Guru Nanak Kamla Kapur's book "Awakening with Nanak" released at CCF function

Chandigarh, September 13, 2026:  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 (CCF) at the Govt Museum and Art Gallery.
CCF President Gen V.P. Malik, former chief secretary Punjab Vinni Mahajan, Executive Editor of Hindustan Times Ramesh Vinayak, former Vice Chancellor Panjab University Arun Grover, Padamshree Neelam Mansingh, joined on stage to honour India-born US based author Kamla K. Kapur.
The programme began with the celestial musical rendition on rebab, that Bhai Mardana carried along Guru Nanak, with brief performance by young rebabi Gurdeep Singh that set into motion the journey of self-discovery that Kamla Kapur shared through her book. 
Bhai Baldeep Singh, did a short vocal classical recital too on the occasion euologising Kamla Kapur's work on Guru Nanak.
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 stays relevant for every generation in the modern world.
The book she said is not a philosophy but a practical guide that anyone can use through Nanak's techniques to tide over any challenges of life, she added.
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 her 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.
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).