Inni Kaur

Creative Director

Inni Kaur is Creative Director at the Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI). She has served SikhRI in several capacities since 2010, including Chair of the Board, and most recently as CEO. 

She is a frequent speaker at community and interfaith events, the U.S. Office of the Pentagon Chaplin, and several universities. She is a passionate author, poet, and artist. Her published works include Journey with the Gurus, a children’s book series inspired by the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Sahib, Sakhi-Time with Nani ji, Thank-You Vahiguru, Daddy’s Turban, and The Story of Us.

She is passionately involved in transcreating Sabad (Infinite-Wisdom) and the writings of Bhai Vir Singh.

To Inni, every single day is a celebration. Her writing is inspired by that same outlook on life, as well as Sikh thought. While she writes anytime the spirit moves her, she thoroughly enjoys watching the clouds pass her, taking long mindful walks to appreciate nature’s innate beauty, and painting abstract artwork.

Inni Kaur resides with her family in the United States.

Videos

Sunday
,
6
December
2020

Bhai Vir Singh: His Fragrance Travels Through Centuries

Scholar Dr. Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh, author, poet, and artist, Inni Kaur, and educator, Surinder Singh discuss the poetry, Gurbani, and the inspiration of Bhai Vir Singh.

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Saturday
,
14
November
2020

Stories That Transform Children

Watch the entire conversation with social entrepreneur and children’s book author, Deanna Singh, writer, scholar, and activist, Simran Jeet Singh, and author, poet, and artist, Inni Kaur.

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Monday
,
15
June
2020

Babanian Kahanian Divas

This drop-in live webinar is made just for children! Join us as we welcome various guest presenters to engage with Sabad, sakhi, story-telling, poetry, puzzles, art, and much more.

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Sunday
,
10
May
2020

Blessed Mothers

Celebrate Mother’s Day while social distancing as we engage in conversation with Inni Kaur, Neelu Kaur, Mandeep Kaur, and Sharanjeet Kaur to discuss how Sikhi has informed their ideas of motherhood, their challenges, and their triumphs. 

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Tuesday
,
11
June
2019

Don't Ask – Inni Kaur #Remembering1984

Don't Ask. Poem by Inni KaurDon’t ask, my daughter what happened in 1984.These wounds are still raw don’t touch them.

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Sunday
,
15
July
2018

Journey with the Gurus — Volume 1

A story-time session with Inni Kaur. In this webinar, Inni Kaur reads “Nuri’s Awakening,” from Journey with the Gurus, Volume 3. All you need to enjoy this webinar is your imagination, a blanket, and a stuffed toy! “You are a spark of the Light of Ik Oankar. I want you to remember that the Light of Ik Oankar lives within you….” said Guruji Audience: Grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and children who love to hear stories! About the Presenter: Inni Kaur is a passionate author, poet, story-teller, and painter. She is the author of the children’s book series, Journey with the Gurus that is inspired by the life and teachings of Guru Nanak. Her other children’s books are Sakhi-Time with Nani Ji and Thank-You, Vahiguru. To Inni, every single day is a celebration. While she writes anytime the spirit moves her to, she also thoroughly enjoys watching the clouds pass her by, taking long mindful walks to appreciate nature’s innate beauty, and painting abstract artwork Learn more about Journey with the Gurus here: http://www.journeywiththegurus.com

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Podcasts

Monday
,
29
March
2021

Ghazal Eight, Divan-i-Goya | Bhai Nand Lal

Introducing Paigham-i-Goya: Expression of Love , new translations of a selection of ghazals from Bhai Nand Lal “Goya.” Today’s podcast begins with a recitation of Bhai Nand Lal’s ghazal in Persian, followed by a new English transcreation, the result of a unique collaboration between Dr. Fatima Fayyaz and Dr. Nadhra Khan of Lahore University of Management Sciences, Damanpreet Singh, writer, and graduate student, and Inni Kaur of SikhRI, followed by a discussion between Daman and Inni about the beauty of the ghazal and the transcreation process. Follow Damanpreet and Inni as they discuss their learnings and challenges while engaging with the words of Bhai Nand Lal. The unique and symbolic meanings that these ghazals reveal are a treat for those who yearn to get a glimpse into the court of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. Author: Bhai Nand Lal “Goya” Collection: Divan-i-Goya Transcreators: Fatima Fayyaz, Inni Kaur, Nadhra Khan, and Damanpreet Singh Persian Narrator: Gholamhossein Sajadi English Narrator: Ryan Gillis Persian بدر در پیشِ رخت شرمنده است بلکه خورشیدِ جهان هم بنده است چشمِ ما هرگز بغیر از حق ندید ای خوشا چشمی که حق بیننده است ما نمی لافیم از زهد و ریا گر گنه گاریم حق بخشنده است دیگری را از کجا آریم ما شور در عالم یکی افگنده است حرفِ غیر از حق نیاید هیچ گاه بر لبِ‌ گویا که حق بخشنده است English Translation Before Your face, the full moon is embarrassed. Rather, the sun of the universe too is a slave. Our eyes witness nothing but the Truth-Divine. Oh, fortunate is the eye that beholds the Divine. Neither do we flaunt piety nor do we indulge in hypocrisy. If we are sinners, the Divine is the forgiver. From where would we bring another? The world reverberates with echoes of Oneness. Nothing is ever uttered except Truth-Divine. By the lips of Goya, as the Divine is the forgiver.

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Friday
,
19
March
2021

Collecting HERstory: Narratives that Shape our Futures

Through this conversation, we imagine futures in which we move beyond the mere recognition of gendered differences and enact attention on reducing gender disparities while paying homage to the strides we have already made.

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Monday
,
8
March
2021

Shadow: Inni Kaur

Follow along as Inni Kaur delves deep into the human experience, from the dark scores of negativity to the peaks of light.

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Friday
,
26
February
2021

Ghazal Two, Divan-i-Goya | Bhai Nand Lal

Introducing Paigam-i-Goya: Expression of Love , new translations of a selection of ghazals from Bhai Nand Lal “Goya.” Today’s podcast begins with a recitation of Bhai Nand Lal’s ghazal in Persian, followed by a new English transcreation, the result of a unique collaboration between Dr. Fatima Fayyaz and Dr. Nadhra Khan of Lahore University of Management Sciences, Damanpreet Singh, writer, and graduate student, and Inni Kaur of SikhRI, followed by a discussion between Daman and Inni about the beauty of the ghazal and the transcreation process. Follow Damanpreet and Inni as they discuss their learnings and challenges while engaging with the words of Bhai Nand Lal. The unique and symbolic meanings that these ghazals reveal are a treat for those who yearn to get a glimpse into the court of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. Author: Bhai Nand Lal “Goya” Collection: Divan-i-Goya Transcreators: Fatima Fayyaz, Inni Kaur, Nadhra Khan, and Damanpreet Singh Persian Narrator: Gholamhossein Sajadi English Narrator: Ryan Gillis Persian دین و دنیا در کمندِ‌ آن پری رخسارِ ما هر دو عالم قیمتِ یک تارِ موی یارِ‌ ما ما نمی آریم تاب غمزهٔ مژگانِ‌ او یک نگاهِ جان فزایش بس بود در کارِ ما گاه صوفی گاه زاهد گه قلندر می شود رنگ های مختلف دارد بت عیارِ ما قدرِ لعل او بجز عاشق نداند هیچ کس قیمتِ یاقوت داند چشمِ گوهربارِ ما هر نفس گویا به یادِ نرگسِ‌ مخمورِ او باده های شوق می نوشد دلِ هشیارِ ما English Translation My angel-faced Beloved holds the reins of the temporal and celestial worlds. These two worlds are worth just a single strand of my Beloved’s hair. We cannot bear the allure of that gaze. One rejuvenating glance would be enough for our lifetime. Sometimes a sūfī¹, sometimes a zāhid², at others a qalandar³; Our unfathomable Beloved has many tints and shades. Who, except the lover, would know the worth of [Beloved’s] red gems? But our eyes that shed pearls are aware of the value of rubies. In the memory of [Beloved’s] intoxicating eyes, Goya, with every breath; Our wakeful hearts sip on the nectar of longing.

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Friday
,
29
January
2021

Ghazal One, Divan-i-Goya | Bhai Nand Lal

Introducing Paigam-i-Goya: Expression of Love , new translations of a selection of ghazals from Bhai Nand Lal “Goya.” Today’s podcast begins with a recitation of Bhai Nand Lal’s ghazal in Persian, followed by a new English transcreation, the result of a unique collaboration between Dr. Fatima Fayyaz and Dr. Nadhra Khan of Lahore University of Management Sciences, Damanpreet Singh, writer, and graduate student, and Inni Kaur of SikhRI, followed by a discussion between Daman and Inni about the beauty of the ghazal and the transcreation process. Follow Damanpreet and Inni as they discuss their learnings and challenges while engaging with the words of Bhai Nand Lal. The unique and symbolic meanings that these ghazals reveal are a treat for those who yearn to get a glimpse into the court of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. Author: Bhai Nand Lal “Goya” Collection: Divan-i-Goya Transcreators: Fatima Fayyaz, Inni Kaur, Nadhra Khan, and Damanpreet Singh Persian Narrator: Gholamhossein Sajadi English Narrator: Ryan Gillis Persian هوای بندگی آورد در وجود مرا وگرنه زوقِ چنین آمدن نبود مرا خوش است عمر که در یاد بگذرد ورنه چه حاصل است ازین گنبدِ کبود مرا در آن زمان که نیایی بیاد می میرم بغیر یادِ تو زیستن چه سود مرا فداست جان و دلِ من بخاک مردمِ پاک هر آن کس که بسوی تو ره نمود مرا نبود هیچ نشانها ز آسمان و زمین که شوقِ روی تو آورد در سجود مرا بغیر یادِ تو گویا نمی توانم زیست به سوی دوست رھایی دهند زود مرا English Translation I am brought into existence by the embrace of the winds of reverence-bondage. I would not have desired to come into this world, otherwise. Joyous is the life spent in Your remembrance, and if not: What else do I gain from this blue vault? I die when I do not remember You. Besides Your remembrance, what do I gain from living? I surrender my heart-mind to the dust of those pious beings Who guide me towards You. When there was no sign of the sky or earth, It was desire for Your face that brought me into prostration. Goya: I cannot live without remembering You. May I be freed quickly to meet the Beloved.

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Friday
,
11
December
2020

Stories That Transform Children

Listen to this webinar with social entrepreneur and children’s book author, Deanna Singh, writer, scholar, and activist, Simran Jeet Singh, and author, poet, and artist, Inni Kaur.

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Articles

Friday
,
22
November
2024

Mata Gujri: The Eternal Matriarch of Sikh Valor and Grace

This essay encapsulates the extraordinary journey of Mata Gujri ji, a beacon of courage, faith, and sacrifice. As the wife of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib and the grandmother of the Sahibzadeys, her steadfast devotion illuminated Sikh history.

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Tuesday
,
5
November
2024

Echoes of 1984

This interview delves into the profound reflections of author Ajeet Cour, a witness to both the 1947 Partition and the 1984 Ghallughara, and her daughter, artist Arpana Caur.

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Thursday
,
31
October
2024

In Memory & Resolve

“In Memory & Resolve” reflects on the layered significance of October 31st for Sikhs, honoring both Bandi Chor Divas—a celebration of liberation—and the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Sikh Genocide.

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Tuesday
,
29
October
2024

Guru Amardas Sahib: The Essence of Giving

This essay reflects on the sacred nature of giving, inspired by Guru Amardas Sahib's and Baba Mohri ji's narrative. It explores the importance of honoring the trust placed in us when we receive resources meant for the greater good.

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Tuesday
,
15
October
2024

Banda Singh Bahadar

Embark on the profound journey of Baba Banda Singh Bahadar, the guardian of Panjab's heritage.

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Monday
,
16
September
2024

From Humility to Divinity

In this reflective essay marking the 450th Coronation Anniversary of Guru Ramdas Sahib, we journey through the profound life of the Guru—from his humble beginnings in Chuna Mandi to his transformative role in Sikh history.

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

Inni Kaur
 is not presenting at any upcoming events as of yet. Explore our upcoming events.