Rāgs of Guru Teg Bahadar Sahib

This album is dedicated to 400th Prakash Purab of Guru Teg Bahadar Sahib. The album contains 17 Sabads of Guru Teg Bahadar Sahib sung in 17 Rags based on centuries old tradition of Sikh Kirtan. These Sabads (hymns) were recorded based on the age-old tradition of doing Sikh Kirtan, wherein the artists have sung Sabads from Guru Granth sahib with accompaniment of centuries old percussion instrument - Pakhawaj - and string instruments - Taus, Sarangi, Rabãb, Dilruba and Tanpura. 

Album Contributors

The NMI team worked with accomplished musicians across the globe to complete this project.

Listeners' Feedback:

“The impeccably produced recordings are clearly a labor of love and are infused with the passion that the entire team at the Nãd Music Institute has for the musical traditions of the Sikh faith.”, quoted Sarbpreet Singh (Writer and Podcaster, Boston, USA).

“The Guru’s message is not for just listening and learning but also for meditating, and that has been made possible by the young voices presenting his teachings in the traditional Gurmat Sangit genre” mentioned Manmeet Singh, Filmmaker and Musician from Maryland (USA).

Manpreet Kaur from California commented, “Each Sabad composition and its singers are truly unique. We are so glad to be part of this group to have access to this musical Sabad Kirtan journey. This feeling is too good for words”.

Rāgs of Guru Teg Bahadar Sahib

Nad Music Institute released the Sabad Kirtan album – “Rags of Guru Teg Bahadar Sahib” on May 1, 2021. This album celebrates the 400th Prakash Purab of Guru Teg Bahadar Sahib, 9th Guru of the Sikhs.  

Album highlights:

1. 17 Sabads of Guru Teg Bahadar Sahib sung in 17 Rags.

2. Compositions based on centuries old tradition of Sikh Kirtan.

3. Sabads sung with accompaniment of centuries old percussion instrument -  Pakhawaj - and string instruments - Taus, Sarangi, Rabãb, Dilruba and Tanpura. 

4. More than 50% of Sabads recorded by female vocalists

Note

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Listeners' Experience

Sarbpreet Singh (Writer and Podcaster, Boston, USA, quoted - “The impeccably produced recordings are clearly a labor of love and are infused with the passion that the entire team at the Nãd Music Institute has for the musical traditions of the Sikh faith.”

Manmeet Singh, Filmmaker and Musician from Maryland (USA), mentioned - “The Guru’s message is not for just listening and learning but also for meditating, and that has been made possible by the young voices presenting his teachings in the traditional Gurmat Sangit genre.”

Dr. Manjit Singh, Founder of Nãd Music Institute shared his views on the project mentioned “We are trying to preserve the originality of the Sikh Kirtan by recording the Sabad compositions on Guru Teg Bahadar Sahib’s favorite instrument – Pakhawaj. Moreover, the use of string instruments has further expanded the melodiousness of the Sabads.”

Below are the brief biographies:

🔹 Avtar Kaur - Hailing from "Shrutinandan", India's finest institute of Indian classical music, Avtar Kaur’s dynamic singing style in her unique voice texture imparts the true essence of Indian classical music. This acknowledges the training she got from her Guru, Pt. Ajoy Chakarborty.

🔹 Jasnoor Kaur - Jasnoor Kaur’s ambition is to devote her life to music and promote Sabad Kirtan written in Guru Granth Sahib. She wants to carry her music passion throughout her life, serving people spiritually and using music as a tool to heal.

🔹 Gurdev Kaur – Gurdev Kaur started learning Indian classical music and Sabad Kirtan from Avtar Kaur from a young age. We are grateful to have her part of this project as our youngest Kirtania.

🔹 Prof. Harbhajan Singh - Prof. Harbhajan Singh is an expert percussionist and has developed a deep understanding of Indian classical and folk music traditions under the guidance of Ustad Lachhman Singh Seen in the last thirty years.

🔹 Dr. Manjit Singh - Dr. Manjit Singh is a student of traditional forms of Indian classical music including Dhrupad, Khyal and Gurbani Kirtan. He teaches vocal as well as instrumental Sikh Music to students of all ages across North America. He holds a PhD in Acoustics and Masters degree in Gurmat Sangit. 

🔹 Prabhmeet Singh - Prabhmeet Singh has been learning Dilruba, Taus and vocal from Ustad Surjeet Singh and Dr. Manjit Singh. He holds a special interest in listening to Dhadhi’s (traditional Sikh Bards) and wants to preserve Gurbani Kirtan and Dhadhi forms.

Surjeet Singh

🔹 Ustad Surjeet Singh - As a Senior Advisor at Nad Music Institute, Ustad Surjeet Singh is leading sarangi player and a senior disciple of Pandit Ram Narayan. He has led several workshops, camps and has taught students of all age groups across the globe. Ustad Surjeet Singh has played extensively across the world at various important festivals giving solo recitals.

🔹 Amandeep Singh - An Assistant Professor in the Department of Gurmat Sangeet, Punjabi University, Amandeep Singh has contributed to revive traditional Sikh string instruments in the field of Hindustani sangeet as well as Gurmat sangeet.

🔹 Jaita Singh - Jaita Singh started his music career as a rabab player in 2011 and continues to learn from legendary Amjad Ali Khan. Jaita Singh has also studied tabla under the guidance of Pandit Ramakant Ji. He’s performed in concerts worldwide from India to New Zealand.

🔹 Jatinderpal Singh - Jatinderpal Singh took advance training of Pakhawaj under the tutelage of the world renowned tabla player, Ustad Allah Rakha Khan Sahib. He also took four years of tabla training under Pandit Ramakant Ji.

The Press Releases for this event are available on following links:

Sikhnet Website: https://www.sikhnet.com/news/release-sabad-kirtan-album-%E2%80%93-r%C3%A3gs-guru-teg-bahadar-sahib

Sanjha TV Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCQYo3UlgkI&t=1911s

PTC USA News: https://fb.watch/5XRhC9jP-y/