GAAVANI Historic India Tour as Told by Navpreet Kaur to SikhNet
When talking to Navpreet Kaur about her experiences during the landmark GAAVANI Tour through India commemorating the birth, life, and martyrdom of Ninth Guru Teg Bhahadur, she sounded impassioned and excited, with her experiences and as fresh as if 31 sisters bonded by raag Kirtan had joined hands across the globe and never let go, as though the nasha, intoxication, of the Kirtan she had heard on her journey still rings in her ears and ravishes her heart. This is her story:
October 31, 2025 Meeting with Akal Thakat
Members of the GAAVANI Team, Coordinator Tanveer Singh, Film Director Sunny Dhinsey, and I met with Jaskaran Singh (Personal Assistant to the Akal Thakat Jathedar) in the Jathedar’s office to discuss the significance of the GAAVANI vision and the importance we place on Gurmat Sangeet. I shared our donors’ excitement for this initiative as the majority of funds had been raised in the United States. We shared the details of our tour itinerary - starting at Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal, Amritsar on November 6, 2025, the birthplace of Guru Teg Bahadur and ending at Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib on November 26, 2025, at Anandpur Sahib - to pay tribute to his life, sacrifice and martyrdom. We had already assured SGPC that our female Kirtaniye team would be singing from memory and in nirdharat raags, (as compiled in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji), and that each of the 31 main raags would be represented at least once. I also expressed the importance of each GAAVANI female Kirtaniya having a deep understanding of her Shabads sung and our primary purpose being to connect ourselves, through which to connect Sangat with Guru’s Shabad.
Akal Thakat initiated a conversation about the possibility of women one day doing Kirtan in Darbar Harmandir Sahib [Golden Temple] which requires strict adherence to SGPC criteria of Sikh principles and code of conduct for Kirtan performed at their Gurdwara Sahibs. Prior to performing, Amritdhari women Kirtaniye would go through the customary vetting and approval processes, and tested for knowledge of raag, format, Shabad and performance, as is the case for all employees of SGPC who perform Kirtan at Darbar Sahib. Based on our conversation, I am excited and feel confident in saying this reality is possible within the foreseeable future.
After confirming with the Jathedar directly, Jaskaran Singh promised that Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj himself would join us on November 26, 2025, at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib for GAAVANI’s concluding Kirtan Darbar. I went away grateful to have been acknowledged and heard by an influential and progressive Sikh male in Punjab who listened to GAAVANI’s vision spoken aloud, and feeling hopeful that we can look up to our Sikh leadership for their values.
History is Made When 31 Women Sing Kirtan in Raag at Historic Gurdwaras Throughout India
GAAVANI is an all women Kirtaniya enterprise which began in California USA in 2022. GAAVANI soon expanded to cities across America, and in 2025, organized nine cities in India including several in Punjab. GAAVANI features women trained in Gurmat Sangeet to sing in the various raags of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Dr. Gurnam Singh’s leadership has been an instrumentally significant pillar of GAAVANI.Gurmat Sangeet mentors and supporters of GAAVANI include, Ustad Sukhwant Singh, Bhai Kultar Singh, Bhai Baldeep Singh, and Dr. Manpreet Singh.
In commemoration of the martyrdom of Ninth Guru Teg Bahadar, GAAVANI visited Gurdwaras and colleges across nine cities in India during November of 2025, in a landmark, first of its kind, history making, Kirtan tour, and included, altogether, 31 women Kirtaniye singing in 31 raags:
● November 6, 2025 ~ Our tour opened at Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal, Amritsar, birthplace of Guru Teg Bahadur, and featured 4 Kirtanye - Biba Simrit Kaur of Canada, Biba Prabhjot Kaur of Batala, Biba Ashupreet Kaur of Jalandhar, and Biba Hargunpreet Kaur of Ludhiana. Personally, I was taken aback by this historical site, which is tucked away and a bit harder to access, however it felt just right to begin our tour in a less commercialized space, adding an authenticity and humility that felt pristine. Just as Biba Hargunpreet Kaur was about to sing her rendition of Guru Nanak’s Aarti in Dhanasri raag, reporters showed up. I’ll never forget that moment when I heard her for the first time - her confidence, clarity, expression and profound ability drew me back in. I was hesitating to leave the Darbar hall, however reporters had pulled me outside, so I quickly went to greet them. The moment she began singing, I felt pulled in, like a bee to honey, and so I quickly wrapped up talking with the reporters outside. On my way back inside, I took a short video clip to preserve this memory and immediately shared it with the Akal Takat, with a message, that the Divine beauty of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Aarti in Dhanasri raag, sung by a woman, is what the world needs to hear more of.
● November 8, 9 & 10, 2025 ~ As Sikh women from around the globe, united through his legacy, standing together at the very sites where Guru Teg Bahadur was martyred and cremated in Delhi felt almost unreal. His courage in November 1675 - one of humanity’s clearest declarations of spiritual sovereignty - came into sharper focus - a selfless sacrifice that forever elevated human consciousness. In those moments, his call to inner clarity felt unmistakably alive. These 3 days in Delhi featured 10 Kirtanye:
● November 8, 2025 ~ Gurdwara *Sis Ganj Sahib, Delhi, marks the site of Guru Teg Bahadur’s beheading. Kirtan featured Biba Guneet Kaur of USA, Biba Simrit Kaur of Canada, Professor Gursharan Kaur of Delhi and Dr. Harpreet Kaur of Bangalore.
● November 9, 2025 ~ Gurdwara **Rakab Ganj Sahib, Delhi marks the spot of the covert cremation of Guru Teg Bahadur’s body. Kirtan featured Biba Guneet Kaur of USA, Biba Simrit Kaur of Canada, Biba Parampreet Kaur of Delhi, Biba Gungun Kaur of Delhi and Biba Roopjit Kaur of Delhi. It was here at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, that we met Jagjeevan Singh of Sikhnet, who had traveled from Mumbai to support our event.
● November 10, 2025 ~ Mata Sundri Khalsa College, Delhi. Kirtan featured Biba Simrit Kaur of Canada, Dr. Nivedita Singh of Patiala, Biba Jasleen Kaur of Delhi and Biba Gurpreet Kaur of Delhi.
● November 12, 2025 ~ 34 Sector Gurdwara Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib, Chandigarh. Kirtan was conducted by 5 Kirtaniye - Biba Guneet Kaur of USA, Biba Simrit Kaur of Canada, Dr. Nivedita Singh of Patiala, Biba Kamaljeet Kaur of Chandigarh and Biba Gurpreet Kaur of Delhi. The planning and anticipation of our program in Chandigarh was very strong, and the event was beautifully received and well attended.
● November 13, 2025 ~ The day following the Sector 34 Chandigarh Kirtan, we were treated to a picnic at Sukhna Lake, organized by Sardar Gurpreet Singh of Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha. A friend of Gurpreet Singh remarked, “The nasha (intoxication) from last night’s Kirtan has still not worn off.”
~ Two days later, when being interviewed by Rozana Spokesman, I was asked to comment about substance issues in Punjab, and so I responded, “What if everyone in Punjab could be intoxicated by Guru’s Shabad!”
● November 14, 2025 ~ Gurdwara Dukhnivarn Sahib, Patiala. Kirtan featured 5 women - Biba Guneet Kaur of USA, Biba Simrit Kaur of Canada, Biba Prabhjot Kaur of Delhi, Biba Jasleen Kaur of Ludhiana, and Rababi Ramanjeet Kaur of Patiala.
● November 15, 2025 ~ Gurdwara Godari Sahib, Faridkot. Kirtan featured 4 women - Biba Amrit Kaur of Mansa, Biba Khushkamal Kaur of Ludhiana, Biba Navpreet Kaur of USA, and Biba Amanneet Kaur of Bareilly.
● November 16, 2025 ~ Gurdwara Gur Giaan Prakash Jawaddi Taksal, Ludhiana. Kirtan featured 4 women - Biba Rupinder Kaur of Ludhiana, Biba Amrit Kaur of Mansa, Biba Simran Kaur of Ludhiana, and Biba Gaganjot Kaur of Pipli.
● November 17, 2025 ~ Our Kirtan Darbar took place at Gurdwara Nauvi Patshahi Dukh Nivaran Sahib, Jalandhar, and featured 5 women - Biba Guneet Kaur of USA, Biba Hargunpreet Kaur of Ludhiana, Biba Manveer Kaur of Ludhiana, Biba Navpreet Kaur of USA, and Biba Sushmeet Kaur of Chhattisgarh. In Jalandhar, our livestream partner initially positioned one of their cameras on the Palki and Guru Granth Sahib Ji, a revered visual for many online viewers. While this is a familiar practice, I intentionally directed our team to keep cameras focused on the stage where the Guru’s wisdom was alive and unfolding in real time, to be perceived through attunement and singing of the Guru’s Shabad.
● November 20, 2025 ~ During our off day in Nawanshahr, I met a simple dairy farmer and his family. I inquired why he didn’t prefer to work a job which could earn him more income than his small dairy farm. He replied he was committed to his dairy farm and hoped to expand it so that it would be more profitable, and someday possibly pass on to his twin daughters whose first birthday was coming up in just 3 days. Moved by the authenticity of his story and struggle, I reached out to my family and was able to arrange a gift of money. Along with the money, I added a framed Shabad and told them, “This money will soon be gone, but this Shabad is here with you to stay.”
Later that afternoon, Sunny Dhinsey planned a beautiful filming segment. On our drive from Nawanshahr back to Amrtisar, we requested Biba Hargunpreet Kaur to join us on the Sutlej River near Phillaur, a town in the Ludhiana District so she could take her instrument on to a small boat while singing a Shabad related to water. The standing oarsman guided her boat along the water while Sunny filmed her from a second boat. Next, Sunny moved his equipment to her boat, so that he could capture another angle. Finally, he also filmed this scene using his drone camera to present a view from above. Sunny insisted on carrying his own equipment himself because he wanted to be fully immersed in these moments of serving Guru’s Shabad. He told us, “It is my personal devotion to carry my own equipment and feel the sand between my toes when I film this sequence”.
Biba Hargunpreet Kaur held her female tanpura in her lap as she sang the Shabad:
ਹਮ ਡੋਲਤ ਬੇੜੀ ਪਾਪ ਭਰੀ ਹੈ ਪਵਣੁ ਲਗੈ ਮਤੁ ਜਾਈ ॥
ham ddolat baeree paap bharee hai pavan lagai mat jaaiee ||
My boat is wobbly and unsteady, filled by mistakes and doing wrong;
The wind is rising, I hope my boat doesn't tip over and drown.
Sunny Dhinsey’s creativity and passion for film is unfiltered and pure, and in my opinion, his scenes filmed from two kayaks in the Sutlej River will likely deserve award level recognition. In our GAAVANI film director’s own words, “One day we will all be gone, but the GAAVANI documentary film will stay.”
● November 21, 2025 ~ Gurdwara Baba Bakala, near Amritsar, where Bhai Makhan Shah revealed Guru Teg Bahadur to be the Ninth Sikh Guru. Kirtan featured 4 women - Biba Rajwinder Kaur of Amritsar, Biba Laxmi Kaur of Delhi, Biba Navdeep Kaur of Una, and Biba Gagandeep Kaur of Amritsar.
● November 22, 2025 ~ Khalsa College for Women, Amritsar, featuring 5 women - Biba Guneet Kaur of USA, Biba Prabhjot Kaur of Batala, Biba Laxmi Kaur of Delhi, Biba Rajwinder Kaur of Amritsar, and Biba Amandeep Kaur of Amritsar. The love and intention behind this program was unmistakable - the excitement and reverence of the organizers, visible in every thoughtful detail and in the warmth with which they received us. Led by Sardar Harmanjeet Singh of Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Amritsar, in collaboration with Dr. Mehal Singh, Vice Chancellor of Khalsa University, the event reflected a deep sense of joy and pride in honoring Guru Teg Bahadur through recognizing women-led spiritual leadership.
● November 26, 2025 ~ The Kirtan tour concluded at Gurdwara Sri *Sis Ganj, Sri Anandpur Sahib, which commemorates the final historical site of the 9th Guru. Bhai Jaita Ji smuggled the severed head of Guru Teg Bahadur from Delhi and returned it for cremation to his 9-year-old son, Gobind Rai, who would later become the 10th and final Guru in physical form, Guru Gobind Singh. Kirtan featured 4 women - Biba Guneet Kaur of USA, Biba Prabhjot Kaur of Batala, Biba Ashupreet Kaur of Jalandhar, and Biba Prabhjot Kaur of Delhi. As this final Kirtan program started, I had not yet received confirmation that the Akal Thakat Jathedar would in fact be present, as we had discussed at the October 31 meeting. Still, I remained on watch as I could not help but hope that he would show up. Then from the stage, I saw the Jathedar’s bodyguards arrive, carrying their guns. When I saw those body guards, it was a sparkling moment of clarity and THE best validation - a year of planning and devotion, punctuated with the exclamation mark of his guns! A proclamation of sovereignty to show up and support women’s voices carrying the Guru’s SHABAD. He came to defend us women and encourage all women - and I recall in that moment, feeling really proud to be Sikh - to not only be guided by the balancing ideals of Miri and Piri but also to witness it in action - Miri (his authority and bravery) come together with Piri (our devotion to Guru’s Shabad). I felt the sweetness of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji’s presence throughout that day, as the Jathedar kept his promise to do what was right versus what was easy. It felt beautiful. It felt powerful. It felt complete. To experience the unity of Men and Women, East & West, Miri & Piri.
Jathedar Ji closed the program saying, “these women are the ਵਾਰਸ (vaaras ‘heiresses’) of ***Mata Gujri Ji. It is their very important task to strengthen women in Sikhi.” And then yet another sweet and serendipitous moment - when he leaned over and whispered to Biba Guneet Kaur to end her Kirtan with his choice of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji’s Shabad in Dhanasri raag - the same raag we opened with on November 6, 2025 at Guru Sahib’s birthplace in Amritsar when Biba Hargunpreet Kaur had sung Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Aarti with a similar message – ‘We are all beings created of the same light and that light is within.’
Biba Guneet sang the concluding Shabad, requested by Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj:
ਕਾਹੇ ਰੇ ਬਨ ਖੋਜਨ ਜਾਈ ॥
kaahe re ban khojan jaiee ||
Why are you searching for the Divine in the Forest?
*Sis means head and Ganj means treasure. Sis Ganj is the treasured head of Guru Teg Bahadur.
**Rakab refers to “makers of stirrups,” and Rakab Ganj are the treasured stirrup makers who arranged for the clandestine cremation of Guru Teg Bahadur’s severed body.
***Mata Gujri - Wife of 9th Guru Teg Bahadur, Mother of 10th Guru Gobind Singh, and Grandmother of Chaar Sahibzade (four sons of 10th Guru) all of whom gave their lives to uphold Sikhi.
Gratitude
Organizing this initiative has been among the richest treasures of my life – there are no words to express what Guru Sahib has facilitated by opening channels and encouraging this vision. Further, to witness each Kirtaniya's discipline, personal sacrifice, joy, anticipation and above all, a deep love for GurSikhi has been a profound testament to women’s individual and collective roles in nurturing Sikh Spirituality.
At the heart of GAAVANI lies a truth that has shaped our lives: The pathway of Kirtan connects our inner voice to our pillar – the Guru's Shabad. It is a relationship that is lived, practiced and grown into, one Shabad at a time, rooted in the experiential gift of Naam. The musical gift, foresight and genius of Guru Nanak Dev Ji to embed divine wisdom within melody, rhythm and raag – is unparalleled in human history. The Guru invites us to sing again and again; to steer away from distractions and attune inward; to anchor ourselves in the Shabad, the Truth, Naam; to experience the Divine within; and to integrate heart and mind with Ik Onkar. I am especially thankful to Biba Guneet Kaur and Biba Simrit Kaur whose Love and Spirit are at the core of GAAVANI’s strength.
My heart is full of gratitude for all 31 Kirtaniyas whose excitement have shaped GAAVANI into a living testament of unity, sisterhood, leadership, strength and devotion - facilitated through the Guru’s Shabad.
May GAAVANI remind our children of who they are – the daughters and sons of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Teg Bahadur Ji – sovereign, radiant and guided seekers. May the Shabad become their personal pillar and musical companion, providing a spiritual compass and lifelong growth.
May all parents nurture the gift of Kirtan in their children. Music develops the intellect, soothes the mind and strengthens emotional well-being – along with the Guru’s Shabad, this combination creates a pathway for Divine connection. This is how generations of Sikh children will develop a relationship with Gurbani and Sikh spirituality – gently, musically and personally.
What is Next for GAAVANI?
We are very excited about several upcoming projects following this tour. A book of Shabad compositions in all 31 raags performed during our tour is currently on the printing press and will be released in early 2026. Our documentary film is on the editing table and is planned for completion in March, after which it will be released internationally at film festivals and private screenings. We will soon start releasing beautifully recorded individual Shabad videos on YouTube.
Documentary Film
Sunny Dhinsey of UK is our GAAVANI film director. I met with 4 other filmmakers before finding Sunny. We connected immediately, both of us equally passionate about representing Sikhi.
Individual Shabad Videos on YouTube
We will release individual Shabad videos on YouTube. Our video and audio team captured each Kirtan Darbar professionally with beautiful angles and closeups. The quality of these videos will set a new standard for live recordings. My son’s feedback, “This is as good as watching TV!”
Where is GAAVANI Headed Next?
The Houston community was very supportive of GAAVANI’s vision when I was fundraising for the tour. Houston Sangat leaders have requested the next GAAVANI event be held in their city in the second half of 2026. We are excited to present a private screening of the GAAVANI documentary film for the Huston sangat at that time.
GAAVANI in Delhi
We are working with Bibi Ranjit Kaur from Delhi to organize local Kirtan haazri’s by GAAVANI Kirtaniyas.
GAAVANI in London
GAAVANI is honored to partner with Sahara Sisterhood and Khalsa Jatha British Isles to premiere the landmark GAAVANI documentary film on March 13, 2026 at University College London during International Women’s Week celebrations across London next month. This film is a powerful testament to women’s leadership, bringing the majesty of the Guru’s Shabad and the pride of Sikh Spirituality to the global cinematic stage.
