The Hindu : New Delhi News : New light on songs of the Sikh Gurus

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Friday, Dec 05, 2008
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New light on songs of the Sikh Gurus

Arpana Caur

Acclaimed writer and columnist Khushwant Singh and noted painter Arpana Caur have come together to bring out a book on Sikh religion.

The book, “Songs of the Gurus: From Nanak to Gobind Singh”, comprises verses from Guru Granth Sahib and other sacred texts that have been translated by Khushwant Singh and has vibrant and imaginative illustrations by Arpana Caur.

The book has been published by Penguin Books India.

The Sikh religion was founded by Guru Nanak (1469-1539), who drew upon the teachings of Muslim Sufis and Hindu Bhaktas. Sikhism is about unity, simplicity, equality and surrender to God. The verses of the Sikh Gurus – most of them have been included in Guru Granth Sahib – articulate these teachings.

The new book contains a selection of verses from Guru Granth Sahib and other sacred texts like Guru Tegh Bahadur’s “Vairagmayi Bani” and the “Dasam Granth” of Guru Gobind Singh.

Translated by Khushwant Singh, a leading scholar of Sikh history and culture, these mystical hymns retain the immediacy and the lyricism of the originals.

Khushwant Singh, who has been the Editor of The Illustrated Weekly of India and National Herald, has authored several best-selling novels. He has also written the classic two-volume “A History of the Sikhs”, done a number of translations and authored non-fiction books on the Sikh religion and culture.

Celebrated painter Arpana Caur, who has exhibited her works in India and abroad, has been inspired by her mother Ajeet Caur’s writings, Gurbani and the Indian folk art traditions.

Parul Sharma

Khushwant Singh

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