I spoke with Snatam in Austin,Texas. She was on tour with  GuruGanesha and Krishan. They did a workshop at YogaYoga and a Peace Concert that evening. Enjoy!

Snatam Kaur bows to the energy of the sound current running through her. This stream of musical vibrations is the experience of the soul connecting with God. It is obvious to the watcher that Snatam, as she sings is tuned into an inner sound that fills her with joy. Snatam believes, that the (Peace) concerts can be a spiritual experience to everyone, connecting people to love and then to peace. "It’s the heart’s intention (to be in a place of service)".

Like a mixture of Karma yoga (selfless service) and Bhakti yoga (devotion through chanting) the Peace Concerts set out to produce a spiritual experience and leave one feeling serene.

Snatam was born in Colorado when her parents were embracing the Sikh faith. The morning practice of Kirtan (devotional singing) found Snatam, as a baby, being carried downstairs in the early morning light where she lay beside her mother until it was time to sing.

"Both my parents were very musical and I look to my mom as my 1^{st music teacher. Music is an essential part of the Sikh practice. The Shabads (Sikh poems and chants) gave me an incredible foundation for later in life". The family moved to California into an ashram where, "It was wonderful for me, growing up with all these aunties and uncles and other children to play with". Snatam was integrated into another culture, the Punjabi Sikhs from India, through visits to their Gurdawaras, which were nearby. Her parents were invited to play music. Gurdwara means "Guru's Gate". It is a traditional Sikh gathering where the Shabad Guru, or Sacred Sound Current is celebrated.}

" The basic essential love for the Sikh religion, no matter what our cultures, even if we couldn’t speak each other’s language - that basic love was there, so I was embraced and did embrace Punjabi Sikhs as my friends when I was quite young".

Sikhs believe that God exists in all beings and Snatam grew up under the tutelage of Yogi Bhajan and his example of reaching out to people of all faiths. He founded International Peace Prayer Day and Snatam was invited to come and sing on numerous occasions. Guru Nanak’s, the Sikh founder, basic message was- if you can’t see God in all, you can’t see God at all. The Sikhs have a love and acceptance of all faiths, cultures and traditions, but distinguish themselves.

"The concept of the Bana or the clothes I wear, identify us to other people about who we are but also to ourselves. I wear a turban to be a kind and good person and to remind myself during the day to be in a state of meditation. It’s also about having a sense of love and joy and pride of who we are. When I tie my turban I try to infuse in my day- prayers and the commitment to my soul to show up that day."

The Sikhs also believe in self-less service to the community. In her mid 20’s, Snatum began working as a biochemist for Peace Cereals in Portland, Oregon. Peace Cereal was introduced by Golden Temple in 1997 as a way to support a more loving planet. Golden Temple is privately owed by a nonprofit organization and founded by Yogi Bhajan, who brought Kundalini Yoga to America.

The idea of a Peace Tour came about when Snatam found that her music career was overtaking her job as a biochemist for the company. " I approached Kartar Singh Khalsa, the CEO of Peace Cereals, and suggested these concerts." Peace Cereal was founded by Yogi Bhajan and since its inception in 1997 has promoted the transformative power of peace by donating 10% of their profits to ^{peace building organizations, resulting in more than $1 million in donations. "No one was really knowing about it. Some of the recipients were Free the Children, Global Nomads, PeaceXPeace."}

Every year Peace Cereals proudly bestow grants to organizations that are leading the way in creating peace. "Now, the focus is shifting to give larger amounts of money ."

Celebrate Peace Tours takes the message of peace where it’s needed most — orphanages, hospitals and incarcerated youth. "We offer service programs and free children’s programs, visiting impoverished communities along the way keeping that commitment to service.

"My goal for the tour - really I believe in the power of music to transform people’s lives. I’ve seen that in my own life and the power of healing, so I want to get that music out there even if it takes walking through 5 doors and gates to get to those young men and women. The only thing that seems to work is to give them a chance to hear their own voices and for them to have a moment of peace and quiet because when you’re in juvenile hall it’s really challenging."

The workshops are a way to bring this understanding of peace to people by teaching Kundalini Yoga, singing sacred songs and encouraging a daily practice. "Kundalini yoga is the yoga of awareness and tho’ it involves postures, breath and chants; the core is to become more aware as a human being in your life as it involves work, family, your inner and outer self."

The music at the concerts is composed of Sikh sacred hymns and chants, songs from the Jewish faith, the Christian religions and music from many faiths. There is music sung in English and Gurmukhi, which is Punjabi or the Sikh language and very easy to sing along to. Different age groups and diverse people are all singing together and uplifting one another. " The concerts are a safe place to experience meditation and yoga. Someone may have a friend or their child may be doing yoga and they have no idea what it is. And they come to the concert and have an uplifting experience in a non-threatening way".