A Heartwarming Endorsement
- Roopinder Singh
- Jul 4
- 3 min read
There is a unique joy in seeing a project you have poured your heart into make its way out into the world. That joy multiplies manifold when one of the first copies to arrive on American shores lands in the hands of a dear, long-time friend.
I was absolutely delighted to receive a message from Kamla K. Kapur—acclaimed Indian-American playwright, poet, and author—holding her freshly delivered copy of my new book, Gurdwaras: Abodes of the Guru.
A Friendship Rooted in Words
Kamla and I have known each other for a very long time, sharing a deep, enduring bond rooted in a mutual love for storytelling, culture, and literature. When she first heard that Gurdwaras was in the works, she didn’t wait for a complimentary author copy. With the characteristic warmth and enthusiasm that she brings to everything she does, she preordered it immediately.
Thanks to Amazon in the USA, it arrived swiftly at her doorstep, making her the very first person in America to receive it, certainly the first person to call me after receiving it! Hearing her describe it as a “wonderful, comprehensive book” with “wonderful illustrations” that “deserves to be in every Sikh household” is an endorsement I deeply treasure.
A Shared Reverence for the Sacred
For those familiar with Kamla’s literary repertoire, her profound appreciation for a book celebrating spiritual abodes will come as no surprise. Her own writing beautifully spans the rich spiritual tapestries of the East, ranging from deep dives into Sikh history to universal mysticism. She spends her time between India and the USA, and many of her books have been released in India too. The noted theatre person Neelam Mansingh Chowdhary and I were in conversation with her when she released Rumi: Tales to Live By in Chandigarh in 2017.
Kamla is celebrated globally for her insightful, creative retellings of ancient myths, spirituality, and the human journey. Her broader spiritual and philosophical books include:
The Singing Guru: Legends and Adventures of Guru Nanak, the First Sikh (2015) – A masterfully reimagined look into the divine spiritual journey and life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Into the Great Heart: Legends and Adventures of Guru Angad, the Second Sikh Guru (2018) – A compelling narrative expanding on the profound heritage and early evolution of the Sikh faith.
Ganesha Goes to Lunch: Classics from Mystic India (also published as Classic Tales from Mystic India) – A beautiful exploration of timeless Hindu mythologies and spiritual lessons.
Rumi’s Tales from the Silk Road: A Pilgrimage to Paradise & Rumi: Tales to Live By (published in the US as Rumi: Tales of the Spirit) – Deeply reflective, rich retellings of the great Sufi mystic’s wisdom, serving as an enchanting guide to nourish the soul.
Shared Sacred Landscapes: Stories from Mt Kailas – Folk stories tracing the spiritual resonance surrounding the sacred peaks of the Himalayas.
The Privilege of Aging: Savoring the Fullness of Life (2024) – A lyrical, deeply comforting exploration of finding grace, meaning, and spiritual fulfilment in life's later chapters.
To have an author of her calibre, spiritual sensitivity, and literary depth connect so beautifully with the essence of Gurdwaras means the world to me.
"It talks about the global Gurdwaras... buy it." > — Kamla K. Kapur
Now Available Globally
Gurdwaras: Abodes of the Guru is now officially out.
The book is available at major bookstores across India, the US, Canada, and many European and Asian countries. Also, globally online through Amazon.
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