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 edit

Early life and professional career edit

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 edit

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 edit

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

Activism edit

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

Personal life edit

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 edit

  • 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 edit

  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.

External links edit