Chandigarh: Noted US-based Indian author Kamla K. Kapur’s new book, Awakening with Nanak was released here today at a session organised by the Chandigarh Citizens Foundation at the Govt Museum and Art Gallery here today.
The programme began with the celestial musical rendition on rebab, that Bhai Mardana carried along Guru Nanak, with brief performances by Bhai Baldeep Singh ji, and young rebabi Gurdeep Singh that set into motion the journey of self-discovery that Kamla Kapur shared through his book.
Kamla Kapur who had been a professor of literature and mythyology in USA, shared her soul’s inner pilgrimage to find the ultimate inner joy and peace.
In conversation with the senior journalist Ramesh Vinayak, Kamla Kapur said that Nanak’s wisdom serves as both map and compass, offering invaluable guidance through the difficulties and dangers of the path, yet the goal of every human journey is to discover the ambrosial essence that lies within us all.
The 21 essays combine spiritual reflection with memoir, storytelling, and lived experience, Kamla relives the journey through her personal anecdotes, vulnerability, and insight demonstrating how Nanak’s philosophy remains a living force.
While writing this book, published by Harper Collins, Kamla recalled the unexpected onset of three autoimmune illnesses, necrosis of the bones, and severe coronary disease and her physical suffering got intertwined with the spiritual journey that offers a live context for the efficacy of Nanak’s tools and strategies that allowed her to explore Nanak’s teachings not only as philosophy, but as deeply practical tools for navigating the wilderness of pain and uncertainty.
As the author says: “My illness has bequeathed me the precious gift of time—to slowly and deliberately practice Nanak’s tools, to anchor myself in his words. Scribing his verses, systematizing his vision for a modern audience, has given me a star to steer by.”
She said that the book reveals Guru Nanak in a new and modern light, making his teachings accessible to contemporary seekers, especially to younger generations of Sikhs yearning to reconnect with their roots in a fresh, heartfelt way.
Kamla is a prolific writer, poet and playwright, and her another book published last year, The Privilege of Aging, has been awarded the 2025 Nautilus Book Awards (Gold Winner) for category 01 – Aging Consciously.
Prominent among those present at the book launch included CCF President Gen VP Malik, Ms Vinni Mahajan, Col Guljit Singh, among others.
Her other books include, The Singing Guru: Legends and Adventures of Guru Nanak, the First Sikh and Into the Great Heart: Legends and Adventures of Guru Angad, the Second Sikh Guru, Ganesha Goes to Lunch, Rumi’s Tales from the Silk Road: A Pilgrimage to Paradise, Rumi: Tales of the Spirit, each reflecting her longstanding engagement with comparative religion, mysticism, and narrative poetics.
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