Kirtan - The Beat Of my Life

The Sarangi is a remarkably enchanting instrument which dates back to 5000BC, it was created by the great scholar, Raavan. The name of the instrument translates to mean 'one hundred colors', it is also known as the mother to all stringed instruments as well as the only instrument which is so close to the human voice. This astonishing instrument was created to sing the praise of the Creator, it was used for this purpose and then with evolution it was used less. In the court of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib it was brought back to the spiritual arena and used to sing the 22 ballads (Vaars) from the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. There is a huge difference between a Dhadd Sarangi or Tota which is used to sing Dhadi Vaars and this sarangi which is also known as a classical or full size sarangi, the purpose and sound of these two instruments separates them clearly.

The Rabab of Guru Nanak followed him as his shadow for over 27 years on his travels around the world, played by his beloved companion Bhai Mardana. This was the start of the Sikh Rababi (kirtanee) tradition with the singing of Shabad pardhaan kirtan according to the hukam of the Guru's (following the specified raags). India houses various types of rababs which vary from region to region, the Sikh Rabab is also known as the Firandia Rabab, named after Bhai Firanda who carved and created the original Rabab which Bebe Nanaki presented to Guru Nanak Dev ji as a gift.

The Saranda is a unique instrument which originated amongst the Sikhs, designed, created and also played by the Fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji. He instructed his followers to practice and share the singing of sacred shabads with these instruments to elevate the soul to merge with the Creator. Guru Arjan blessed the whole nation with this instrument which is still used in Pakistan from Sindh to Baluchistan, in Afghanistan from Kabul to Kandahar and known as Saranda/Sirinda/Sarinda to play regional folk music. It is important to note that the instrument used in these areas for folk music is NOT the same as the Sikh Saranda used for singing Kirtan. The size, wood, structure and strings used for both types of instruments are significantly different and one should not be confused with the other.