The Weight of a Name: From Bal to Kaur

We are born into stories we didn’t write. For me, that story began in the fertile soil of Butala, a small pind in Kapurthala where the name Bal carries the weight of generations. In Punjab, a last name is rarely just a name; it is a map. It tells people which fields your ancestors plowed, which clan you belong to, and where you sit in the complex social hierarchy of the Majha and Doaba regions.

The word Bal (ਬਲ) itself translates to “strength” or “might.” It is a sturdy name, rooted in the Jat heritage of resilience and physical prowess. Growing up, I felt that strength in my lineage - a golden thread connecting me to the dust and spirit of my village. But as I began to navigate my own identity at the intersection of art, fashion, and Sikhi, I realized that while Bal gave me a past, Kaur gave me a future.

The Radical Act of Equality

In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji performed an act of social revolution that remains as radical today as it was three centuries ago. By giving us the name Kaur (ਕੌਰ), the Guru didn’t just give us a title; he gave us an exit ramp from the caste system.

Surnames like Bal, though storied and strong, are markers of a gotra (clan). They inadvertently categorize us, placing us in boxes of social standing. By choosing to lead with Kaur, I am choosing a name that belongs to every Sikh woman, a name that means “Princess” or “Lioness,” but more importantly, a name that signifies sovereignty.

Why I Choose Kaur

Using Kaur instead of Bal isn’t about erasing my family’s history or the pride I feel for my roots in Butala. Instead, it is about:

Identity Beyond Lineage: Traditionally, a woman’s identity shifted from her father’s surname to her husband’s. Kaur is permanent. It is mine before marriage, during marriage, and beyond it. It is an identity that is not contingent on a man.

Spiritual Uniformity: It aligns me with the Khalsa values of equality. When I introduce myself as Kaur, I am standing in a line of sisters where no one is higher or lower based on the land their family owns.

A Creative Canvas: As a designer and stylist, I see “Kaur” as my ultimate brand, a label of divine origin that reminds me to carry myself with grace and strength.

Inheritance is a beautiful thing, but the most powerful part of any legacy is the part you choose to keep. I carry the “Bal” strength in my spirit, but I wear “Kaur” as my crown.

ਜਾਣਹੁ ਜੋਤਿ ਨ ਪੂਛਹੁ ਜਾਤੀ ਆਗੈ ਜਾਤਿ ਨ ਹੇਰ ॥

Recognize the Divine Light within all, and do not inquire about their caste; in the world hereafter, there is no caste. (SGGS, Ang 349)