Kirtan is considered by Sikhs to be the highest form of adoration and praise. Shabads or hymns are at the heart of the Sikh worship service, ceremonies and celebrations. Songs or bhajans are selected from Sikh scripture whose compositions are poetic and written to be sung in to music. In the Sikh tradition, no ceremony, event, or occasion is complete without the hymns of kirtan being sung.
Kirtan Adoration in Song
Photo © [Khalsa Panth]
Kirtan is adoration expressed musically. The hymns or shabads sung in kirtan focus on praise and devotion are selected from the scripture of Guru Granth Sahib and the compositions of Guru Gobind Singh. Kirtan is performed by Sikhs for a variety of occasions.
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Shabad Hymns of Gurbani
Photo © [Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa]
Shabads or gyms are sacred sections from Sikhism's scripture Guru Granth Sahib. The divine shabads are composed in poetic form in classical raag, or the Indian style of music.
Amrit Kirtan Hymns of Immortal Nectar
Photo © [S Khalsa]
Amrit Kirtan is a Sikh hymnal. The hymns selected are from the poetic compositions of Guru Granth Sahib. Shabads in the collection of hymns are arranged according to spiritual themes.
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Nagar Kirtan Parade
Photo © Khalsa Panth
Nagar Kirtan is a kind of adoration expressed in song while parading through the streets of a town. Nagar kirtan is held on special commemorative gurpurab occasions and holidays. During the parade, kirtan may performed by devotees while riding on a float or while walking in a procession.
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Yuba City Annual Nagar Kirtan Parade Illustrated
Don't Rain On My (Nagar Kirtan) Parade Illustrated
Guru Gadee, the Inauguration Gurpurab
Guru Nanak's Nagar Kirtan Gurpurab
Rain Sabaee Kirtan, Night so Beautiful!
Photo © [Khalsa Panth]
Rain Sabaee kirtan is sung all night long. Rain sabee is usualy held on gurpurab or commemorative occasions, celebrations, and festivities. The kirtan worship service begins at sundown and continues until daybreak.
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Kirtan Classes and Camp
Photo © [Kulpreet Singh]
Children are given the opportunity to learn kirtan in the gurudwara. Classes are held on weekends and holidays camps. Kirtan class may be an informal gathering of hands on learning, or more structured if taught in the classical style of raag which requires in depth study. Lessons focus on learning to sing shabads from Guru Granth Sahib accompanied by various instruments:
Sikh Hymns, Prayers and Blessings for All Occasions
Photo © [S Khalsa]
The hymns of the Guru Granth Sahib reflect the journey of the soul through life in partnership with the divine. All of life's important events are accompanied by the singing sacred verses of Kirtan appropriate to the occasion:
- Hymns in Praise of Women
- Hymns of the Sikh Wedding
- Hymns of Hope and Blessings for a Child
- Hymns of Encouragement During Hard Times
- Hymns Sung in Praise of Khalsa Initiation
- Hymns of Consolation for the Bereaved
Gurbani Kirtan CD's by Gurmat Gian Group
Photo © [Courtesy Gurmat Gian Group]
The Gurbani kirtan Audio CD's by Gurmat Gian Group are a collection of bhajans, shabads and hymns for all occasions. Each CD contains of half a dozen individual hymns based on a particular spiritual theme sung in classical style by an all women group whose core consists of classical music instructor, Gurpreet Kaur and her daughter Keerat Kaur.
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Learn Gurbani Kirtan Book DVD CD by Bhai Manmohan Singh
Photo © [S Khalsa]
The instruction Learn Gurbani Kirtan kit includes a booklet, DVD, and CD which together enable the student to advance step by step towards achieving the goal of singing and playing kirtan, the hymns of Gurbani. The DVD employs a series of finger and voice exercises showing proper finger placement for each note given in the booklet.
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