Resources & References
Information about kirtan, otherwise scattered across the web, collated into one place — the conservator of the tradition, articles, books, recordings, and where to learn.
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Conservator
- Bhai Baldeep Singh: A direct descendant of Guru Bābā Nanak’s disciple Bhai Sadhāraṇ, Bhai Baldeep Singh descends from a long lineage of GurSikh masters of the Gurbāni Kīrtan maryadā, and today is its 13th generation exponent. Bhai Sadhāraṇ was the 2nd head of the Dharamsāl, the school of learning founded by Guru Bābā Nanak at Kartapur (now in Pakistan) in 1521 AD. Bhai Sadhāraṇ was also endowed with a Manjī by the 3rd Sikh guru, Sāhib Srī Guru Amar Das. Bhai Baldeep Singh’s repertoire includes masterpieces that were first composed by the Sikh Gurus and the Bhagats themselves. He is also the prime exponent (khalifā) of the oldest gharāna of classical percussions — pakhāwaj/mridang playing of Punjab known as Sultanpur Lodhi – Amritsari Bāj. Visit his Patreon, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channel. Bhai Sahib can be contacted through email.
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Articles
- Bhai Baldeep Singh: WHAT IS KĪRTAN? and Memory and pedagogy of Gurbāṇī Saṅgīta: An autoethnographic Udāsī.
- Harjap Singh Aujla: Bhai Santa Singh, Bhai Prithipal Singh Mohanpal Singh — a link with the musical heritage of Nankana Sahib, Bhai Didar Singh, Bhai Samund Singh Ji — a Sikh religious musician par excellence, Bhai Dharam Singh Zakhmi — a great preacher kirtania, and Bhai Avtar Singh & Gurcharan Singh — the old guards of Dhrupad-based Gurmat Sangeet.
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Learning
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Books
- Gurbani Sangeet Vol 1 and 2 by Gian Singh Abtabaad. Bhai Taba assisted in singing puratan compositions while Gyani Dyal Singh notated.
- Gurbani Sangeet Prachin Reet Ratnavali Vol 1 and 2 by Bhai Avtar Singh & Gurcharan Singh. It contains centuries-old puratan compositions.
- Ratan Sangeet Bhandar by Bhai Prem Singh. He was employed at the court of Raja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala and also served as Ragi at Darbar Sahib.
- Gurmat Sangeet De Anmol Ratan by Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa Padam Shri.
- Gurmat Sangeet Sagar Vol 1, 2, 3, and 4 by Gyani Dyal Singh. A great resource of many puratan compositions.
- Punjab De Prasidh Ragi Rababi by Balbir Singh Kanwal.
- Samund Sagar by Prof Paramjot Singh. It contains compositions of Bhai Samund Singh Ji.
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Audio
- Gurmat Sangeet Project: a great resource for puratan ragis’ recordings.
- Kirtan Sewa: Website and YouTube channel.
- Sahib Singh Bakshi’s YouTube channel — a huge amount of rare kirtan audio.
- Gurmat Sangeet Collection — kirtan of selective puratan ragis and rare Asa Di Vaar recordings.
- SoundCloud: Nirbaan Kirtan and DGN Sounds.
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Miscellaneous
- The Mardana Project: Instagram and YouTube. The channel offers vlogs on the making of The Mardana Project (an upcoming documentary on Gurmat Sangeet).
- YaarAnād Virtual Baiṭhak Series Mēlā by Bhai Baldeep Singh on the Anad Records page.