Gurmeet Kaur is a Punjabi American writer and publisher known for creating a series of children's books under the project Fascinating Folktales of Punjab.[1]

Gurmeet Kaur
Born
Kanpur, India
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Writer, publisher

Biography

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Early life and professional career

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Gurmeet was born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh and has ancestral roots in Jhelum and Bannu, British India (now Pakistan).[2][3] She grew up in Indore, Madhya Pradesh and migrated to US after surviving the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.[4]

She lives in Atlanta, Georgia and worked as an Engineer & a Software Architect for 25 years.[5] She left her job in 2016 and dedicated herself to promoting Punjabi language.[6]

Fascinating Folktales of Punjab

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She started publishing children's books in 2012.[4] In 2012–13, she published the first set of three books; ChiDi tay Pippal (The Sparrow and the Pippal), ChiDi tay Kaañ (The Sparrow and the Crow), and Lailaa tay Dhol (The Lamb and the Dhol).[4]

In 2018, she published the Undivided Punjab Edition which included illustrations, and text in both the Gurmukhi and the Shahmukhi scripts of Punjabi, along with English.[2] She has also been creating audio versions of the folktales.[7]

The Valiant - Jaswant Singh Khalra

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In 2020, she wrote and published a book about Jaswant Singh Khalra in order to commemorate his 25th martyrdom.[8][9]

Activism

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She has been campaigning for the preservation of heritage at Kartarpur Sahib, where Guru Nanak spent his final years.[10]

Personal life

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She is married and is a mother of two children. Her son Angad Singh works at Vice News.[11] Her daughter Liv Kaur has also participated in storytelling sessions along with her.[12][13]

Works

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  • ChiDi tay Pippal (The Sparrow and the Pippal) - 2012-13
  • ChiDi tay Kaañ (The Sparrow and the Crow) - 2012-13
  • Lailaa tay Dhol (The Lamb and the Dhol) - 2012-13
  • Jatt tay Ghuggee (Farmer and the Dove) - 2014
  • BhukhhaD KeeDee (The Very Hungry Ant) - 2014
  • KukkaD da Viah (The Rooster's Wedding) - 2016
  • Baataañ: Choohay tay sapp diaañ (Tales of The Mouse and the Snake) - 2016
  • Do Baataañ: To’tay tay Lillhaañ (Tales of the parrots and the berries) - 2016
  • Fascinating Folktales of Punjab (1-5) - Undivided Punjab Edition - 2018
  • The Valiant - Jaswant Singh Khalra - 2020[14]
  • Marjeewada - Jaswant Singh Khalra - 2020

References

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  1. ^ "Honoring Nature With Punjabi Folktales". Garden Collage Magazine. 2017-02-24. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  2. ^ a b "Syllables that Bind". The Indian Express. 2018-10-20. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  3. ^ ""A new generation wants to reconnect with Punjabi" | Literati | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  4. ^ a b c "Reclaiming language | Literati | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  5. ^ "About Gurmeet Kaur". Fascinating Folktales of Punjab. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  6. ^ "ਸੁਲੇਖ ਮੇਲੇ, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਜਲੂਸ ਤੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੋਕ ਕਹਾਣੀਆਂ". BBC News ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (in Punjabi). Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  7. ^ "Khabar: Gurmeet Kaur publishes audio stories in Punjabi". www.khabar.com. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  8. ^ "Forgotten in his homeland: Laawaris Laashan Da Waaris". The Indian Express. 2020-09-06. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  9. ^ "The Valiant Jaswant Singh Khalra - A Book by Gurmeet Kaur". 2020-07-13. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  10. ^ Kaur, Gurmeet (2018-12-16). "HERITAGE: HOW TO PRESERVE THE SANCTITY OF GURU NANAK'S KARTARPUR". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  11. ^ IP Singh (Aug 27, 2022). "'why Should My Son Be Made To Choose Between Profession And Motherland' | Chandigarh News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  12. ^ Service, Tribune News. "For the Punjab that doesn't read". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  13. ^ "Gurmeet Kaur | SikhRI People". sikhri.org. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  14. ^ "Bookstore". Fascinating Folktales of Punjab. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
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