INSIDE THE GURU'S GATE - Anpere

Singh Mann. He has provided me much needed support and guidance in Sikh
studies and his extensive knowledge in the field continues to inspire my
work. There are graduate students in Sikh and Punjab Studies who made my
two stays at Santa Barbara memorable events. A special thank you is due to
Gibb Schreffler for always being a good friend and teacher on Punjabi folk
culture. Other students, of whom deserve a special mention, are Rana
Ajrawat, Randi Clary, Rahuldeep Singh Gill, Dan Michon, Pawan Rehill, Ami
Shah, Gurdit Singh, and John Warneke. My gratitude goes to The Swedish
Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education
(STINT) for supporting the seven months-long stay at the UCSB in 2002 ‒
2003, and to the Fulbright Commission for making another stay for eight
months reality in 2006.
Over the years my home county Värmland has been a place of return,
both for academic pursuits and personal retreats. At Karlstad University I
would like to thank Prof. Kjell Härenstam and Prof. Marc Katz for being
mentors who encouraged me to continue with graduate studies on the Sikh
religion and gave opportunities, in India and Sweden, to valuable teaching
experiences. I am also indebted to Dr. Per-Olof Fjällsby and his wife Inga-Lill
who have always been well-wishers and ensured my stays at Ganga Mahal in
Varanasi. A large number of undergraduate students at Karlstad University
have contributed to the development of ideas and assisted me in the field
work. My gratitude goes especially to Brita Ahlenius, Anders Backman,
Cecilia Eriksson, and Vesna Huss for being good friends.
Far out on countryside in Värmland, where the miles-long and
mysteriously deep forests are framing the small curly fields, lies my native
home nearby the Norwegian border. During the course of my work I have
returned to this place for grief and for happiness. In between the field works
in India two beloved family members passed away and cancer caused the
final and too early departure of a dear friend. On one of the trips to India I
met a remarkable man with whom I later tied nuptial bonds in the summer
greenery of Värmland. In the hovering between sorrow and happiness my
family members and especially my parents, Majlise and Kermith Myrvold,
have given constant support for which I am forever in debt. Although my
journeys in life have taken many different directions they have always made
sure that I have a belonging, a loving family, and a native place to which I
always can return.
Finally, I want to thank my beloved husband, Harpreet Bajwa, who
dramatically changed my life in the middle of this work. His unstinting love
and support have made me understand and experience how much more joy it
is to share the different journeys in life with a loving life-partner. I love you.
Lund
October 2007
Published on www.anpere.net in May 2008