How I found out about Sikhi

I've always been a student of foreign languages, religions, and cultures. I've lived in Europe and Asia (though never India), and have always appreciated the different ways in which people live their lives.

Now comes the mildly funny part. Since I was child growing up in Southern California, I've always had a weakeness for Bollywood movies. I would get up on Saturday mornings to watch cartoons, and after they were over I'd watch the Bollywood movie clips on a TV show called Namaste America.

A few months ago, I was watching a Bollywood film in which the main character was a Sikh. I realized that of all the studying I'd done of various religions throughout the world I knew nothing about Sikhism, other than the 5 K's, the importance of the Golden Temple, and the tragedy of Operation Bluestar.

So, I started studying and kept getting drawn further into it. It's a little tough to find meaningful things to read when I don't speak Panjabi. I'm working on that, but it's slow going. I do a little every day. There aren't a lot of good resources for Panjabi second language learners. I used to be a French teacher and have a degree in Russian as well, so learning other languages is really fun for me.

I downloaded some apps for my iPhone that have Gutka, Nitnem in Panjabi, Nitnem in English, and another app of Audio Nitnem in Panjabi. Would really like to get my hands on a Guru Granth Sahib Ji in dual Panjabi/English that won't kill my bank account.

Anyway, that's enough about me for now. Oh, and the movie? Rocket Singh.

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Comment by Preet Kaur on July 31, 2012 at 4:52
If you email me at imanjot@me.com, i can email you the Guru Granth Sahib which you can read on your phone in pdf.
Comment by Basics-of Sikhi on July 17, 2012 at 14:04

James, please check our youtube channel www.youtube.com/basicsofsikhi  some of the videos have been showcased on Sikhnet too. Thanks

Comment by James Sneed on July 14, 2012 at 3:00

Hi Amarjit,

                Thank you for the comments. I will have to check out SOS and Bhag Milkha Bhag when thay are released. A good book I read that gives a general outline of Sikh history, beliefs, practices, and movements is called Sikhism by Hew McLeod. I had purchased it about 15 years ago but never read it until now. 

Comment by Amarjit Singh on July 13, 2012 at 7:31

Hi James,

                Nice to read your blog.  Though Sikhism is the right path in this age of darkness(Kaliyug) but unfortunately majority of the people in this world still don't know if such a religion even exists the reason being nothing has been done till date to proselytize Sikhism, no trained teachers, no proper written materials on Sikhi either in English language nor in any other foreign languages. Only one can get some sort of information online but that too is limited and at times confusing.

Please try reading Guru Granth Sahib Ji online with English translations.  Here's the link, 

http://www.sikhnet.com/oldsikhnet/sggs/translation/0001.html

And yes, as far as bollywood movies are considered do check out the forthcoming releases SOS(Son of Sardar) and Bhag Milkha Bhag.

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