GURMAT SANGEET MUSICAL ACADEMY

Kirtan is a powerful musical medium, enabling us to connect with the Guru, inner divinity and to each other. Music is at the heart of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh scriptures) and the Gurmat Sangeet genre of kirtan honours the legacy of our Gurus and their musical expertise. The Gurus used raag and taal (rhythm) to manifest the emotional complexity of Gurbani (Guru’s scriptures), helping us to connect with and understand their message. We are passionate about sustaining Gurmat Sangeet heritage by engaging students with its history, characteristics and developing their musical skills in this genre. As well as teaching we host workshops, give talks and seminars and are involved in a number of projects helping the public experience and appreciate Gurmat Sangeet and Gurbani based raags.

instruments

In Gurmat Sangeet, alongwith singing tradition of Shabad keertan, an instrumental tradition is also in vogue. Guru Nanak Dev ji, the founder of Sikhism initiated his teachings with Shabad Kirtan¹ presentations, with the accompaniment of rabab by Bhai Mardana Ji. During the tenure of all successor Gurus, various instruments became an integral part of Gurmat Sangeet tradition. Which include Stringed instruments like Rabab², Saranda³, Taus⁴, Dilruba⁵, Israj⁶, Tamboora⁷, percussion instruments like Mridang⁸, Pakhawaj⁹ etc; and modern instrument like Harmonium¹⁰, Tabla¹¹ etc are also being used in this tradition.