The theme for Surat-Lalkaar 2012 is Kaur Voices: Exalt, Express, Empower.  At the conference, we will begin the exploration of the complexity of the ways genderism, sexism, and even casteism affect our relationships as individuals and how they manifest as a community.  We will begin the first steps in a conversation to challenge these hierarchies and discuss how we can put into practice the vision of the Gurus and their celebration of equality.

Some conversations will be difficult; some will be challenging; some will be frustrating – however, this is how we will grow as a community.  We ask all the participants to come prepared to explore the nuances of hierarchy and how we make the Sikh Revolution of Guru Nanak our living reality.

Workshop 1 (Compassionate Connections) – Through a series of case studies, the participants at Surat-Lalkaar 2012 will analyze the ways how us as individuals perpetuate genderism, sexism, and other inequalities.  Many very difficult circumstances – all based on true lives – will be explored and discussed.

Workshop 2 (Gurmukh Interventions) – The second workshop explores how we can create community-based solutions, inflected with the vision of our Gurus and Gurbani, to address some of the issues explored in the case studies.

Workshop 3 (The Highest Path: The Aura of Anandpur) – The third workshop is a look at our historical past.  Sikh history is replete with female names. Mata Khivi, Mai Bhago, and Bibi Upkar Kaur have become well-known to the masses. However, were they exceptional or exemplar? Were they merely outstanding individuals or did they exemplify a revolutionary and transformative spirit? In our historical documents, we may have the answer.  To be presented is a text written during the period of Guru Gobind Singh’s court at Anandpur Sahib.  Most significant is that we are granted a window not only into the world that Gurbani envisions, but rather the world that Gurbani informed.

Workshop 4 (Between Hemp and Cotton) – The fourth workshop explores, through a translational activity, the power of Sangat.  Bhai Gurdas was the most eminent Sikh scholar, during the Guru period.  A nephew of Guru Amardas, Bhai Gurdas was an exceptional parcharak of Sikhi.  In addition to being Guru Arjan’s scribe, during the dictation of the Guru Granth Sahib, his powerful words and understanding of Sikhi influenced many in diverse areas of South Asia to become Sikhs.  His writings, preserved as vaars and kabiths, are referred given importance and sometimes referred to as the kunji of Gurbani.  In this workshop we will see the powerful transformative power we, as a Sangat have. to create a new future and new possibilities to challenge existing problems within our community.

Workshop 5 (A Singh/Kaur Code) – The fifth workshop will bring participants together in light of Sikh history and Sikh textual traditions to begin writing how we want to treat each other as a community.  Challenging problematic views of static masculinity and femininity, through the power of Sangat we can create new possibilities within our community.

Workshop 6 (pending) – more details to follow

Workshop 7 (Projects and Possibilities) – Continuing the project of Kaur Voices forward, we will begin thinking about institutions and projects to create in our local communities to further disseminate the Gurus’ message of equality.