String instruments at 1st Malaysia-Singapore Raag Darbar

| Rajeshpal Singh Khalsa | Singapore | 10 Feb 2016 | Asia Samachar | 

On 7-8 February more than 40 Sikh Music Jathas (groups) gathered at Silat Road Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) for the ‘1st Malaysia-Singapore Raag Darbar’.

The two-day event showcased the talent across both countries as students as young as eight years to 50 years participated in a repertoire of pure and music raags sung in Sikh music tradition.

From Guru Nanak’s raag tukhari to Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Raag Jaijaiwanti to Guru Ram Das’s Partaal style of singing, the event was a feast of kirtan , raags, insturmentals and music.

Sikh string music instruments were also used widely from the rebab, to esraj , to taus and dilruba.

SEE ALSO: 43 kirtan groups to pep up historic Malaysia-Singapore raag darbar

The event was a significant milestone for Gurmat sangeet promotion efforts by both Malaysian and Singaporean Sikh institutions. A Punjabi folk music night was also organised to showcase the traditional music styles of the Punjab, some of which are also referred to in Guru Granth Sahib.

Participating in the event was also renowned Sikh musicians such as Principal Sukhwant Singh , Anikbar Singh and Gurmukh Singh.

“This talent must be further groomed and nurtured so that the beauty of Sikh music or Gurmat Sangeet can be shared with all not just in Singapore but to the region. We look forward to next year’s event and other Gurmat sangeet promotion efforts to take the mission forward,” said an official of Singapore’s Sikh Centre.

The event was jointly organised by the Central Sikh Gurdwara Board, Singapore (CSGB), SGGS Ji Gurmat Sangeet Academy (Malaysia) , Petaling Jaya Naujawans and Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM).

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