Kwantlen Polytechnic University

KORA: Kwantlen Open Resource Access
Faculty Researcher Profiles

Office of Research and Scholarship

2014

Hearing the Voices of the People - Kamala Nayar
(Faculty of Arts, Asian Studies)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Office of Research and Scholarship.

Follow this and additional works at: http://kora.kpu.ca/facultyprofiles
Part of the East Asian Languages and Societies Commons, Other International and Area Studies
Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies Commons,
and the Sociology of Culture Commons
Recommended Citation
Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Office of Research and Scholarship., "Hearing the Voices of the People - Kamala Nayar (Faculty of
Arts, Asian Studies)" (2014). Faculty Researcher Profiles. Profile 4.
http://kora.kpu.ca/facultyprofiles/4

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Office of
Research and
Scholarship

Spotlight
Faculty Researcher Profile

Faculty of Arts - Asian Studies

Hearing the Voices of the People
Snapshot
Dr. Kamala Nayar is a faculty member specializing in South Asian Studies at KPU
who is committed to interdisciplinary inquiry. With an interest in ethnic studies, especially
in relation to Canadian society, Kamala’s research has made significant contribution to
scholarly literature surrounding the social, cultural, political, and economic conditions of
minorities. As well, her research proves to be an asset in the classroom, as it is able to
draw students into lectures by offering real life field stories and ethnographic narratives.

Key Research
Using social anthropology and textual analysis as her two main streams of focus, Kamala’s
research surrounds contemporary South Asian communities in Canada, and the history of
Indian religions.
Past social anthropological research:
• In The Punjabis in British Columbia: Location, Labour, First Nations, and Multiculturalism
(2012), Kamala documents the social and cultural transformations and adaptions Punjabi
communities in BC experience, due to economic hardship caused by a decline in the
forestry and fishery industries. In order to accomplish this research, Kamala interviewed
100 individuals about their second migration experience from the Skeena region to
BC’s lower mainland, and how this transition affected their identities and experiences in
Canada.
• The Sikh Diaspora in Vancouver: Three Generations Amid Tradition, Modernity, and
Multiculturalism (2004) highlights the Sikh community in the context of mainstream
Canadian society. Again, Kamala interviews over 100 individuals in order to understand
the beliefs, attitudes, behavioural patterns, and traditional customs and values of three
Sikh generations. (She discovers the greatest catalyst for change within the community,
its youth.)

Dr. Kamala Nayar

Past textual studies:
• In The Socially Involved Renunciate: Guru Nanak’s ‘Discourse to the Nath Yogis’ (2007),
Kamala explores Sikh tradition and religion by analyzing the Siddh Gost composed by
Guru Nanak. She, along with Jaswinder Singh Sandhu, provides an English translation of
the philosophical text while highlighting theological and ethical practices of the Siddh
Gosht and Sikh teachings.
• Kamala’s Hayagriva in South India: Complexity and Selectivity of a Pan-Indian Hindu
Deity (1999) looks at the ‘Sri Vaiṣhṇava History’ of Hayagrîva since the 14th century C.E. and
how mythology can intentionally adapt to serve theology. Kamala’s study draws on the
consistency of certain religious symbols and imagery despite a god’s changing status
due to a sect.

Impact of Research
Kamala Nayar’s research is helping to build a stronger, less ethnocentric narrative that
is more inclusive of unique cultural identities and minorities. Moreover, as an instructor
and researcher, Kamala is enhancing the quality of education for both students and the
scholarly community. By giving a ‘voice’ to otherwise misunderstood ethnic enclaves,
Kamala’s research should impact future Canadian policy at the national, provincial and
municipal levels.

What’s Next?
Kamala Nayar’s future research plans include:
• Pursuing research on Indian religions and the environment,
with a focus on population and consumption in both the
historical and contemporary contexts.

Check out Kamala Online:
• The Punjabis in British Columbia: Location, Labour, First
Nations, and Multiculturalism
http://www.mqup.ca/punjabis-in-british-columbia--theproducts-9780773540705.php
• The Socially Involved Renunciate: Guru Nanak’s ‘Discourse to
the Nath Yogis’
http://books.google.ca/books/about/The_Socially_Involved_
Renunciate.html?id=WTfKwGV6mBkC
• The Sikh Diaspora in Vancouver: Three Generations Amid Tradition, Modernity,
and Multiculturalism:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Sikh-Diaspora-Vancouver-Multiculturalism/
dp/0802086314
• Hayagriva in South India: Complexity and Selectivity of a
Pan-Indian Hindu Deity:
http://www.abebooks.com/9789004137301/
Hayagriva-South-India-ComplexitySelectivity-9004137300/plp

For further information please visit:
libguides.kpu.ca/kora and kpu.ca/research