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 have sought to 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 in the diaspora do not consume Panjabi content, let alone the Guru Granth Sahib. The beauty of this project is that it can act as a bridge for experts to translate the Guru Granth Sahib to other languages through English. It can then even be transcreated into Mandarin Chinese or Spanish from English.

Start Exploring Now ⟶

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

With the help of The Guru Granth Sahib Project in English, people from all around the world can build that deeper connection that they couldn’t before. Beyond that, there are increasing generations of Sikhs in the diaspora who do not consume Panjabi content, let alone the Guru Granth Sahib. The universal messages and timeless wisdom of Sabad are trapped behind a disconnection with the script and lexicon of the time.

PROCESS

Our team is translating based on research. They’re looking at the root and etymology of every word of every sentence and from there on, they are building meaning from context.

Tradition —

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

Collaboration —

This is an unprecedented transcreation project, requiring 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 trans-creation in English.

We will take each word, provide meaning and context in addition to definitions. We will go line by line, stanza by stanza, ensuring that every interpretation has the utmost context for understanding.

Meet the Team ⟶

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 relationship with the Sabad (Wisdom).

This initiative is designed for seekers, scholars, and techies. It requires importing each word of the Guru Granth Sahib to form a complete and comprehensive dictionary (etymology, grammar, meaning).
‍
A live, searchable website in Panjabi (Gurmukhi script) and English displays what the user desires to see, from annotations to meanings at different levels.

By leveraging best-of-breed 3rd party technologies and intelligent integrations, we enable research, meaning, and commentaries curation across multiple dimensions: language, aesthetics, musicology, history, culture, and philosophy.

Start exploring now ⟶

Milestones

Our Progress to Date

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 by now. 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.

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

New Jersey, USA

Content

Pediatric Physician

Inder Mohan Singh

California, USA

Gurmat

Founder, Chardi Kala Foundation

Mohanbir Singh

Illinios, USA

Marketing

Clinical Professor of Marketing Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

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.

This is just the beginning. As new sections of the Guru Granth Sahib become available through this project, in contemporary English and Panjabi with supporting interpretations and contextual content, we will continue to make them available online — freely and openly for everyone, as was intended.

A Global Translation and Transcreation Initiative

Presenting the Guru Granth Sahib in contemporary English and PanjabiRead the 31 Aug 2020 English or Panjabi Press ReleaseRead 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.

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

Our work is driven by an intersection of perspectives

We believe we can strengthen our connection to Sabad

Our team is translating based on research. They’re looking at the root and etymology of every word of every sentence and from there on, they are building meaning from context.

Tradition —

Collaboration —

Annotations —

We will take each word, provide meaning and context in addition to definitions. We will go line by line, stanza by stanza, ensuring that every interpretation has the utmost context for understanding.

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

Our Progress to Date

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

Amanpreet Singh

Bhagwant Singh

Harinder Singh

Harjinder Singh

Inni Kaur

Ishmeet Kaur

Jagtej Singh

Jasleen Kaur

Jaspal Singh

Jaswant Singh

Jatinder Pal Singh

Lakhwinder Singh

Rajinder Singh

Ramandip Kaur

Sohan Singh

Surender Pal Singh

Harsohena Kaur

Inder Mohan Singh

Mohanbir Singh

Satvinder Singh

Albel Singh

Gagandeep Kaur

Gurbinder Singh

Gurwinder Kaur

Harcharan Singh

Harpreet Kaur

Inderpreet Singh

Jashanpreet Singh

Navtej Singh

Nirvair Singh

Simar Kaur

Simerjit Kaur

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

Begin the Journey

Follow Us

Sikh Research Institute

Sikh Research Institute Canada

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