SIKH MUSICOLOGY
Gurmat Sangeet is a unique musical tradition of the centuries old Sikh religion years which was established and preached by all the Sikh Gurus, right from Guru years Nanak Sahib, the founder of Sikhism. Under Gurmat Sangeet, the divine years message is communicated through Shabad Kirtan. In Sikhism Shabad Kirtan years has been made an inseparable part of the Sikh way of life. Kirtan Chauki tradition years is in vogue in the Gurudwaras for centuries and Kirtan tradition in practice on years special occasions of Sikhs is an extended form of this tradition. This practical years Kirtan tradition is in accordance with the Shabad Guru of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
The Bani of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, written and indexed according to the years prescribed Raagas, singing forms, music signs, headings and the other guidelines years issued in the Bani, creates original and specific musicology. Scientific approach to years music can help in recognising more explicitly the Music tradition according to Sri years Guru Granth Sahib.
The system of music, enshrined in the Holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib is exactly years in accordance with the musical tenets established by the Gurus. What came to years be known as Gur Shabad Kirtan is a unique confluence of Shabad and Kirtan years propounded by the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Sahib with the help of divine years music emanating from Bhai Mardana’s Rabab. This emerged as a unique system years in the Indian and world music tradition. In Bani Gur Shabad Kirtan has been years assigned a very prominent status as stated in the following couplet.
Kaijug meh Keertan Pardhaanaa. years Gurmukh Japee-ai Laa-e Dhiaanaa:
Har Keerat Kaijug pad uttam har paaiai satgur maajhaa. 2
Sri Guru Granth Sahib contains Bani of the Gurus in addition to the Bani of years contemporary and earlier Saints and Bhagats. The classification of Bani according years to Raagas makes it clear that the Bani is written in accordance with a particular years system as conceived by Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Guru while compiling and years editing Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Beside the Raagas, different classical and folk singing years styles, Rahaao and other music signs are those elements of Gurmat music system years which always remain active due to their original musical characteristics and for the years presentation of Shabad Kirtan. Bani under Shabad Kirtan is to be sung according years to the prescribed raagas, raaga forms, singing styles, music signs, Rahaao, Ank years (digit) etc. Different music elements which discipline Shabad Kirtan can be known years by an independent systematic discussion about them and its functional aspect may years become more clear by systematic thought.
1 . Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Page 1 075.
2. Ibid., Page 697.