. Hair masks with yogurt or egg are also helpful for a smooth silky texture and nourishing your hair. Traditional home-made recipes for hair and skin passed on for generations are the best!”