A Global Translation and Transcreation Initiative

Presenting the Guru Granth Sahib in contemporary English and Panjabi
Read the 31 Aug 2020 English or Panjabi Press Release
Read the 14 Mar 2020 English or Panjabi Press Release

World’s first collaborative transcreation and commentary to showcase unique perspectives

Freely open and available for the public to gain new accessibility to Guru Granth Sahib

Reinvigorating connection with cultural history and interpretation by initiating an ongoing project

The Guru Granth Sahib is not being consulted for its potential benefit to humanity, largely due to its inaccessibility.

Further, there are distortions and willful misrepresentations that alter and corrupt the Guru’s message over time.

Through The Guru Granth Sahib Project, people around the world can build a deeper connection that they couldn’t before.

Many Sikhs, particularly in the diaspora, do not engage with Panjabi content, and some may not even have access to the Guru Granth Sahib.

This project serves not only as a conduit for all individuals seeking to understand Gurbani, but it bridges the gap for experts working on translating the Guru Granth Sahib into various languages using English as an intermediary.

This research opens the door for subsequent transcreation of the translated content into languages like Mandarin, Farsi, or Spanish, originating from the English version.
ਪੀਊ ਦਾਦੇ ਕਾ ਖੋਲਿ ਡਿਠਾ ਖਜਾਨਾ ॥
ਤਾ ਮੇਰੈ ਮਨਿ ਭਇਆ ਨਿਧਾਨਾ ॥੧॥
When I opened to see the ancestral treasure,
then my mind was filled with enrichment.
Guru Granth Sahib 185

Our work is driven by an intersection of perspectives

Values
Wisdom
Diversity
Technology
OUR BELIEF

We believe we can strengthen our connection to Sabad

Through The Guru Granth Sahib Project, individuals from across the globe gain the opportunity to forge a more profound connection than was previously possible. This initiative is particularly significant considering the successive generations of Sikhs in the diaspora who are minimally exposed to Panjabi and Sikh content. The universal messages and timeless wisdom of Sabad are trapped behind people's disconnection with the script and lexicon of the time.
PROCESS

Our team is engaged in a research-driven translation process. By meticulously delving into the root and etymology of each word within every sentence, they construct meaning by considering the context surrounding those words.

Tradition —

Instead of working on the Guru Granth Sahib from cover to cover, the project follows the tradition of working by Bani.

Collaboration —

This unprecedented transcreation project requires new modes of collaboration through digital solutions.

Annotations —

Much of the work will be in making annotations on the Panjabi side, which will then fuel the transcreation in English.

By analyzing each word, we provide meanings and context in addition to definitions. Proceeding line by line and stanza by stanza, we ensure that each interpretation is enriched with the highest level of context for comprehensive understanding.

ਪੋਥੀ ਪਰਮੇਸਰ ਕਾ ਥਾਨੁ ॥
ਸਾਧਸੰਗਿ ਗਾਵਹਿ ਗੁਣ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ
ਪੂਰਨ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਗਿਆਨੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
The wisdom in the text is the abode of 1-Supreme-Being. Singing virtues of 1-Earth-Knower in company of spiritual beings, the wisdom about 1-Absolute is received. Pause-reflect.
Guru Granth Sahib 1226
TECHNOLOGY

Our work is focused on the IkOankar paradigm to create a rich understanding: provide a new way to explore and develop a relationship with the Sabad (Wisdom).

This initiative is designed for seekers and scholars alike. It requires exploring each word of the Guru Granth Sahib to form a complete and comprehensive dictionary (etymology, grammar, meaning).

Our live, searchable website in Panjabi (Gurmukhi script) and English displays what the user desires to see, from annotations to meanings at different levels to commentary.

By leveraging an interdisciplinary and collaborative research process our project discusses everything from word meanings to commentaries across multiple dimensions: language, aesthetics, musicology, history, culture, and philosophy.
Milestones

Our Progress to Date

Launch of Panjabi Commentaries

TGGSP adds Panjabi commentaries to the new Sabads (verses) and/or Bani (composition).

Completion of all Compositions of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib

TGGSP completes 59 sabads (verses) and 59 Saloks (couplets) of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib to commemorate the 400th Parkash Purab (Illumination Day) of the Ninth Sovereign.

Significant Terms Added

TGGSP adds a Significant Terms button on the website allowing users to get instant information on keywords in the Guru Granth Sahib.

Videos of Monthly Sabad Releases

TGGSP begins to add a reflection video done by a content team member on the new Sabad (verse) and/or Bani (composition) release to the monthly emails.

Email of Monthly Sabid Releases

TGGSP begins to release a monthly email with summaries every third Thursday announcing the release of new Sabads (verses) and/or Bani (composition).

Launch of app.gurugranthsahib.io

The project website is released online to the public, sharing the complete work on Asa ki Var totaling about 300,000 words.

The Guru Granth Sahib Project Launches

The project is shared with the public, providing them with universal access to the first iteration of the first two Pauris of Asa ki Var to seek feedback on content and experience.

Technical Team Recruited

SikhRI recruits a team of professionals tasked with the execution of data capture and data visualization.

Team Governance and Cadence Adopted

Governance structure is agreed upon by the team, and an effective cadence is formally established.

Test Pilot Begins

Work on the Asa ki Var begins.

Test Pilot Developed

The project vision and details are formalized. The Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and leads are then identified, and the project is sanctioned.

Project Concept Formalized

Over the span of several different meetings, key stakeholders come together to discuss the project vision, strategy, and timeline.

June 2022
April 2022
October 2021
September 2021
November 2020
September 2020
March 2020
July 2019
March 2019
November 2018
September 2018
June 2018

This project requires many diverse minds. Our team will grow as necessary to deliver the best possible outcomes.

Core Team
Amanpreet Singh
Panjab, India
English Translator
Researcher, Sikh Research Institute
MTech, MA in Religious Studies, Diploma in Urdu, PG Diploma in Translation
Bhagwant Singh
Panjab, India
Panjabi Grammarian
Reviewer, Assistant Engineer (Retired)
BS in Engineering
Harinder Singh
Florida, USA
Project Lead
Co-founder & Senior Fellow, Sikh Research Institute
BS in Aerospace Engineering, MS in Engineering Management, MPhil in Guru Granth Sahib
Harjinder Singh
Rajasthan, India
Etymologist
Research Associate, Gurbani Linguistics, Sikh Research Institute
MA in Panjabi, Diploma in Persian & Urdu
Inni Kaur
Connecticut, USA
English Editor
Creative Director, Sikh Research Institute
Poet, Author & Educator
Ishmeet Kaur
Gujarat, India
English Reviewer
Assistant Professor, School of Language, Literature & Cultural Studies, Central University of Gujarat
MA, MPhil, PhD in English
Jagtej Singh
Panjab, India
English Researcher
Researcher, Sikh Research Institute
MA In Sports Management
Jasleen Kaur
Virginia, USA
English Transcreator
Researcher, Sikh Research Institute
MA in Religious Studies & South Asian Religions
Jaspal Singh
Panjab, India
Panjabi Researcher
Researcher, Sikh Research Institute
MA, MPhil in Panjabi
Jaswant Singh
Haryana, India
Content Lead
Director of Gurbani Research, Sikh Research Institute
MA in Religious Studies, PhD in linguistics of Guru Nanak Bani
Jatinder Pal Singh
Panjab, India
Panjabi Researcher
Research Assistant, Sikh Research Institute
BS In Business Management, Diploma In Sikh Studies
Lakhwinder Singh
Panjab, India
History & Philosophy Researcher
Research Associate, Sikh Research Institute
MA in Religious Studies, MPhil & PhD in Sikh Studies, Diploma in Urdu & Sanskrit
Rajinder Singh
Panjab, India
Poetics Researcher
Professor & Head, Dept. of Hindi, Guru Hargobind Khalsa College
MA in Hindi, PhD in Hindi Literature
Ramandip Kaur
Panjab, India
English Translator
Researcher, Sikh Research Institute
MS In IT, MCA
Sohan Singh
Panjab, India
Panjabi Editor
Assistant Professor, Dept of Panjabi, Guru Hargobind Khalsa College
MA in Panjabi, PhD in Panjabi Dialects
Surender Pal Singh
British Columbia, Canada
English Reviewer
Researcher, Sikh Research Institute
MA in English & Religious Studies
Strategic Advisors
Harsohena Kaur
Harsohena Kaur
New Jersey, USA
Content
Pediatric Physician
Inder Mohan Singh
Inder Mohan Singh
California, USA
Gurmat
Founder, Chardi Kala Foundation
Mohanbir Singh
Mohanbir Singh
Illinios, USA
Marketing
Clinical Professor of Marketing Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
Satvinder Singh
Satvinder Singh
Pennsylvania, USA
Technology
President, Twenty-Second Century Technologies
Project Team
Albel Singh
West Midlands, England
Digital Calligrapher
Research Technician
MS in Conservation Biology & Genetics
Gagandeep Kaur
Haryana, India
English Researcher
Research Assistant, Sikh Research Institute
MCom
Gurbinder Singh
Panjab, India
English Translator
Research Assistant, Sikh Research Institute
BA Arts/Bachelor Of Law
Gurwinder Kaur
Panjab, India
Musicologist
Assistant Professor, Music Dept, Khalsa College for Women
MA, MPhil, PhD in Music
Harcharan Singh
Singapore
English Transcreator
English Language & Literature Teacher
BA English Literature/Philosophy
Harpreet Kaur
Victoria, Australia
English Commentary Writer
Masters In Teaching (Humanities/Psychology), Masters of Psychology
Inderpreet Singh
Panjab, India
Associate Panjabi Editor
Researcher, Sikh Research Institute
BA, MA, PhD In Panjabi
Jashanpreet Singh
Project Manager
Project Manager, Sikh Research Institute
B. Tech - Mechanical Engineering
Navtej Singh
Slough, UK
English Transcreator
Researcher, Sikh Research Institute
Corporate Treasurer and Accountant
Nirvair Singh
Panjab, India
Panjabi Reviewer
Research Associate, Sikh Research Institute
MA in Panjabi, Diploma in Journalism
Simar Kaur
Mumbai, India
Panjabi Typist
Panjabi Teacher
MA In Hindi Literature
Simerjit Kaur
Panjab, India
English Transcriptor
Researcher, Sikh Research Institute
MA in Panjabi, MPhil & PhD in Linguistics
Our PROMISE

We will expand the reach of the Sabad, making its wisdom universally accessible for everyone.

As fresh segments of the Guru Granth Sahib are presented via this endeavor, rendered in modern English and Punjabi accompanied by explanatory interpretations and contextual material, we persist in sharing them openly and freely online, aligning with the original intent of the Guru Granth Sahib.
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