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

Friday
,
4
April
2025

Countdown to Vaisakhi 2025: Inni Kaur

Inni Kaur, Creative Director at Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI), shares her thoughts on what she has been contemplating on this Vaisakhi.

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Sunday
,
30
June
2024

None Compares to You!

In this video Inni Kaur shares her profoundly personal and spiritual journey to Sri Harimandar Sahib.

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Thursday
,
4
April
2024

Countdown to Vaisakhi 2024: Inni Kaur

Inni Kaur, Creative Director at Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI), shares her thoughts on what she has been contemplating on this Vaisakhi.

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Thursday
,
18
January
2024

Explore Anand Sahib (Stanzas 31-40)

This composition explores the idea of bliss and how to achieve it. In the Sikh tradition, Anand Sahib is of such great significance that the entire composition or a portion (first five pauris and last pauri) is recited or sung to conclude all...

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Thursday
,
21
December
2023

Explore Anand Sahib (Stanzas 21-30)

This composition explores the idea of bliss and how to achieve it. In the Sikh tradition, Anand Sahib is of such great significance that the entire composition or a portion (first five pauris and last pauri) is recited or sung to conclude...

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Thursday
,
23
November
2023

Explore Anand Sahib (Stanzas 11-20)

Stanzas eleven to twenty of Anand Sahib by Guru Amardas Sahib delve into the pursuit of bliss, a concept of great significance in the Sikh tradition. Discover the joy within and experience the resonance of Rag Ramkali. Embrace the journey towards bliss...

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Podcasts

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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Sunday
,
29
November
2020

The Lover & The Beloved

Separation is perhaps the most difficult human emotion that one experiences. Does separation turn into a “longing?” Does “longing” guide us to an awareness? An awareness that love is eternal, so there can never be a separation in love.

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Tuesday
,
5
September
2017

Body Limbs and Breath Feel Comfort

Through divine perception, the seeker beholds the All-Pervasive as the ultimate Sovereign, the Owner of all beings, and the Chief of creation.

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Monday
,
28
August
2017

My Mind Burns Deeply for All-Pervasive’s Experience

In the melodic strains of Rag Gond, Guru Ramdas Sahib's Sabad resonates with a triumphant yet humble spirit, reflecting a balanced perspective on spiritual attainment.

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Monday
,
21
August
2017

Remember All-Pervasive, All-Pervasive Nam with the Sage-Guru

The Sabad begins with a gentle reminder to remember the All-Pervasive and immerse oneself in the divine Nam alongside the Sage-Guru. This call to remembrance is portrayed as a source of continuous bliss, nurturing the seed of spirituality within...

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Articles

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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Thursday
,
28
January
2021

Paigham-i-Goya: An Expression of Love

The team utilizing multiple sources of knowledge and references explores the deeper meanings of selected ghazals of Bhai Nand Lal. The meanings they derive from the text transcend generations while holding tight to the underlying wisdom and eternal...

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

Sun
,
Jul 20

Sidak 2025

Khalsa Centre

Sidak is a transformative educational experience designed for young Sikh adults aged 18 to 39. It brings together seekers from all over the world to learn, grow, and lead with purpose.

Learn More ⟶