Asian Art

Giani

A giani or gyani (Punjabi: ਗਿਆਨੀ (Gurmukhi), meaning "wise one") is traditionally an honorific Sikh title used by someone learned in Sikhism, often someone who leads the congregation in prayers, and it is now an academic qualification in Punjabi language and literature. The word gyan means "knowledge" in Punjabi, being a derivative of the Sanskrit word jnana. So a "gyani" is one who has spiritual and religious knowledge and can help the congregation, the Sadh Sangat, in understanding the Sacred Texts and the history of the religion. The term is also used to refer to a puritanical and scripturalist order or sect amongst the Sikhs. The term is also used to refer to a traditional Sikh intellectual tradition which produced literature and operated educational institutions. The tradition traces itself to Guru Gobind Singh's activities at Talwandi Sabo, now marked by Takht Damdama Sahib. Notable Sikhs who were associated with this tradition include Giani Hazara Singh, Giani Bishan Singh, and Gurbachan Singh Bhindranwale.

Also on this shelf

See also

• ▸Descendants of the Sikh gurus
• ▸Caitika
• ▸1441

Uncatalogued shelf

Text from Wikipedia; plate via Wikimedia Commons. Text CC BY-SA 4.0; plate freely licensed (see Commons). Source record. Images and catalogue data are reproduced from open-access collections.