The Treasure of Gurbani Sangeet

In 2011 there was a story in the news from Kerala that spread quickly all over the world. Jewelry, gemstones, gold, silver and coins worth billions of dollars had been found in vaults below a Hindu temple. For centuries devotees had brought offerings and the collection grew and grew. One family faithfully safeguarded the treasury through the many cultural and political upheavals and now the government of India had decided to intervene. The many rare artifacts, including an eighteen-foot gold chain that weighs more than ten pounds, would challenge the team assembled to assess their worth.

It is amazing to imagine how this could happen. Swarms of ordinary people walking around doing ordinary things, taking care of the necessities of life, doing business, practicing rituals and ceremonies, never realizing that beneath their feet was a huge fortune that had been carefully collected and maintained by those who had the foresight to protect it. However, no one was actually benefitting from the wealth and the vaults had not been opened for over one hundred years.

The story of this tangible treasure is not unlike the story of the intangible treasure. How many people are even aware of the heritage that exists, where to find it, who knows about it, why it is valuable? How long has it been since the ordinary people have had a chance to see the riches for themselves? For the few that know about it, is it enough to preserve it under lock and key, or is the intangible heritage for enjoying, engaging and enriching? How many are aware that something as magnificent as an eighteen-foot gold chain is even possible? The tradition of Gurbani Sangeet is like this, a treasure trove of musical compositions, knowledge and surprising artistry, collected in the past by wise ones and saints, preserved by devotees through the centuries, an inheritance waiting to be discovered and enjoyed by the seekers of today and tomorrow.

The Gurbandi Sangeet Tradition

Siri Guru Granth Sahib reveals the path of Guru Nanak, a journey toward the Infinite One. Written in raga, the words of Guru Bani are intended to be sung. Melodies from the Gurus’ court and the Gurus’ times from the 15th to 18th centuries have been passed down through the oral tradition of Gurbani Sangeet, ensuring their preservation for future generations of seekers.

Gurbani Sangeet is a unique style that fuses words, music, rhythm and expression to convey spiritual meaning and experience. This music has been remembered by devoted kirtanyas who preserved and practiced with integrity and careful attention to the nuances of the repertoire, passing the memory over the centuries from one generation to the next.

The poetic compositions of Siri Guru Granth Sahib are set under the headings of 31 ragas and their variants, in the poetic metres and literary structures prevalent at that time in North India such as shloka, chant, pauri and ashtapadi. Musical forms from the folk traditions are also included such as anjali, alahniya, sudd, and var. The memory of the Gurbani Sangeet tradition includes the style of singing, the crafting and playing of the string and percussion instruments originally used, the educative process designed to sustain the practice throughout the passage of time, and meditative reflection on the original intent of kirtan as songs of praise, devotional worship, love and communion with the divine.

Sikh history both ancient and recent has been wrought with challenges that have threatened the survival of this knowledge. The old past brought wars and conquests from outside and the upheaval of partition in 1947. The recent past has brought modern invention, relative comfort and prosperity, and globalization, which add new challenges to the memory of what has come before.

The modern day musical marketplace has popularized Sikh devotional music sung in more current styles. Even some kirtan styles that still adhere to a classical raga and tal structure have conformed to popular musical tastes, or have been influenced by various Indian musical styles. The dedication and labors of great kirtaniyas past and present who remained steadfastly centered on the practice of Gurubani Sangeet have ensured and will continue to ensure that the ancient knowledge will not be forgotten.

Bhai Baldeep Singh

Bhai Baldeep Singh is an artist and mystic studying the deeper mysteries of naad or svar, — the sacredness of sound. He has dedicated his energies to the rich cultural heritage traditions of the Indian subcontinent. Through thirteen generations of oral tradition his family has carefully carried a vast repertoire of Sikh hymns from the Guru times. Bhai Baldeep has extended this memory through his extensive research and travels, seeking out the elders in remote villages to collect and compile all the fragments that remain. Recognizing the importance of preserving the musical traditions within the context of the entire cultural heritage from which they evolved, Bhai Baldeep has reached out across continental, national, ethnic, religious and intellectual boundaries, learning and sharing with all who are interested in participating in the conversation.

He received instruction in the vocal repertoire of Sikh kirtan, as well as the original string and percussion instruments, from his Grand Uncles Bhai Gurucharan Singh and the late Bhai Avtar Singh. He continued his vocal training in the ancient Dhrupad style with the late Ustad Fahimuddin Dagar. From the highly distinguished and eminent Bhai Arjan Singh ‘Tarangar’, he learned the system (silsila) of pakhawaj/mridang playing known as Amritsari Baaj. Today, Bhai Baldeep Singh is the prime exponent (khalifa) of this gharana of classical percussions of Punjab.

Since 1988, Bhai Baldeep Singh has inspired people around the world to take up the musical instruments of the gurus’ court. Many institutions around the world now include the playing of some of these instruments as a part of their curriculum. He personally sought out and learned the art of luthiery from the late Bhai Harbhajan Singh and has handcrafted several near-extinct instruments. Today, he has the unique distinction of having carved the nomadic rabab (also known as the dhrupadi-rabab), saranda, taus, dilruba, tamburni (tanpura), jori and pakhawaj – mridang. In January 2002, he made a violin based on the Stradivari violin in Spring City, Utah (USA), under the guidance of his friend Paul Hart, a renowned bowed instrument maker. He has designed four new bows for the taus, which have been handcrafted by Allan Herou in Paris (2003) and Nicola Galliena in Milan (January and March 2007, January 2008).

Disseminating the old knowledge has been a high priority in this work and Bhai Baldeep built a recording studio where he has produced cd collections, films and multi-media programs. His 8-hour long audio-visual presentation on the instruments of kirtan has received rave reviews at some of the leading universities as well as other venues around the world. His tireless efforts and unwavering commitment have led to an astounding collection of over 400 hours’ recording of vintage-value music, ranging from folk to Indian classical and kirtan, a rare treasure that is with him now
Cultural preservation must include education. Bhai Baldeep Singh has developed a unique and comprehensive educative process based on the original practices of naad yoga and the ancient modes of teaching in the oral tradition. He has taught aspiring instrumentalists and vocalists in Asia, Europe, Australia and North America. He founded the Anad Conservatory in Sultanpur Lodhi, an institution to expand and continue the work of training musicians, instrument makers, and to cultivate other arts, crafts and cultural traditions.

Bhai Baldeep Singh, being an accomplished musician and kirtaniya, is also a sensitive interpreter of the needs of a cultural transformation and rejuvenation, devoted to preserving traditional cultures and humane values. He has produced several concert series, lectures, events, seminars, and awards ceremonies to bring together the artists and scholars who contribute to the collective cultural memory. Bhai Baldeep has served on many boards and committees for the advancement of culture including The Anad Foundation, The Khalsa Heritage Complex and the National Sangeet Natak Akademi. In order to further the cause of historical and cultural preservation, Bhai Baldeep Singh also works in the political arena.