IISER MOHALI

Abstract: This seminar examines the lived heritage of the Nanak Panthi tradition — a broad, inclusive culture of Guru Nanak’s followers that historically transcended boundaries of faith, language, and geography across the Indus basin. Rooted in the principles of universality, equality, and freedom of thought, the Nanak Panthis embodied a syncretic spirituality that flourished before the modern definitions of religious identity.

The presentation traces the tradition’s evolution through reformations, colonial re-classifications, and Partition, exploring how these forces reshaped Nanak Panthi practices. Through fieldwork and visual ethnography, the talk invites reflection on belonging, pluralism, and cultural continuity. For students, it raises enduring questions of identity and purpose — how fluid traditions can inspire openness, empathy, and a more inclusive understanding of community in a globalized world.

About the Speaker: Mr. Amardeep Singh is an independent researcher and documentary filmmaker who draws on years of fieldwork and creative documentation across South Asia to connect ancient insights with modern life. For more information, please visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amardeep_Singh