Kavishri

In the Malwa region of Punjab, the 'chhandd-band' (rhymed on meter) Punjabi poetry which is sung in loud, fast, yet stretched voice without any musical instruments (somewhat similar to tarannum) is called Kavishri. The people who write and sing Kavishri in Punjabi melas, diwaans, mehfils, weddings, ect., are called Kavishar. Originally started in Malwa, this tradition of Punjabi poetry and singing has spread throughout Punjab although the majority of the Kavishar(s) to this day have been from Malwa. Babu Rajab Ali originally frpm the village of Sahoke near Moga was the un-crowned king of Kavishari.

Kavisri was started by the 10th Guru "Guru Govind Singh". It is an energetic and very dynamic style of singing where the singer's gusto compensates for the lack of instruments. Kavishri performers sing about historical events in the form of poetry. There are nine accepted rasas or flavours of singing, out of which four are prominent. They are hasya ras (comic), Shant ras (quiet), Verag ras (mystic) and Veer ras (heroic). It is the Veer ras that is most commonly sung today. There are innumerable songs, poetic compositions called kavits and the on-the-spot compositions of Kavishris in praise of an individual or an event that are sung under this genre.