Goindval Pothis

Gurinder Singh Mann is Kundan Kaur Kapany Chair in Sikh Studies, Professor in the Global & International Studies Program and the Department of Religious Studies, and Director of the Center for Sikh and Punjab Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

• Introduction to the Goindval Pothis: the Goindval Pothis as understood by Sikh tradition; the history of pothis; the time of their recording; their original number; their internal structure; their place in the transmission of the early sacred corpus; boundaries of this research. The contents of the extant Goindval Pothis: Pothi at Lajpat Nagar, Jalandhar - hymns in "rag" Suhi, "Rag" Prabhati, "Rag" Dhanasri, "Rag" Basant, "Rag" Bhairo, "Rag" Maru, "Rag" Tilang; Pothi at Sundar Kutia, Pinjore, - hymns in "rag" Ramkali, "Rag" Sorathi, "Rag" Malar, "Rag" Sarang. Non-canonical compositions in the extant Goindval Pothis: compositions attributed to the Gurus; Gulam Sadasevak; Kabir; Namdev; Trilochan; Beni; Sharaf.

Mann is clearly of the new generation of academics in Sikh studies who do not share the mindset of ‘established’ scholars in the subject. He also combines a deep understanding for his faith, and its traditions, with the need for outstanding academic rigour. This is a fine volume that has been long overdue. Mann has rendered extremely useful service in making the sacred literature readily available. Let us hope the publishers of this volume recognise the need to make it accessible to an audience beyond Sikh specialists.