Inni Kaur

Creative Director

Inni Kaur is Creative Director at the Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI), where she leads content creation, branding, and external communications.

She has been deeply involved with SikhRI since 2009, having served as an Advisory Council Member, Board Member, Chair of the Board (2014–2016), Chief Executive Officer (2016–2019), and currently as Creative Director (2019–present).

A frequent speaker at community and interfaith gatherings—including engagements with the U.S. Office of the Pentagon Chaplain and several universities—Inni brings Sikh teachings into accessible dialogue with diverse audiences.

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, The Story of Us, The Fragrance of Bhai Vir Singh, Resilient Roots: A Sikh Family’s Journey, and The Brave Nightingale and The Golden Temple.

Inni is deeply immersed in the transcreation of Sabad (Infinite Wisdom) and the writings of Bhai Vir Singh, infusing her work with reverence, clarity, and poetic insight. Inni’s writing is grounded in Sikh thought and inspired by the beauty of everyday moments—cloud-watching, mindful walks, and quiet reflection. She resides in the United States.

Videos

Tuesday
,
23
September
2014

Journey with the Gurus — Volume 3

This Sakhi is an excerpt from "Journey with the Gurus" volume 3 by Inni Kaur.

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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

Friday
,
4
June
2021

Guru Teghbahadar Sahib Voices: O Mind! Transcend - Inni Kaur | The Sikh Cast | SikhRI

Journey with Inni Kaur as she shares her learnings from the three Sabads of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib in Rag Devgandhari through Bhai Vir Singh’s expositions. Transcendence lies not in the wishful disappearance of opposition from without but in the resolution within to disregard and rise above it. How do we rise from the fragmented universe of our fears? How do we rejuvenate from within to attain the fullest human stature? 

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Thursday
,
27
May
2021

Episode 7: Remembering Vahiguru’s Beautiful Creation

The next sakhi in our series takes us to the town of Puri, in India. The Mayor of the town invited Guru ji and Bhai Mardana to listen to Aarti , a special prayer performed by the priests. Guru ji happily accepted.

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Wednesday
,
19
May
2021

Ghazal Twelve, 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 امشب به تماشای رخ یار توان رفت سوی بتِ عاشق کشِ عیار توان رفت در کوچه عشق ارچه محال است رسیدن منصور صفت با قدم دار توان رفت ای دل به سوی مدرسه گر میل نداری! باری به سوی خانه خمار توان رفت چون خاطرم از عشق تو شد رشکِ گلستان بیهوده چرا جانب گلزار توان رفت ای دل چو شدی واقف اسرار الهی در سینه ام ای مخزنِ اسرار توان رفت صد روضه رضوان است چو در خانه شگفته گویا به چه سوی در و دیوار توان رفت English Translation Tonight one may proceed to gaze upon the Beloved’s face, Towards the one who is mysteriously merciless towards the lover. Although it is impossible to arrive at the lane of love, One may walk towards the gallows in the footsteps of Mansur. Oh heart, if you don’t desire to go to a seminary, You may proceed towards a wine-house once. As your love has made my imagination the envy of a blooming garden, Why may one proceed towards the garden then? Oh heart, since you are aware of divine secrets, I can proceed within myself, oh treasure of secrets. A hundred paradisiacal gardens have bloomed in the house. Goya: why should one proceed elsewhere?

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Thursday
,
29
April
2021

Episode 6: Keeping Our Thoughts Clean

This podcast brings us to Haridwar, a town that lies on the banks of the Ganges river. Guru ji challenges the thinking of the men whom he meets at the river.

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Wednesday
,
28
April
2021

Guru Teghbahadar Sahib Voices: O Mind! Transcend - Inni Kaur & Jasjit Singh | The Sikh Cast | SikhRI

Inni Kaur talks about how transcendence lies not in the wishful disappearance of opposition from without but in the resolution within to disregard and rise above it. How do we rise from the fragmented universe of our fears?

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Wednesday
,
14
April
2021

Vaisakhi & I

Inni Kaur descends into an exploration of what connects her most to Vaisakhi and its roots. Listen as she reflects back on her life.

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Articles

Wednesday
,
19
May
2021

Paigham-i-Goya: An Expression of Love

In his twelfth ghazal, Bhai Nand Lal ‘Goya’ emphasizes the journey toward the Divine, expressed through the recurring phrase “tavān raft” (“one may proceed”). This phrase invites possibility rather than prescription.

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Wednesday
,
14
April
2021

Vaisakhi & I

Explore the spiritual journey of Inni Kaur as she reflects on the profound significance of Vaisakhi, drawing parallels between the historical events of 1699 and her path of self-discovery.

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Monday
,
29
March
2021

Paigham-i-Goya: An Expression of Love

In his eighth ghazal, Goya refers to the Divine as haq (Truth-Divine), exploring its omnipresence and profound forgiveness. Shifting from direct address to descriptive reverence, Goya reflects on the futility of piety and hypocrisy in the face of...

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Monday
,
8
March
2021

Shadow

Embedded in my consciousness are scars that I have borne through the centuries. Deep as they were, deep as they are, Light penetrated, and the healing began.

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Friday
,
26
February
2021

Paigham-i-Goya: An Expression of Love

In his second ghazal, Bhai Nand Lal ‘Goya’ intimately explores his relationship with the Guru as his Beloved. He describes the Beloved’s angelic perfection, where even a single glance sustains him, and celestial and temporal realms pale in comparison...

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Friday
,
29
January
2021

Paigham-i-Goya: An Expression of Love

In his first ghazal, Bhai Nand Lal ‘Goya’ reflects on his relationship with the Guru as one of bandigī (reverence-bondage), a state of surrender and liberatory love. This paradoxical moment of bondage and freedom brings Goya into existence.

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

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