Sunny Dua
Sikh sacred music, known as Kirtan, holds profound significance in the Sikh faith, deeply rooted in its origins from the 15th century. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru, cherished Kirtan as a means of spiritual expression and connection with the divine. During his travels (Udasis), Guru Nanak Dev Ji sang Shabads-sacred hymns-while Bhai Mardana accompanied him on the rabab, a traditional stringed instrument. This partnership between Guru Nanak’s divine voice and the melodic rabab laid the foundation for Sikhism’s unique musical heritage.
The rabab, also known as the Firandia Rabab after its creator Bhai Firanda, is central to the Gurmat Sangeet tradition, which emphasizes the use of stringed instruments in Kirtan. It is believed that Bebe Nanaki, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s sister, gifted him this rabab, marking the beginning of the Sikh Rababi (Kirtanee) tradition. This tradition reveres instruments like the Rabab, Saranda, and Taus, which are essential to the authentic and devotional performance of Sikh hymns.
Historically, Kirtan was performed using Tanti Saaz (string instruments), but over the past 150 years, these instruments were largely replaced by the harmonium. However, there is a growing movement within Sikhism to revive this traditional practice by encouraging the use of stringed instruments in performing Kirtan, particularly in Gurudwaras. This return to the roots of Sikh musical heritage not only honors the legacy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Bhai Mardana but also preserves the rich spiritual and cultural essence of Sikhism through its sacred music.
Kirtan, the devotional singing of scriptures from the Shri Guru Granth Sahib, has undergone a remarkable revival in recent years. While for over a century, the tradition had shifted to the use of the harmonium (Vaja) and tabla (Jodi), many Ragi Jhathas-Sikh hymn singers-have returned to performing Kirtan with traditional musical instruments. This restoration has not only enhanced the melodic beauty of Kirtan but also revived the sanctity of an age-old tradition, deeply rooted in Sikhism’s origins.
Over time, these traditional instruments, including the Dilruba, Saranda, Taus, Israj, and Sarangi, became integral to the Gurmat Sangeet tradition. However, the widespread adoption of the harmonium over the last 150 years led to a decline in the use of these sacred instruments. Very recently, in a historic development, Sikh Kirtan has now been officially recognized as part of the graded music examination system in the United Kingdom.
Students who attain grades 6 to 8 in Kirtan can now earn university entrance points-a significant achievement that reflects the growing recognition of Sikh sacred music on a global scale. The exams, which are available online, are open to pupils across the world. Schools in India and the United States have already shown interest in submitting students, signalling a resurgence in the global study and practice of Gurmat music.
This initiative, spearheaded by the London-based Music Education Board, has also integrated five key traditional Sikh instruments-Dilruba, Saranda, Taus, Israj, and Sarangi-into the grade eight-level music examination system. This development encourages not only students in the UK but also those in any part of the world to study and master the sacred musical heritage of Sikhism. The international availability of these exams marks a monumental step in preserving and promoting the spiritual and cultural essence of Sikh Kirtan for future generations.
The Dilruba, Sarinda, Taus, Esraj, and Sarangi are all traditional bowed string instruments from India, each with distinct features yet closely related in their design and sound. The Dilruba, a variant of the Sitar, has a square resonance box, while the Sarinda is carved from a single wooden block, with two steel and one gut string alongside 36 sympathetic strings. The Taus, shaped like a peacock, shares origins with the veena, and the Esraj, a modern variant of the Dilruba, plays a prominent role in both classical and Sikh music. Meanwhile, the Sarangi, renowned for its ability to imitate vocal nuances, finds use in various folk music traditions across South Asia.
These instruments are deeply intertwined with Sikh Kirtan, a devotional form of music integral to Sikh worship. Historically, instruments like the Dilruba and Taus have been used to accompany Kirtan performances, adding rich, melodic layers to the recitation of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib. The bowed nature of these instruments, with their deep resonance and ability to mimic the human voice, aligns perfectly with the spiritual and meditative qualities of Kirtan, creating an immersive atmosphere for devotion and reflection.
The inclusion of Kirtan in the formal curriculum is a monumental achievement, especially for the global Sikh community, marking a significant step towards diversifying music education and preserving Sikh musical traditions for future generations.
This achievement, spearheaded by Birmingham-based musician and academic S. Harjinder Singh, is the result of a ten-year struggle to have Sikh Kirtan acknowledged alongside Western classical music. Singh, who started learning Kirtan at the age of six, founded the Gurmat Sangeet Academy to teach young people traditional Indian string instruments like the Dilruba, Taus, Saranda, and Sarangi. To celebrate their achievement, his academy had also launched an event at the Guru Nanak Guruwara in Smethik, Monica Plahato mark the occasion.
It took Harjinder Singh ten hard years of work to get the curriculum accepted and launched. It is deeply humbling but filled him with pride that all that hard work has now paid off. This recognition allows students to gain UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) points – a system used by the Universities to translate a student’s qualifications and grades into a numerical value. This value is then used by universities to assess whether a student meets the entry requirements for a course.
Singh’s efforts to preserve traditional Sikh music have garnered widespread appreciation. Kirtan in Sikh history has been the musical analog of Kathas recitation, both preferably performed by ragi jatha, or professional trained performers. A Sikh Kirtan is a religious, aesthetic and social event, usually held in a congregational setting or over certain festivals to honor the historical Gurus, but major Gurdwaras in the Sikh tradition recite Kirtan every day as a mark of daily bhakti (devotional remembrance) of God’s name.
A music examination in Sikh sacred music, thought to be the first of its kind, will now be launched in the UK in a move described as an “important step” in diversifying music education. The examination, introduced by the MusicTeachers’ Board (MTB) will see the music known as Kirtan become part of the universal eight grade examination system.
Bhai Meharban Singh, HazzoriKirtaniya and Rababi, Shri Darbar Sahib when contacted said, “It is a matter of great joy and victory that Harjinder Singh Lali Ji has elevated the service assigned by the Guru to new heights, ensuring that now not only Sikhs, but children of other religions as well, will learn and understand Gurmat Sangeet. The high and pure status ofGurmat Sangeet will be further strengthened with this achievement, allowing it to flourish and reach new heights globally”.
Bhai Meharban Singh goes on to add that the tradition of string instruments, such as the Rabab and other Tanti Saaz, which have been integral to Gurmat Sangeet since the time of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and were historically played by Bhai Mardana Ji, will now thrive in the UK as well. These instruments, which are a vital part of the Sikh musical heritage, were introduced to convey the spiritual teachings of the Gurus and have been used for centuries to elevate the soul through divine music.
“I, too, strive to share this divine gift of Kirtan bestowed by Maharaj and continue serving by keeping the tradition of these string instruments alive. With this accomplishment, the foundation of Gurmat Sangeet will gain more strength, and this tree of heritage will reach even greater heights. Heartfelt congratulations to all the dedicated brothers and sisters who have been tirelessly working for years to preserve this tradition”, he said.
In an interview with the BBC, Harjinder Singh too had noted, “For a Western audience to appreciate that Sikh Kirtan is no less than the violin, piano, or any other Western contemporary music genre is a huge step forward.” His passion for Sikh sacred music was nurtured from a young age, when he learned his first Shabad from his mother and later trained under Professor Santokh Singh, a local granthi. He went on to tell the BBC that during that time not much Ragis used to come to UK to recite Kirtan due to which anyone having any interest in the Kirtan could do much about it.
A video of Harjinder Singh speaking to a journalist reveal that despite the limited number of Ragi Jathas (Kirtan performers) visiting the UK at the time, Harjinder’s early dedication to mastering this art has paved the way for future generations of Sikh musicians to be recognized on a global platform. What he couldn’t get during his early age he has secured that for new generation of music learners especially those into Shabd-Kirtan. The formal recognition of Kirtan as part of the UK’s eight-grade examination system has the potential to inspire students worldwide.
Schools in India and the United States have already shown interest in incorporating the curriculum, allowing Sikh students globally to be formally assessed in this spiritual musical tradition. Students like 13-year-old Nanaki, Harjinder Singh’s daughter in an interview said and I quote, “I express pride in their ability to carry on the legacy of Kirtan. “I love playing it and hearing it. It feels like I have a higher purpose now,” she shared in an interview with BBC Midlands Today.
With the inclusion of Kirtan in UK curriculum students who used to focus on other instruments like Violin or Guitar will now get inclined to go to the Gurdwara to play and learn traditional Sikh music, because it has also been formally graded. Now, for young people, they can include Sikh Kirtan in their education and use it to gain university points. This is going to be an added advantage for students who want to learn and recite Kirtan as a formal education programme.
The curriculum also emphasizes a return to traditional Sikh instruments, which had been gradually replaced by the harmonium over the last 150 years. Dr.Harjinder Singh Lallie noted the importance of this shift, saying, “The curriculum requires candidates to perform Kirtan using stringed instruments, reconnecting with the traditional roots of Sikh sacred music.”Kanwal Singh, a Jammu based Sikh scholar and columnist when contacted said, “The introduction of a globally recognized examination for Sikh sacred music is a landmark moment for our community and the world of music education”.
Kanwal said, “this initiative not only preserves the rich heritage of Gurmat Sangeet but also accords it the respect and recognition it deserves on a global platform. For centuries, Kirtan has been at the heart of Sikh spiritual practice, embodying the teachings and essence of our faith. The tradition of string instruments such as the Rabab, Sarangi, Dilruba, and other Tanti Saaz-historically played since the time of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and by Bhai Mardana Ji-will now thrive in the UK as well”.
He added, “the Sikh Gurus themselves contributed to this rich musical legacy by inventing various instruments, including the Taus, a peacock-shaped string instrument created by the Sixth Sikh Guru, Hargobind Sahib Ji. These instruments are integral to Sikh musical heritage, introduced to convey the spiritual teachings of the Gurus, and have been used for centuries to elevate the soul through divine music”.
Having this musical tradition formally recognized alongside other classical genres represents a significant step in ensuring that our rich musical heritage is valued, studied, and passed on to future generations. This initiative acknowledges the complexity and depth of Kirtan, aligning it with rigorous academic standards and highlighting its universal relevance, he added.
The success of Harjinder Singh and the Gurmat Sangeet Academy exemplifies how tireless dedication and cultural pride can bridge traditions and bring recognition to diverse forms of art.For Sikh students around the world, this development is not just about gaining university points. It’s about connecting with their heritage, preserving their musical traditions, and ensuring that Sikh Kirtan holds its rightful place on the global stage.
Harjinder Singh has established the Gurmat Sangeet Academy across the Midlands to train the next generation of Sikh classical musicians, with a focus on traditional instruments like the sarangi. With 130 students, the academy offers certifications not only in Kirtan recitation but also in playing historic instruments such as the Dilruba, Saranda, Taus, Israj, and Sarangi. This achievement reflects the growing recognition of Sikh sacred music, ensuring that students now receive formal certification in these unique skills, much like those studying Western classical instruments.
The UK Sikh community, especially institutions like Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall and the Gurmat Sangeet Academy, deserves immense credit for this accomplishment. Birmingham-based musician and academic Harjinder Lallie has devoted years to advocating for Kirtan’s rightful place in global music education, working closely with the South Asian Music Committee. Their collaboration with the Music Teachers’ Board (MTB) led to the official recognition of Kirtan as “Sikh Sacred Music,” a significant step in preserving and promoting traditional Sikh musical heritage.
(The author is a senior journalist)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
