Founded in 1967 by Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany and his wife, Satinder Kaur Kapany, the Sikh Foundation is a non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to promoting Sikh art, history, and heritage for generations to come.
Satinder Kaur Kapany
Satinder Kaur Kapany, a pioneering philanthropist, visionary art collector, and accomplished painter, led the donation of over 100 Sikh artworks to the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, establishing the Satinder Kaur Kapany Gallery of Sikh Art, the first permanent gallery of its kind in the Americas. Drawing inspiration from Baramah compositions in the Guru Granth Sahib, her paintings reflected her deep connection to Sikh spirituality and heritage. Her warmth, artistry, and vision continue to inspire the Sikh Foundation’s mission today.
Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany
Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany, celebrated worldwide as the “Father of Fiber Optics,” championed the belief that “on the threshold of the twenty-first century, it is the destiny of the Sikh people to be a thriving and contributing international community.” He urged Sikhs to draw inspiration from the Gurus’ teachings and sacrifices, equipping future generations to be both good Sikhs and engaged members of society, while sharing their heritage without chauvinism. “The wisdom, philosophy, and arts of the Sikh faith belong to the world,” he said, “and it is time now to bring them into the light.”
Together, they assembled the world-renowned Kapany Collection of Sikh art and built a lasting legacy of innovation, service, and cultural preservation. Today, that vision lives on through their daughter, Kiran Kiki Kapany, who leads the Foundation with the same spirit that built it, while her brother, Raj Kapany, continues to watch over its legacy as an Emeritus Trustee.
To learn more about the Foundation’s work, visit sikhfoundation.org.
All images and text © The Sikh Foundation International. Please contact us for permission before reproducing. Contact the Foundation