Gurmat sangeet extravaganza at PJ

Petaling Jaya, Malaysia | Asia Samachar | 6 June 2015

There are 31 raags in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS). You have a chance to listen to them at a three-day Gurmat sangeet extravaganza in Petaling Jaya. And to those who want to explore deeper, there is a chance to attend a workshop.

The Gurmat Sangeet Raag Darbar, from June 12-14, will also provide a chance to get up close to an expert in rebab, the instrument used by Bhai Mardana, the companion of Guru Nanak.

The raag darbar, to be held at Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya, will also feature experts in other stringed instruments like taus and dilruba.

Raags are peculiar singing styles and definitive musical signs that is a must for any kirtankaar (one who does kirtan). Aside from a a small portion, the majority of the shabads in the SGGS are arranged according to various raags, which include asa, bhairon, dhanasri, jaitsri, ramkali, sorath and vadahans.

The programme will feature raag kirtan foremost exponent Bhai Gurmeet Singh Shaant, who is a hazoori raagi (resident raagi) at Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, and Dr Alankar Singh from Punjabi University, Patiala. There will also be renowned rebab player Prof Satnam Singh and tabla expert Ustad Anikbar Singh.

Joining them is Ustad Sukhwant Singh, who had coached famous singers like Ishmeet Singh and Devinderpal Singh. He had also trained many kirtanis in classical raags as per SGGS and played an important role in revival of stringed instruments, some of which were invented by the Sikh Gurus.

Bhai Siripal Singh, the renowed taus and dilruba exponent, currently serving as hazoori ragi at Darbar Sahib Amritsar, will also be among the experts performing at the raag darbar. His jatha (group) does kirtan exclusively with stringed instruments.

Among the local kirtanis at the event are Gurmukh Singh, Tirlochan Singh, Balvinder Singh and talented students of the SGGS Ji Gurmat Sangeet Academy like Bibi Kamaljeet Kaur, Akaljoth Singh and Anandpur Sahib Taanti Saaj Jatha.

There will also be a workshop on June 13 at the same gurdwara for those interested to learn more about the instruments and Gurmat Sangeet.

The programme is jointly organised by the Guru Nanak Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, GS Petaling Jaya, Petaling Jaya Naujawans, SGGS Ji Gurmat Sangeet Academy, Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia and Baba Sucha Singh Gurmat Sangeet Academy (Amritsar).