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SHABHAD KIRTAN or GURMAT SANGEET has been an integral part of Sikh worship from the very beginning. Hymn-singing was in fact the earliest form of devotion for the Sikhs. Even in the time of Guru Nanak, the disciples assembled together to the shabads, i.e. hymns composed by the Guru and thus to render praise to the Lord. Kirtan has since been appropriated into the regular gurdwara service. But Sikh kirtan abstains from all outward expression or frenzy in the form of clapping and dancing. Praise is offered to the Supreme Being who is without form, nirankar and not to a deity in any embodiment or incarnation.
The texts of the shabad kirtan are those that comprise the Holy Book of Sikhs known as the Guru Granth Sahib, or Adi Granth, compiled by Guru Arjan in 1604. Probably no other religion shows a closer relationship between music and its scriptures than does Sikhism. The Holy Book is organized according to ragas, 31 in number, to which the poetic hymns belong. ....Continued
Previous Featured article 1 BHAI KANHAIYA (1648-1718), was a Sikh of Guru Tegh Bahadur and was the founder of the Sevapanthi or Addanshahi sect of the Sikhs. Bhai Sahib was born in a Dhamman Khatri family of Sodhara near Waxirabad in Sialkot district (now in Pakistan). His father was a wealthy trader, but he himself being of a religious bent of mind left home when still very young and roamed about with saddhus and ascetics in search of spiritual peace. ....Continued
Previous Featured article 2: Message of Guru Granth Sahib On September 1, the Sikhs celebrated the 401 years of the first installation of their holy scriptures called the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib was compiled and installed at Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar in 1604. The holy book contains hymns written by saints and scholars of different religions. The SGGS contains a message for the whole of humanity. Continued .....
Previous Featured article 3: Battle of Saragarhi On September 12, the Sikhs remembered with honor the supreme sacrifice of their 21 comrades who for the defence, security and safeguard of their country and fellow citizens willingly laid down their lives. These soldiers were inspired by the heart piercing message of their tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Continued .....
