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

Monday
,
13
January
2014

Journey with the Gurus — Volume 2

In "Journey with the Gurus" volume 2, the story of "Sajjan Transformed" is a re-telling of the encounter between Sajjan the thug and Guru Nanak. The presentation relies on easy to understand "child-friendly" English and a rich contemporary imagery to convey the message of change and service that lies at the heart of this Sakhee.

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Sunday
,
17
February
2013

Liv - All Rivers Are Sacred

Inni Kaur shares a saakhi from Journey With the Gurus Volume II. In "All Rivers are Sacred" we hear of Guruji's journey to Hardwar and his thoughtful conversations with the Pandits about their water rituals at the Ganga River.

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Friday
,
21
September
2012

Liv - Ik Chota First Sikh Books: Producing Quality Sikh Educational Resources for Children

Panelists: Inni Kaur, Jagdeep Singh, Navjot Kaur & Parveen Kaur Dhillon Moderator: Jasmine Kaur In light of the recent resources that have been developed for Sikh children and the growing strength of the movement to express the need for them in the community, SikhRI will host a panel discussion webinar with a handful of those whose creations for Sikh children have been widely influential in recent years. Developing these resources for the diasporic community comes with its own challenges and successes, and this forum will allow the authors and developers to share their own thought processes and the source of their creative passion. Ideas will also be presented for using these resources in the classroom and at home. During the Q&A, there will be time for the attendees to engage in dialogue about what other resources they see a need for.

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Saturday
,
23
July
2011

Liv - The Janeu Story by Inni Kaur

Join us as Inni Kaur takes us through Chapter 2 - The Janeu Story from Journey with the Gurus, a children's book about Guru Nanak Sahib. Bring your imagination, a blanket and a stuffed toy!

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Saturday
,
20
November
2010

Liv - Bebe Nanaki's Brother

Liv webinar especially for young children.

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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

Monday
,
30
November
2020

The Lover & The Beloved

Through the pen of Bhai Vir Singh, we get a glimpse into a profound relationship. The tug of separation. The mystery of longing. The faith in relationships. The yearning for union.

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Wednesday
,
1
January
2020

Sovereign of Light

O! Moon, you have not risen today. O! Moon, but know that beauty is not dependent on you only!

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Tuesday
,
30
May
2017

Ravi Speaks

In this poetic ode, the author surrenders to twilight's allure, depicting a heartfelt exchange with Ravi, the personified river. Through tears and reverence, they express gratitude to the Divine.

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Monday
,
29
May
2017

Sikhi and Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day, the focus shifts to the Pogroms of 1984, questioning how to remember and honor the victims correctly. The construction of the Wall of Truth at Delhi's Rakabganj Gurduara is a step in the right direction.

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Thursday
,
16
November
2017

1984 is in my DNA

Thirty-three years ago the world’s fourth largest army marched into Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, India.

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Wednesday
,
29
July
2020

The Redemption: Jamuna's Journey, Pt.1

In 1920 the United States granted women the right to vote. In 1921, Bhai Vir Singh published a book titled, The Redemption of Subhagji through the grace of Baba Naudh Singh.

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

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