Articles

Reflections, opinions and creative expression

Read in-depth interpretations, opinion pieces and creative writing delving into Sikh thought and world matters. Our articles feature writings from the SikhRI team and guest contributors.

Wednesday
,
6
November
2013

Liv - Virtual Crevices: Sikh Diaspora and Cyber-Commemoration

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In the almost 30 years since the violent anti-Sikh attacks of 1984, dominant memories of the events have been colored by the Indian state, Indian mass media, and counter-state voices of militant Sikhs. But how can we examine narratives that fall outside these ways of remembrance?

In the almost 30 years since the violent anti-Sikh attacks of 1984, dominant memories of the events have been colored by the Indian state, Indian mass media, and counter-state voices of militant Sikhs. But how can we examine narratives that fall outside these ways of remembrance?

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Sunday
,
3
November
2013

The Sikh ‘Game of Thrones’

The true rulers are connected with the Truth. The earth-owners are not rulers for they suffer in other love. Is it worth praising, perishable, momentous reality? Perfection-oriented realizes and becomes the One who is eternal.” – The Fifth Sovereign, Guru Granth Sahib, p. 1088 The Akal Takhat Sahib is the Sikh world’s oldest political throne. Instituted by the Sixth Sovereign and carved by his two entrusted emissaries, “Timeless Throne” emerged as a parallel to the Delhi and Lahore Darbars. It was an implementation of Guru Nanak Sahib’s (the first Sovereign) vision to champion people’s rights over imperial rights with the sword-wisdom. It is also, by many measures, its most successful universally recognized authority.

The true rulers are connected with the Truth. The earth-owners are not rulers for they suffer in other love. Is it worth praising, perishable, momentous reality? Perfection-oriented realizes and becomes the One who is eternal.” – The Fifth Sovereign, Guru Granth Sahib, p. 1088 The Akal Takhat Sahib is the Sikh world’s oldest political throne. Instituted by the Sixth Sovereign and carved by his two entrusted emissaries, “Timeless Throne” emerged as a parallel to the Delhi and Lahore Darbars. It was an implementation of Guru Nanak Sahib’s (the first Sovereign) vision to champion people’s rights over imperial rights with the sword-wisdom. It is also, by many measures, its most successful universally recognized authority.

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Tuesday
,
15
October
2013

FOES & FRIENDS: Betwixt & Between

Over the years I have had the good fortune to work with many Sikh institutions in the United States; not too intimately, but closely enough to see their blemishes, wrinkles and warts. I have seen them through their good days and bad. And I include here a fair sampling of gurduaras as well as non-gurduara bodies such as SALDEF (nee SMART), Sikh Coalition, United Sikhs, SikhRI, MBSK Foundation, and a couple of Sikh Art & Film groups.

Over the years I have had the good fortune to work with many Sikh institutions in the United States; not too intimately, but closely enough to see their blemishes, wrinkles and warts. I have seen them through their good days and bad. And I include here a fair sampling of gurduaras as well as non-gurduara bodies such as SALDEF (nee SMART), Sikh Coalition, United Sikhs, SikhRI, MBSK Foundation, and a couple of Sikh Art & Film groups.

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Friday
,
9
August
2013

Switching on the Lights

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I was 17 when Prof Devidas Chatterjee opened up the world of poetry for me.Until then, I had studied English poetry for years, but it had yet to pierce my soul. It was still a chore, still no more than words laid out in a variety of clever configurations, always ending in what appeared to be a contrived rhyme.

I was 17 when Prof Devidas Chatterjee opened up the world of poetry for me.Until then, I had studied English poetry for years, but it had yet to pierce my soul. It was still a chore, still no more than words laid out in a variety of clever configurations, always ending in what appeared to be a contrived rhyme.

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Thursday
,
4
July
2013

Re-born in the U.S.A.

It was July 4, 1986. PanAm’s Boeing 747 landed in New York City, connecting me to a flight the same evening to a very rainy Des Moines, Iowa. Thus, my American journey started with a glimpse of Lady Liberty and took me to the warm heartland, where I discovered both freedom and Sikhi. They remain synonymous for me to this day.

It was July 4, 1986. PanAm’s Boeing 747 landed in New York City, connecting me to a flight the same evening to a very rainy Des Moines, Iowa. Thus, my American journey started with a glimpse of Lady Liberty and took me to the warm heartland, where I discovered both freedom and Sikhi. They remain synonymous for me to this day.

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Wednesday
,
10
April
2013

Sadda Haq

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Punjabi movies are dime a dozen; they often come and go unnoticed, and we can count on the fingers of one hand with room to spare those we have seen – and even less those we have admired.

Punjabi movies are dime a dozen; they often come and go unnoticed, and we can count on the fingers of one hand with room to spare those we have seen – and even less those we have admired.

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Saturday
,
23
March
2013

Uniting Story - Lovers with Language and Beauty of Panjab

Fascinating Folktales of Punjab

Fascinating Folktales of Punjab

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Friday
,
22
February
2013

Sidak 2013: Why I'll be There

Like many young Sikh-Canadians and Sikh-Americans, I've done the full circuit.I started as a kid at the Punjabi Sunday School, moved on to the day camps run by the gurdwaras during school holidays.

Like many young Sikh-Canadians and Sikh-Americans, I've done the full circuit.I started as a kid at the Punjabi Sunday School, moved on to the day camps run by the gurdwaras during school holidays.

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Wednesday
,
12
December
2012

Did I Light Up?

Reflections

Reflections

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