ramkali

Sat Naam I just read the post earlier on where you were asking about where to learn kirtan from. In the Midlands, Bhai Harjinder Singh Lallie teaches taanti saaj, you can see their website: www.gurmatsangeet.org Raj Academy's Ranbir Singh teaches all over the midlands, see www.rajacademy.com. They also have a webschool where you learn gurmat sangeet and obtain 'Grades' at the same time.

I would like to add one more thing to this... I think this suggestion about using the books and listening to the recordings of these great masters is very important, but please please please please do your own research and check out whether the shabad that they are singing is meant to be sung in the raag that they have chosen to sing in. Just go to your Guru and read the title of the shabad, and it will tell you the raag of the shabad, the author, whether it is partaal or a chhunt, etc. If it is being sung as it has been written by Guru, then carry on, if not, keep searching to find something recorded in title raag. The impact that this will have on your mind is phenomenal. To sing only the shabads that the Gurus selected for you...its a blessing!

Waheguru! To read that you would like to learn Nirdharat Raag has really made my day! Personally, I think that the most important thing is to sing the Bani correctly as prescribed. Your main instrument is your voice, that is where your emotion should come from. The reason why taanti saaj are used is because of their ability to mimic the voice. A cry, a sigh, a boom; all can be expressed on a stringed instrument, whereas a vaja cannot do this because its just one note played at a time. Learning vaja first is ok because you learn sur-gian, but please be warned that to play on a vaja for too long will limit your singing ability as there is a danger that you will sing notes in a restricted manner as the vaja keys. And this is important for a Ragi because raag is all about expression and your voice needs to express your mood well. A Dilruba/sarangi is freedom. It assists your voice rather than leading it. And the sooner you begin your journey on Dilruba, the sooner you will find your way with it. You're warriors, so don't fear Guru's instruments, pick up your saaj and master it!

On Sunday the 25th of May, Thames Valley University contributed to a historic event which took place at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Southall to commemorate the unique contribution of the fourth Guru to the heritage of Sikh music. The ‘Partaal Darbar’ was an afternoon of mystical sounds played in varying rhythms; a style that is not heard in today’s mainstream devotional Sikh arena. The congregation was filled with curious ears and with Sikhs who had never seen the instruments that were created by their Gurus. Many well known faces of the community also attended to witness the launch and hear kirtan in the style of Partaal. The Darbar began with a Partaal recital in Rág Ramkali by students of Raj Academy. The students demonstrated how the poetic structure of Gurbani is intended to be sung and gave an example of the intricate fusion of 16, 12, and 14 beat taals within the shabad to complement the poetry. This was followed by Partaal kirtan by Professor Surinder Singh who sang a shabad in Rág Suhee which hit a note in everyone’s heart. He then went on to explain in detail the concept of Partaal and why we as Sikhs must continue to preserve this tradition. He finished with a Partaal in Rág Dhanasri – the carefree nature of this rág charmed the sangat to sing along. The event came to a close with the official release of ‘Partaal – the Rhythms of Life’ CD and DVD set. This educational album by Professor Surinder Singh aims to get every household singing in the ancient Sikh style and comes with a booklet containing detailed information of Partaal and the history of Sikh music, which can help inspire the entire family. One member of the gathering observed: “I had no idea that this type of music existed, nor that my forefathers were so musically gifted”. “A little symbol of a big venture” Lawrie Walker of Thames Valley University. The event had two goals; to educate the community about their Sikh history, and to launch Raj Academy’s third CD. ‘Partaal’ is preceded by two award-winning albums that contain music that was written and prescribed by the Sikh Gurus. The album was officially launched by Lawrie Walker of Thames Valley University and Dr. Parvinder Singh Garcha general secretary of Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in the presence of Professor Surinder Singh and many dignitaries present from local academia and professional groups such as Peter Rudnick of Thames Valley University; Sarabjit Singh Gupta the Chairman of Duncan and Lewis; Ravinder Singh Khera of the Sant Singh Maskeen Trust UK; Tej Kaur Grewal, Tejinder Singh Samra & Bahadur Singh Kalha of Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara; international journalist Nirpal Singh Shergill and Bob Singh of Chess International. Dr. Garcha commented, “Professor Surinder has changed the face of our future with his great contribution and hard work in the community to revive and maintain Sikh heritage, we wish him further success for all his upcoming projects“. The response from all who had attended highlighted the individuality and unique content of this valuable CD set. It was understood and recognised that no such event has ever been made before in all of Sikh history, and that this is the first attempt in history to preserve the concept of Partaal.

Dear Sangat Ji This event is on 25th May, and is part of the ongoing celebrations of the tercentennary Gurgaddi Divas Celebrations. Partaal is a musical term founded by Guru Ram Das ji. It is not found in Indian classical music; it is a Sikh Concept. This event celebrates our rich heritage, and pays homage to our living Guru and its sacred Word.

http://www.indiaprofile.com/ayurveda/musictherapy.htm Do you think that Raags are more than just a bunch of notes that make a melody? Do you think that Guru Arjan Dev Ji's Raag Majh can heal us somehow?