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

Monday
,
5
December
2022

The 150th Birth Anniversary of Bhai Vir Singh

To mark the 150th birth anniversary of Bhai Vir Singh, Harinder Singh shares 5 notions with 5 seeker personalities prevalent in today’s world culture.

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Friday
,
28
October
2022

What Candle to Light this Divali? | Omni Punjabi & Harinder Singh

Divali is celebrated every year with massive parties and social events globally. People of Hindu and Sikh communities celebrate this day according to their religious and cultural traditions.

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Monday
,
10
October
2022

How to Develop a Sikh Response?

How to curate a Sikh response? Why is a framework necessary? What is Gurmat? How do Bani, Tvarikh, and Rahit consitute Gurmat? Which sources can be classified as primary and secondary?

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Monday
,
15
August
2022

1947: South Asia, Panjab & Sikhs

After 75 years of the Partition, why are the significant sections of Panjabis and the Sikhs feeling estranged? What are the historical, cultural, geopolitical, trade, and economic contexts and realities?

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Thursday
,
4
August
2022

Harinder Singh & SanjhaTV: What is Sodhna?

Is “Sodhna” to test, examine, correct, punish, or kill?What is “sudhosu” in the Guru Granth Sahib?How did Guru Nanak Sahib live it?Why Sikh leadership must re-learn o

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Friday
,
20
May
2022

Our Relationship with The Guru Granth Sahib

Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur speak about a Sikh's relationship with The Guru Granth Sahib.

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Podcasts

Friday
,
9
October
2020

Sikhi & Sexuality

Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) has released its sixth report in the State of the Panth series titled Sikhi & Sexuality, exploring how Sikhi has influenced the collective behavior of the Sikhs when it comes to sex, pleasure, and procreation.

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Friday
,
2
October
2020

What's Happening: The Farmer Protests in Panjab

On September 20th, of this year, the Indian government passes a farming reform bill that makes sweeping changes in agricultural practices throughout the country. What has followed since then are mass protests by farmers alleging that the changes threaten their livelihood. Manpreet Singh and Harinder Singh come together to discuss what and why this is happening now, what is in the bill and what this could mean for the future of farmers in India.

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Friday
,
11
September
2020

Giani Dit Singh & Caste Dynamics: Surinder Singh Jodhka

Hear Harinder Singh and Surinder Singh Jodhka in a cross-continental conversation on historical and contemporary caste dynamics through the life and times of Giani Dit Singh. 

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Monday
,
9
October
2017

I am Nothing, I have Nothing, Nothing is Mine

The Sabad opens with a poignant tale of selflessness, where one assumes the role of a disguiser to protect the honor of the king's daughter. Despite harboring lustful and selfish desires, the individual's act preserves honor, highlighting the...

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Monday
,
6
November
2017

"First, Allah created Light. All beings are of Creation”

First, Allah1 created Light. All beings are of Creation.The entire universe was created from One Light—Who’s good, who’s bad? 1. O! People, O! Brother,doubt not, forget not.Creator, Creation,Creator within Creation,totally permeating all spaces. 1. Reflect Creator created many forms from one clay.Flawless is the clay pot, flawless is the Potter. 2. Within all is the same Eternal One.All things occur because of the One.Call that person the Banda,2who recognizes Hukam3 and knows the One. 3. Allah is imperceptible, cannot be perceived,Guru granted sweet jaggery-perception.Kabir says: My doubt destroyed,seeing Immaculate everywhere. 4. Bhagat Kabir ji in Rag Prabhati | Guru Granth Sahib 1349 1. The God in Arabic.2. Divines’ Own being.3. Literally, Order or Divine Will. Sikhi: To be in harmony with the Divine. ਪ੍ਰਭਾਤੀ ॥ ਅਵਲਿ ਅਲਹ ਨੂਰੁ ਉਪਾਇਆ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕੇ ਸਭ ਬੰਦੇ ॥ਏਕ ਨੂਰ ਤੇ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਉਪਜਿਆ ਕਉਨ ਭਲੇ ਕੋ ਮੰਦੇ ॥੧॥ਲੋਗਾ ਭਰਮਿ ਨ ਭੂਲਹੁ ਭਾਈ ॥ਖਾਲਿਕੁ ਖਲਕ ਖਲਕ ਮਹਿ ਖਾਲਿਕੁ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਸ੍ਰਬ ਠਾਂਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ਮਾਟੀ ਏਕ ਅਨੇਕ ਭਾਂਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਸਾਜੀ ਸਾਜਨਹਾਰੈ ॥ਨਾ ਕਛੁ ਪੋਚ ਮਾਟੀ ਕੇ ਭਾਂਡੇ ਨਾ ਕਛੁ ਪੋਚ ਕੁੰਭਾਰੈ ॥੨॥ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਸਚਾ ਏਕੋ ਸੋਈ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਕੀਆ ਸਭੁ ਕਛੁ ਹੋਈ ॥ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਨੈ ਸੁ ਏਕੋ ਜਾਨੈ ਬੰਦਾ ਕਹੀਐ ਸੋਈ ॥੩॥ਅਲਹੁ ਅਲਖੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ਲਖਿਆ ਗੁਰਿ ਗੁੜੁ ਦੀਨਾ ਮੀਠਾ ॥ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਮੇਰੀ ਸੰਕਾ ਨਾਸੀ ਸਰਬ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਡੀਠਾ ॥੪॥੩॥

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Tuesday
,
12
December
2017

Sikh Cast Ep63 - "Ignorance-era is the carafe”

Sabad is Infinite; we are very finite. This is our understanding at the moment, which was different yesterday and may evolve tomorrow, as we deepen our relationship with the Sabad.

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Articles

Monday
,
20
February
2017

Guru Hasn’t Held it Back From the Mind

Explore the Sabad (Shabad) of Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag (raag) Asa from the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs. Sabad is the bond between the Guru and the Sikh. Read the translation done by Harinder Singh and Inni Kaur.

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Monday
,
27
February
2017

The Forgotten Babbars

Babbar Akali (Babbars) movement (1921-1925) was a radical outgrowth of the Akali movement for the reform of Gurduaras. The latter practiced non-violence of the strong to free Gurduaras from state-sponsored “priests” suffering physical injury and violence at the hands of the “priests” and government authority.

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Tuesday
,
28
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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Tuesday
,
7
March
2017

Articulate the Way, and I Shall Follow

Composed by Guru Ramdas Sahib, this piece is set in Rag Devgandhari, an ancient melodic mode traditionally sung during the second quarter of the day. This Sabad encapsulates the yearning to connect with the radiant Beloved.

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Wednesday
,
8
March
2017

The Next Panjab Kaur

Do you recall Panjab Kaur?

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Monday
,
13
March
2017

Day and Night I Ask for Nam Within

This Sabad by Guru Ramdas Sahib within Rag Sorath encompasses a tapestry of emotions: seriousness, love, separation, longing, and detachment. Traditionally performed, it encapsulates a spectrum of human experiences.

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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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