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
,
8
January
2024

Is the Sikh religion called Sikhi or Sikhism? Does it matter?

"I think it matters because what is our indigenous term? And what is the term which those who were studying us in the last hundred years started calling us? Our native term is Sikhi..."

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Friday
,
5
January
2024

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Introduction

This video serves as an introduction to the series, offering a conversation between Harinder Singh, the Innovation Director, and Jasleen Kaur, a Research Associate.

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Tuesday
,
26
December
2023

What does “Sikh” mean?

When we look at the two meanings as they existed at the time (in Sanskrit and in Pali) and incorporate them into what we now call Sikhi, it actually means learners who are of the Guru. Guru is a mentor, Guru in Sikhi is Perfection.

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Tuesday
,
12
December
2023

Sikhi: Personal Practice & Public Responsibility

Join us for an inspiring talk on the profound connection between personal Sikhi practice and our collective responsibilities in today's world.

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Monday
,
4
December
2023

Why do Sikhs have unique customs and traditions?

As community development commenced with Guru Nanak, protocols were introduced to establish an organization, emphasizing the necessity for governance and unity within any community.

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Monday
,
27
November
2023

Mul Mantar

Embark on a transformative journey with Harinder Singh as he unravels the profound wisdom of Guru Nanak Sahib, exploring the Mul Mantar—the Innovation. Discover the attributes of IkOankar, the 1, and the concrete path to lasting security.

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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.

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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

Monday
,
16
October
2017

Fortunate are Dyed in Red-Love-Color

In the joyous Rag Bilaval, Guru Arjan Sahib's Sabad resonates with themes of divine love, immortality, and spiritual fulfillment. Bilaval, a rag known for evoking feelings of happiness, accomplishment, and determination, is a fitting backdrop...

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Monday
,
30
October
2017

ਬੇਗਮ ਪੁਰਾ ਸਹਰ ਕੋ ਨਾਉ ॥ "Be-gam-pura" – City’s name is "Sorrow-less-ville"

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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Monday
,
30
October
2017

Gurmukhi: Guru Nanak Sahib’s Alphabets

Gurmukhi – what is it? Its two most popular etymological explanations are from “the mouth of the Guru” or “the utterance of the Guru."

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Monday
,
20
November
2017

ਐਸਾ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਬੀਚਾਰੇ ਕੋਈ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਤੇ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਪਰਮ ਗਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ Freedom and Final State of Existence is Through the One

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. In this trans-creation, we have chosen to keep the repeating words in the Sabad same. We aspire to learn and retain the Divine attribute as used in the original Sabad and avoid terms like God or Lord.

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Tuesday
,
28
November
2017

Can the next SGPC President be of the Panth?

The General House of Shiromani Gurduara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is meeting on 29 Nov. 2017 to elect its next President, Senior Vice President, Junior Vice President, General Secretary and 11 other executive members.

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Monday
,
4
December
2017

ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਜੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਅਖਾਏ ਸੁ ਭਲਕੇ ਉਠਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥ One Who Calls Oneself a Sikh of the Guru, Rises at Dawn, Contemplates on All-Pervasive Nam

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. In this trans-creation, we have chosen to keep the repeating words in the Sabad same. We aspire to learn and retain the Divine attribute as used in the original Sabad and avoid terms like God or Lord.

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Read more ⟶

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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