Yesterday Lord was extra kind to me. I had the privilege to attend a wonderful seminar on Gurbani Sangeet. Staying in Delhi it’s really unfortunate that I was not even aware of this event. Thanks to Mohan Singh (student of Prof. Kartar Singh at Gurbani Sangeet Academy, Anandpur Sahib) who called me up from Anandpur Sahib to inform that they were going to perform at this event. After reaching the venue I found that Dr. Gurnam Singh and Principal Shamsher Singh from Patiala were also going to recite kirtan. Bhai Gurmeet Singh Shant from Jallandhar joined later. So I had the opportunity to listen to the Kirtan of these great kirtaneas all together. Bibi Inderjeet Kaur was also present among the Sangat and I had the opportunity to meet this blessed soul too.

The first performance was by Prof. Kartar Singh ji and his students. They sang the first shabad in Raag Prabhati vibhas parhtal.

The next shabad was Baba Farid Ji’s Bani in Raag Soohi Lalit which I heard him sing for the first time. I am posting a small video of this shabad’s recital. I couldn’t capture too many videos as the memory card of my camera became full. The entire event was amazing; whatever I say I find words insufficient to express. If I am able to get the DVD of the recordings I shall share it in future.

sUhI lilq ] (794-16)

soohee lalit.

Soohee, Lalit:

ਬੇੜਾ ਬੰਧਿ ਨ ਸਕਿਓ ਬੰਧਨ ਕੀ ਵੇਲਾ ॥

bayrhaa banDh na saki-o banDhan kee vaylaa.

You were not able to make yourself a raft when you should have.

ਭਰਿ ਸਰਵਰੁ ਜਬ ਊਛਲੈ ਤਬ ਤਰਣੁ ਦੁਹੇਲਾ ॥੧॥

bhar sarvar jab oochhlai tab taran duhaylaa. ||1||

When the ocean is churning and over-flowing, then it is very difficult to cross over it. ||1||

ਹਥੁ ਨ ਲਾਇ ਕਸੁੰਭੜੈ ਜਲਿ ਜਾਸੀ ਢੋਲਾ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

hath na laa-ay kasumbh-rhai jal jaasee dholaa. ||1|| rahaa-o.

Do not touch the safflower with your hands; its color will fade away, my dear. ||1||Pause||

ਇਕ ਆਪੀਨੑੈ ਪਤਲੀ ਸਹ ਕੇਰੇ ਬੋਲਾ ॥

ik aapeenHai patlee sah kayray bolaa.

First, the bride herself is weak, and then, her Husband Lord's Order is hard to bear.

ਦੁਧਾ ਥਣੀ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਫਿਰਿ ਹੋਇ ਨ ਮੇਲਾ ॥੨॥

duDhaa thanee na aavee fir ho-ay na maylaa. ||2||

Milk does not return to the breast; it will not be collected again. ||2||

ਕਹੈ ਫਰੀਦੁ ਸਹੇਲੀਹੋ ਸਹੁ ਅਲਾਏਸੀ ॥

kahai fareed sahayleeho saho alaa-aysee.

Says Fareed, O my companions, when our Husband Lord calls,

ਹੰਸੁ ਚਲਸੀ ਡੁੰਮਣਾ ਅਹਿ ਤਨੁ ਢੇਰੀ ਥੀਸੀ ॥੩॥੨॥

hans chalsee dummnaa ah tan dhayree theesee. ||3||2||

the soul departs, sad at heart, and this body returns to dust. ||3||2||

Labels: Gurbani Sangeet