Jasleen Kaur

Research Associate

Jasleen Kaur is a Research Associate at the Sikh Research Institute. She has received a Religious Studies B.A./M.A. from the University of Virginia, focusing on South Asian Religions through the lens of literature and poetry.

She is one of the commentators and transcreators of The Guru Granth Sahib Project. She is passionate about projects that create comfortable spaces for community members of all ages and backgrounds to engage in dialogue and learn from one another. She also loves singing in her free time, whether on stage with her friends or alone in her kitchen.

She hopes to go back to school to pursue a Ph.D. in either religious ethnography or history and fulfill her dream of teaching and learning from others.

Jasleen Kaur resides with her family in the United States.

Videos

Thursday
,
17
October
2024

Explore Patti (Mahala 1)

Patti is a poetic form based on the Gurmukhi alphabet. Historically, students used a wooden tablet, known as patti in Panjabi, to practice writing the alphabet. The Guru Granth Sahib includes many compositions based on the alphabet.

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Thursday
,
22
August
2024

Explore Chaubole

Chaubole is typically described as a poetic form governed primarily by meter and lines, usually four, as a song with four segments, or as a verse containing four languages.The theme of the Chaubole composition by Guru Arjan Sahib is love.

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Saturday
,
13
July
2024

Exploring Death in Salok Mahala 9

Explore some of the major themes of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib’s bani as contained in Guru Granth Sahib.

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Thursday
,
20
June
2024

Explore Vanjara

This composition is revealed by Guru Ramdas Sahib (1534-1581 CE) in Rag Sirirag and is recorded on pages 81-82 of the Guru Granth Sahib. It has six stanzas of five lines each. With every stanza, there is an additional stanza of rahau of two lines.

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Thursday
,
25
April
2024

Explore Alahania (Mahala 3)

Just like the Alahania revealed by Guru Nanak Sahib, this composition revealed by Guru Amards Sahib also illustrates the impermanence of the material world and inspires the mind towards a perpetual connection with IkOankar (the Divine).

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Wednesday
,
10
April
2024

Countdown to Vaisakhi 2024: Jasleen Kaur

Jasleen Kaur serves as a Research Associate at SikhRI and one of the commentators and transcreators of The Guru Granth Sahib Project.

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Podcasts

Friday
,
20
June
2025

The Sidak Impact: Jasleen Kaur & Manmit Singh

2-time Sidaker Manmit Singh joins Jasleen Kaur to reflect on connection, community, and their deepening relationship with Asa ki Var, a guiding light through threads of hope and hopelessness.

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Wednesday
,
11
June
2025

Explore Rag Ramkali & Rag Maru

Rag Ramkali evokes compassion, and Rag Maru is associated with enthusiasm and zeal.

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Saturday
,
31
May
2025

The Question That Went Viral

Join Gurpartap Singh, Harinder Singh, and Jasleen Kaur as they discuss Gurpartap’s reflections on his interaction with Gandhi. How can we understand the context Gurpartap centered in his questions? How does Gurpartap feel about Gandhi’s response?

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Friday
,
30
May
2025

The Sidak Impact: Jasleen Kaur & Poznma Kaur

SikhRI researcher, Jasleen Kaur discusses the value of Sidak with alumni, Poznma Kaur.

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Thursday
,
29
May
2025

Explore Var Sat (Mahala 3) 2/2

In this composition, Guru Amardas Sahib highlights that IkOankar (the Divine) is the Creator of all existence. It portrays how individuals who cling to temporary possessions and relationships remain trapped in the cycle of birth and death.

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Wednesday
,
14
May
2025

Explore So Purakhu

So Purakhu is a collection of four Sabads, the source of Infinite-Wisdom, out of which Guru Ramdas Sahib has revealed two Sabads, and one each by Guru Nanak Sahib and Guru Arjan Sahib.

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Articles

Friday
,
31
July
2026

A Postcard from Miracle Valley: Reflections on Sidak 2026

Sikhi 201 Facilitator Jasleen Kaur reflects on the first week of Sidak through the lens of Guru Nanak Sahib’s ‘So Daru.’

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Thursday
,
25
June
2026

On the Kirpan: Panthic Accountability & Inner Grace

The murder of Henry Nowak by an Amritdhari Sikh in the UK has triggered global backlash against Sikhs and calls to ban the Kirpan. This article looks beyond the immediate controversy to ask what the Kirpan truly represents, examining Sikh theology...

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Tuesday
,
31
March
2026

On Separation, Patience, and Shedding Pretense

In this blog, Jasleen Kaur reflects on her Sikhi journey through the saloks of Sheikh Farid Ji. She explores themes of genuineness and pretense, patience and vastness, and the profound value of experiencing separation.

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Monday
,
17
March
2025

On Performing Piety

Jasleen Kaur reflects on Guru Nanak Sahib’s sabad, exploring the question of what is genuine within us, and what elements of ego we must navigate.

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Monday
,
11
December
2023

Sikhs, Panjab, India & the Diaspora: Locating the Current Crisis

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the current crisis involving Sikhs, Panjab, India, and the diaspora, with a focus on the historical context primarily from 1984 to 2023.

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Wednesday
,
21
August
2024

Caste & Race

This report aims to understand and explore caste and race within a Sikh worldview, the complexities of their intertwined developments, and the varied responses to practices and structures of casteism and racism from dominant and marginalized groups.

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

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