In Ohio, the Sikh community passes traditions to the next generation

Agam Singh Brar, 7, plays with Kermit the Frog alongside his cousins behind his grandfather at their home in Twinsburg, Ohio. Agam's father moved to the United States several years ago seeking better opportunities, raising his children in a space where two worlds meet: American life outside the home and Sikh values within it. Through play, imagination and family connections, these children navigate dual identities, embracing their heritage while engaging with the world around them, balancing tradition and modernity in a uniquely American Sikh experience. Akash Pamarthy/‎ hide caption

Since 2023, Akash Pamarthy has been documenting the lives of members of the Sikh religion around Ohio. The Sikh faith originated in the Punjab region of northwest India in the 15th century, but Sikh people have migrated and settled around the world. In Ohio, Pamarthy found a community that embraces its Sikh Indian roots and a new generation blending their faith with their American identity.

"Sikhism has always fascinated me," Pamarthy said. "The Sikh faith is deeply community-oriented, grounded in equality, resilience and service. Sikhs stand tall and support one another through every challenge."

NPR asked Pamarthy about his work to document the community. The interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Families gather at Ohio's first established gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship, in Richfield, Ohio, for Sunday service. Sitting side by side on the floor, they listen to hymns and readings from the Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal Sikh guru. The service emphasizes Sikh principles of equality, humility and community. Akash Pamarthy/‎ hide caption

Meals are served in the langar hall, a free community kitchen at the gurdwara. Open to all, regardless of caste, creed, color or religion, the langar embodies Sikh values of equality, service and community — a tradition established by Guru Nanak, the faith's founder. Akash Pamarthy/‎ hide caption

Sukhman Kaur helps Harsaajan Singh with his turban during a turban-tying class at the Gurudwara Dashmesh Darbar in Solon, Ohio. In Sikh culture, tying the turban is an important tradition that represents discipline, respect and a visible expression of faith. Many gurdwaras hold turban-tying workshops for children, helping them learn and take pride in their Sikh identity. These spaces play a vital role in passing down cultural values, especially as younger generations navigate and balance their lives between Sikh and Western identities. Akash Pamarthy/‎ hide caption

Once a community church, the building now serves as a gurdwara — one of the newest Sikh houses of worship in Ohio. The state's Sikh community, which established its first gurdwara in the 1980s, has grown steadily over the past four decades to nearly 10 gurdwaras across Ohio by 2025. Solon's gurdwara stands as a symbol of that growth and the community's continued efforts to preserve faith and culture while establishing deeper roots in American society. Akash Pamarthy/‎ hide caption