The Guru Granth Sahib Project- 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.

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

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.

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 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.

Start exploring now ⟶

Milestones