A celebration of Gurmat Sangeet in Kolkata

On Saturday, Satnam Singh Ahluwalia, hosted an evening of Gurmat Sangeet, titled Gurmat Raag Darbar. The event served as a celebration of the exquisite artistry of Sikh Musicology, showcasing the traditional Raags of Gurmat Sangeet. It was an evening that touched the hearts of all attendees, leaving them immersed in the divine essence of soul-stirring music.

Gurmat Sangeet is a unique musical tradition which is five centuries old. Sri Guru Nanak Devji the founder of Sikhism, and the first Sikh Guru began the tradition along with Bhai Mardana traveling around Asia and the Middle East spreading the divine message of one loving God. The tradition was continued and refined by every Sikh Guru till the tenth Sikh Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji. With Gurmat Sangeet, the divine message is communicated through Shabad (hymn/s, religious messages or poems), Kirtan (Sikh devotional music). Shabad Kirtan has become an inseparable part of the Sikh way of life. The Kirtan Chauki tradition that has been in vogue in the Gurdwaras for centuries and the Kirtan tradition as practiced on special occasions is an extended form of this tradition.

This practical Kirtan tradition is in accordance with the Shabad Guru of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The Bani of the Granth Sahib, written and indexed according to the prescribed Raagas, singing forms, music signs/headings and the other guidelines issued in the Bani, creates an original and specific musicology. A scientific approach to music can help in recognising more explicitly the musical tradition according to the Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Granth Sahib Ji, is composed in and divided into a total of 60 ragas. This is a combination of 31 single raags and 29 mixed (mishrit) raags (a raga composed by combining two or three raags together).

Pics: Anindya Saha
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