JVALA'S STORYĀ
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For over a decade Jvala has worked to provide access to Sikh texts that have not been translated into English. His unique training within both a traditional Sikh teaching institution (sampradÄya) and academic institutions has allowed him to offer deep insights into Sikh scripture (gurbÄį¹Ä«), history (itihÄsa), poetics (kÄvya), and grammar (vyÄkaraį¹a). While continuing to teach at UC Berkeley, Jvala aims to create academic-level online courses and to make these resources accessible to everyone around the world.
SURAJ PODCAST
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Furthering Jvala's desire to open source precolonial sources he created the Suraj Podcast, a chapter by chapter translation of the epicĀ SÅ«raj PrakÄÅ (1843), by the great Poet Santokh Singh. With over 320 episodes recorded, the podcast has covered the entire story of Guru Hargobind and has begun the life stories of Guru Gobind Singh. To date the podcast has registered over 1,000,000 streams, with listeners tuning in from all over the world.Ā
Tradition Learning
Jvala's formative training was under Sant Giani Inderjit Singh Raqbevale, where he completed hisĀ santhiyaĀ training, learning proper recitation of Adi Guru Granth Sahib, over the course of seven months. Alongside this training, he was schooled in traditional interpretative techniques applied toĀ GurbÄį¹Ä«, which were passed down through the generations.Ā
Academic Learning & TeachingĀ
Completing his PhD at the University of British Columbia in 2024 exploring precolonial Sikh historiography, Jvala has taught at the University of British Columbia, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and remains a lecturer at UC Berkeley in the South and Southeast Asian Studies Department since 2021. Jvala specialized in precolonial Sikh literature, VedÄnta, and the interpretation of BrajbhÄį¹£Ä poetics.Ā
