Gurmat Sangeet
Encyclopedia
Gurmat Sangeet is the art and science of singing and playing the hymns of the sacred scripture Siri Guru Granth Sahib in the prescribed Rāga
, and with the original string instruments created and promoted by the Sikh
Gurus in the historic times. These instruments are: Rabaab, Saranda, Jori, Sarangi
, Dilruba, and Taus.
Siri Guru Granth Sahib
is the holy scripture of Sikh Dharma. It consists of shabads (hymns) composed by 40 enlightened masters, six of the ten Sikh Gurus among them. With the exception of the first prayer "Jap" (also known as "Japji Sahib
"), the titles of all hymns give the rág in which the hymn is to be sung. The scripture was first compiled in 1604 by Guru Arjan, the fifth Guru of the Sikh lineage, who elaborated the rág system applied therein.
A rág is a framework comprising a specifically designed scale of notes with affiliated rules. Any song composed according to this framework will evoke a mood in listener and performer which is characteristic for this rág. This effect can be used very efficiently for healing purposes. The word rág translates as "mood".
The philosophy of the Sikh Gurus describes the concept of a positive entity and a negative entity within humans. The Sikh philosophy names these entities as the mun (mind) and the atma (conscience or soul). Whereas the mind represents the selfish and impatient side of an individual, the soul represents the honest and sincere side. It is central to the belief of the Sikhs that all humans have these two sides to their character, and that both sides are equally important for understanding oneself and becoming one with the creator.
The Shabads of the Sikh Gurus are examples and lessons for the mind and soul to dialogue with each other, so that they can work together rather than against each other. This is indicative of the thoughts, discussions and debates that everyone partakes in on a daily basis inside their head.
Much research has been done regarding the effects of music on one's emotional wellbeing. Thoughts, feelings and emotions are highly influenced by listening to music. The emotional experience derived from music has a powerful effect on the formation of one's moral and intellectual outlook.
"Music faces us with the realization that there are two worlds: the inner and the outer. The inner is often incommunicable, a spiritual world which is difficult to enter from the outer world where we normally speak to one another. Music is bridge for us." (Alfred Nieman
)
Music and psyche have been inherently linked in creation myths, obscure thought, legends, and now science. All intuit and theorize that the origin of the world/universe is in vibration, sound, or music. The human fetus floats in the fluid but static feminine, in which are present all of the primary elements of music. Psychologically, what does this mean? In the presence of certain music and composed feelings, a person can more fully explore the inner world with its archetypal and symbolic character.
The following is an excerpt by Guru Nanak Dev
Ji on page 6 of the holy scriptures of the Sikhs:
so dhar kaehaa so ghar kaehaa jith behi sarab samaalae ||
Where is that Gate, and where is that Dwelling, in which You sit and take care of all?
vaajae naadh anaek asa(n)khaa kaethae vaavanehaarae ||
The Sound-current of the Naad vibrates there, and countless musicians play on all sorts of instruments there.
kaethae raag paree sio keheean kaethae gaavanehaarae ||
So many Ragas, so many musicians singing there.
The following is an excerpt from a Shabad by Guru Ram Das
Ji in Rág Gauree Majh (page 174):
har a(n)thar vaajaa poun hai maerae govi(n)dhaa har aap vajaaeae thio vaajai jeeo ||
O Lord, the music of the praanic wind is deep within, O my Lord of the Universe;
as the Lord Himself plays this music, so does it vibrate and resound.
There are numerous references to Naad, vibration, sound and music by the Sikh Gurus in the Holy Scriptures.
Having realized the ability of music to inspire the listener and performer, the Sikh Gurus harnessed these effects of Raags to convey their teachings. In order for the message of the Shabad to remain as the Sikh Gurus intended, each Shabad has been set to a predefined raag, which is included in the title of the Shabad along with its author. Thus, when a Shabad is sung in its title raag, its true nature and feelings are conveyed. The title raag enhances our understanding of the Shabad by providing us with emotions that go along with the teaching in the particular shabad.
The Sikh Gurus use themes and emotions that all humanity can relate to, such as love, devotion, wisdom, pain, ambition, hope, friendship, desire, determination, ego, duty, liberation, regret, faith, and sadness. The Shabads thus encourage the realization of one's true self, regardless of race, gender or creed.
Raga
A raga is one of the melodic modes used in Indian classical music.It is a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is made...
, and with the original string instruments created and promoted by the Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
Gurus in the historic times. These instruments are: Rabaab, Saranda, Jori, Sarangi
Sarangi
The Sārangī is a bowed, short-necked string instrument of India which is originated from Rajasthani folk instruments. It plays an important role in India's Hindustani classical music tradition...
, Dilruba, and Taus.
Siri Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Granth Sahib
Sri Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Granth, is the religious text of Sikhism. It is the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
is the holy scripture of Sikh Dharma. It consists of shabads (hymns) composed by 40 enlightened masters, six of the ten Sikh Gurus among them. With the exception of the first prayer "Jap" (also known as "Japji Sahib
Japji Sahib
Japji is a universal song of God composed by Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of the Sikh faith.Japji Sahib consists of the Mool Mantra as the beginning followed by 38 hymns and a final Salok at the end of this composition. The Japji appears at the very beginning of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Book...
"), the titles of all hymns give the rág in which the hymn is to be sung. The scripture was first compiled in 1604 by Guru Arjan, the fifth Guru of the Sikh lineage, who elaborated the rág system applied therein.
A rág is a framework comprising a specifically designed scale of notes with affiliated rules. Any song composed according to this framework will evoke a mood in listener and performer which is characteristic for this rág. This effect can be used very efficiently for healing purposes. The word rág translates as "mood".
The philosophy of the Sikh Gurus describes the concept of a positive entity and a negative entity within humans. The Sikh philosophy names these entities as the mun (mind) and the atma (conscience or soul). Whereas the mind represents the selfish and impatient side of an individual, the soul represents the honest and sincere side. It is central to the belief of the Sikhs that all humans have these two sides to their character, and that both sides are equally important for understanding oneself and becoming one with the creator.
The Shabads of the Sikh Gurus are examples and lessons for the mind and soul to dialogue with each other, so that they can work together rather than against each other. This is indicative of the thoughts, discussions and debates that everyone partakes in on a daily basis inside their head.
Much research has been done regarding the effects of music on one's emotional wellbeing. Thoughts, feelings and emotions are highly influenced by listening to music. The emotional experience derived from music has a powerful effect on the formation of one's moral and intellectual outlook.
"Music faces us with the realization that there are two worlds: the inner and the outer. The inner is often incommunicable, a spiritual world which is difficult to enter from the outer world where we normally speak to one another. Music is bridge for us." (Alfred Nieman
Alfred Nieman
Alfred Nieman was a British pianist and composer.Born in the East End of London in 1914 to Polish immigrant parents, Alfred Nieman was playing piano for the silent cinema by the age of fourteen. His talent as a pianist was spotted and the result was that he won a piano scholarship to the Royal...
)
Music and psyche have been inherently linked in creation myths, obscure thought, legends, and now science. All intuit and theorize that the origin of the world/universe is in vibration, sound, or music. The human fetus floats in the fluid but static feminine, in which are present all of the primary elements of music. Psychologically, what does this mean? In the presence of certain music and composed feelings, a person can more fully explore the inner world with its archetypal and symbolic character.
The following is an excerpt by Guru Nanak Dev
Guru Nanak Dev
Guru Nanak was the founder of the religion of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. The Sikhs believe that all subsequent Gurus possessed Guru Nanak’s divinity and religious authority, and were named "Nanak" in the line of succession.-Early life:Guru Nanak was born on 15 April 1469, now...
Ji on page 6 of the holy scriptures of the Sikhs:
so dhar kaehaa so ghar kaehaa jith behi sarab samaalae ||
Where is that Gate, and where is that Dwelling, in which You sit and take care of all?
vaajae naadh anaek asa(n)khaa kaethae vaavanehaarae ||
The Sound-current of the Naad vibrates there, and countless musicians play on all sorts of instruments there.
kaethae raag paree sio keheean kaethae gaavanehaarae ||
So many Ragas, so many musicians singing there.
The following is an excerpt from a Shabad by Guru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das was the fourth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and was given the title of Sikh Guru on 30 August 1574.-Early life:Ram Das was born in Lahore, Punjab on 24 September 1534[1] to a Sodhi family of the Khatri clan. His father was Hari Das and his mother Anup Devi. His wife was Bibi Bhani,...
Ji in Rág Gauree Majh (page 174):
har a(n)thar vaajaa poun hai maerae govi(n)dhaa har aap vajaaeae thio vaajai jeeo ||
O Lord, the music of the praanic wind is deep within, O my Lord of the Universe;
as the Lord Himself plays this music, so does it vibrate and resound.
There are numerous references to Naad, vibration, sound and music by the Sikh Gurus in the Holy Scriptures.
Having realized the ability of music to inspire the listener and performer, the Sikh Gurus harnessed these effects of Raags to convey their teachings. In order for the message of the Shabad to remain as the Sikh Gurus intended, each Shabad has been set to a predefined raag, which is included in the title of the Shabad along with its author. Thus, when a Shabad is sung in its title raag, its true nature and feelings are conveyed. The title raag enhances our understanding of the Shabad by providing us with emotions that go along with the teaching in the particular shabad.
The Sikh Gurus use themes and emotions that all humanity can relate to, such as love, devotion, wisdom, pain, ambition, hope, friendship, desire, determination, ego, duty, liberation, regret, faith, and sadness. The Shabads thus encourage the realization of one's true self, regardless of race, gender or creed.
External links
- GurmatSangeet.org – A non-profit organization promoting Gurmat Sangeet, based in the Midlands, UK.
- iKirtan – Free distribution of Gurmat Sangeet Kirtan
- Gurmat Sangeet Group – Popular resource on Gurmat Sangeet