Amritsar, March 28 : A Two-day National Seminar on “Exegesis of Sri Guru Granth Sahib: Nature and Methodology” inaugurated at Guru Nanak Dev University in the Guru Nanak Bhawan. This seminar is being organized by Sri Guru Granth Sahib Studies Centre of the University.
Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, former Jathedar Sri Akal Takhat Sahib presided over the inaugural session while Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A.S. Brar inaugurated this Seminar and Prof. Balkar Singh from Punjabi University, Patiala delivered the keynote address on this occasion. Dr. Balwant Singh Dhillon, Director while welcoming the dignitaries detailed about the aims and objectives of the establishment of centre on studies in Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
In his inaugural address, Prof. Brar remarked that the Centre on Studies in Sri Guru Granth Sahib will be developed into an excellent Centre on Sikh Studies. He welcomed the scholars participating in the Seminar and hoped that this Seminar will be a step further in the direction of authoritative exposition of Sikh Scripture.
Dr. Balkar Singh, in his note key address, referred to the marginalization of exegetes and stressed the need to bring them back to the mainstream.
Singh Sahib Giani Joginder Singh stressed the need for a correct explanation of Gurbani. He felt that there should be a comprehensive and standard grammar of Gurbani. He also emphasized the need for re-visiting the available exegetical works so as to arrive at correct meaning of Bani.
Prof Pirthipal Singh Kapur, Former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Unversity presided over the first academic session. Dr. Balwant Singh Dhillon while introducing about the Seminar’s theme said that the seminar is focused on three areas namely history of the exegesis of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Tools of exegesis that have been developed so far and the approaches to the exegesis of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. He said that about 45 papers have been received for this seminar.
Among the scholars who presented their papers included Dr. Jagbir Singh whose papers articulate the Viakhia Sastra and relate it to the modern concerns. Others who presented paper included Dr. Parmjit Singh Sidhu, Sant Jail Singh of the Nirmala tradition, Dr. Herdev Singh Virk, Raghbir Singh Tak, Dr. Gurbachan Singh Bachan and Dr. Jasbir Singh Sabar.