Harinder Singh

Senior Fellow, Research & Policy

Harinder Singh is the Senior Fellow at the Sikh Research Institute. He holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Wichita State University, an MS in Engineering Management from the University of Kansas, and an MPhil from Punjab University in the linguistics of the Guru Granth Sahib. 

He co-founded the Sikh Research Institute and the Panjab Digital Library, envisioned the Kaur and Singh Academy, and organized the Free Akal Takht campaign.

He appears on radio and television programs and speaks at universities, parliaments, museums, conferences, and civic institutions. He has authored several books and numerous articles integrating the political and the spiritual. He consults on curriculums, exhibitions, and films and is featured in many documentaries on the Sikhs, the Panjab, and South Asian matters.

His current focus is on developing critical thinking for Sikh institutions via the State of the Panth report series and developing open-source decoding of Guru Granth Sahib in contemporary Panjabi and English for a global audience.

He has served on the National Conference on Community and Justice boards, The Fellowship of Activists to Embrace Humanity, The Nanakshahi Trust, among others. He looks for culturally-specific things to experience and a light roast pour-over coffee to sip during travels, reads and binge-watches to stay in touch with what the world is up to, and listens to sabads, poetry, Hir, jazz, and political rap.

Harinder Singh resides with his family in the United States.

Videos

Tuesday
,
12
September
2023

What is the significance of hair for Sikhs?

"Hair in Sikhi is part of the protocol, as well as part of the tradition...You emulate the modalities you believe in of the ones you love."

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Sunday
,
7
May
2023

Women & Gender in Sikhi | Webinar

Join us in conversation with Harinder Singh, Jasleen Kaur, and Manvinder Kaur as we try to understand Women & Gender in Sikhi from a Gurmat (Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle).

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Friday
,
14
April
2023

Countdown to Vaisakhi 2023: Harinder Singh

“Everything starts in the Sikh culture from Guru Nanak Sahib. And when Guru Nanak references the word Vai-sakhi, he actually brings it out of nature. Sak is a branch. If you look at humanity as being the tree symbolism..."

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Tuesday
,
11
April
2023

Sikhism, Khalistan & Guru Gobind Singh ji | The Ranveer Show 295

"In this episode, we cover topics like the Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Nanak Dev Ji's teachings, Guru Angad, the 10 Sikh Gurus, understanding the 5K's, and much more."

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Tuesday
,
4
April
2023

Sikhi, Guru Nanak & What It Means To Be Sikh | The Ranveer Show 293

"In this episode, we cover the history of Sikhism and its basic principles. They also discuss the importance of meditation and the need to understand the native terms of Sikhi like Sicky and Saki."

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Wednesday
,
29
March
2023

Understanding the Crackdown In Panjab & Protests in Diaspora

Join Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur as they discuss the larger Sikh context around the latest events in Panjab.

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Podcasts

Monday
,
27
February
2017

I Have No Worthy Flower for the Incomparable

In this Sabad attributed to Bhagat Ravidas, a profound contemplation unfolds. This composition finds its musical foundation in Rag Gujri, an ancient melodic mode reserved for the early hours of the day, evoking a sense of serene awakening.

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Sunday
,
29
January
2017

Slowly and Gently Rains the Immortal Stream

This composition by Guru Arjan Sahib is in Rag Majh. This rag (musical mode) evolved from the folk music of the Majha area of the Panjab. There is no reference to this rag in Indian music. It is only sung in Panjab and is in the Guru Granth Sahib.

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Monday
,
23
January
2017

My Mind Pines for Guru’s Vision

This composition by Guru Arjan Sahib is in Rag Majh. This rag (musical mode) evolved from the folk music of the Majha area of the Panjab. There is no reference to this rag in Indian music. It is only sung in Panjab and is in the Guru Granth Sahib.

watch now ⟶
Monday
,
16
January
2017

My Sovereign is Dyed in Color-Love

This composition by Guru Nanak Sahib is in Rag Siri, an ancient musical mode sung at dusk. Its mood is majestic, reflective, and meditative. The reflection: The Creator is in the creation. Everything is brimming with love, operating in love.

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Friday
,
12
February
2016

Sikh Cast Ep10 - Harinder Singh talks about Valentines Day, Love in Sikhi, Martyrdom

Harinder Singh talks about Valentine's Day, the concept of Love in Sikhi, Martyrdom, the Lovers of Punjab and more.

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Monday
,
16
January
2017

You & I, I & You; What’s the Difference?

This composition by Bhagat Ravidas is in Rag Siri, an ancient musical mode sung at dusk. Its mood is majestic, reflective, and meditative. 

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Articles

Thursday
,
14
April
2016

How Sikhs Can Free Akal Takht

Every Sikh has the right to raise questions about the process that led to the recent Sarbat Khalsa. It lacked transparency or an open discussion about the Jathedar qualifications. But this is simply the tip of the iceberg when it comes to problems that plague the Sikh governance.

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Tuesday
,
1
November
2016

My Vote for Next US President

On November 8, Americans will elect either the corruption-laden, policy-driven first female President or the sexual-assaulter, power-driven forty-fifth male President.

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Friday
,
11
November
2016

Sarbat Khalsa in Exile?

Panjab Kaur can’t decide what to consume to satisfy her sweet-tooth. Beaver Tails from Ottawa, where she was born, or Phirni (kind of rice pudding) from Panjab, her ancestral homeland? It’s a metaphor for this Sikh woman’s identity and also for a people who for more than 165 years have been stateless and scattered.

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Monday
,
16
January
2017

You & I, I & You; What’s the Difference?

This composition by Bhagat Ravidas is in Rag Siri, an ancient musical mode sung at dusk. Its mood is majestic, reflective, and meditative.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Monday
,
16
January
2017

My Sovereign is Dyed in Color-Love

This composition by Guru Nanak Sahib is in Rag Siri, an ancient musical mode sung at dusk. Its mood is majestic, reflective, and meditative. The reflection: The Creator is in the creation. Everything is brimming with love, operating in love.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Tuesday
,
17
January
2017

How May I Visualize Guru Gobind Singh Sahib?

In current times, the world is full of abundant images, pictures, portraits, artworks, and illustrations availing stocks and libraries as well as producing films and animations. What are the most appropriate images of the Guru Sahibs?

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

Sun
,
Jan 12

Guru Nanak's Medicine for Life

Deakin University, Building LC

Join Harinder Singh as he discusses Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Medicine For Life.

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