Upinder Kaur's Blog

Prof. Kartar Singh ji honored witrh SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI AWARDS 2008

2009-07-31T10:25:00.009+05:30

It is a proud moment for sikh panth and Gurmat Sangeet sangeet lovers. Prof Kartar Singh Ji 81, Director Gurmat Sangeet Academy has received Akademi Award for his contribution to the traditional form of Gurmat Sangeet i.e. with tanti saaz in raags. See details...

He performed at Meghdoot theater on 19th July. here are a few video recordings:-

Gurbani Gaveh Bhai-2009

2009-05-09T10:18:00.001+05:30

Gurbani Gaveh Bhai-2009

2009-04-17T08:31:00.001+05:30

2009-03-18T17:42:00.002+05:30

Autobiography of a great man - Prof. Sahib Singh ji

2008-12-24T10:08:00.018+05:30

This is one autobiography which I have read several times. Today we look for gurbani meaning very promptly from GuruGranth Darpan. It may be a hard copy or a cd or just on the web but it seldom occurs to us the hard work of the person who is behind it. Today I would like to share a few excerpts from this book

The book

He stars his story from the family tree and goes in detail about his name:

Its very interesting to read about the disease and its treatment in those days, just a century ago:

How the thoughts of becoming a sikh hovered around his mind:

One canot believe that appearing in the school exam was so difficult:

Reading about his marriage is really amusing:
Amrit Sanskar:
Here is a story from his life which always brought tears to my eyes:

In short book tells you a lot about the life people lived 100 years ago. We can know a lot about Akali lehar , Gurdwara movement and freedom struggle.The Language used is very interesting.His hardwork and struggle to publish Darpan is most amazing. Every time we read Darpan we must pay tribute to this great soul

Raj Academy's Delhi visit

2008-11-20T10:20:00.005+05:30

Raj Academy from UK was in Delhi recently. It was their third tour to the capital of India. Every time they come we try our best, not to miss any kirtan performance by the group. This time their tour was very short but most valuable. They held a workshop for two days (Saturday and Sunday). It was a splendid attempt to impart knowledge of Gurmat Sangeet to those who seek out. Professor Surinder Singh and his students gave valuable tips of gurmat sangeet and allowed every one present a fair chance to try their hands on all the musical instruments. Through this post I express my heartfelt gratitude to professor sahib and his team. We look out for next such great occasion. I would like to thank each one of them.

you can watch the videos here

Flash Of Lightening

2008-10-26T12:35:00.003+05:30

Thakat Shri Kes Garh Sahib

2008-07-23T22:07:00.000+05:30

Jagat Jot Jape Nisbasur

2008-07-06T17:50:00.004+05:30

Here is another video from Gurbani Gaveh Bhai. You can down load all the videos from keertan.org

last year's audio recordings are also available for download. Click Here

The holy places of worship in the world are polluted, and so the world is drowning.

2008-06-27T21:37:00.014+05:30

Guru Nanak during his visit to JaganNath Puri in Orissa came across a fake Sadhu pretending to see three worlds with his eyes shut and nostrils closed between the thumb and fingers as he sat in lotus pose (padmaassan). He promised his devotees to show the Three worlds (swarag, mirat and patal lok) if they sat there in meditation with him. He had kept a lota (bowl) in front of him meant for donations. Guru Sahib and Mardana also sat there along with other people. As everybody sat with their eyes closed, Mardana, under the direction of Guru Sahib, picked up the lota and kept it behind the sadhu. When he opened his eyes and saw the money gone, he started screaming in a fit of rage. Guru Sahib smiled and asked him, “If you were claiming to visualize all the three worlds, then how come you didn't see your lota?" Then Mardana picked up the bowl and showed it to him. He admitted that he could not see anything with closed eyes and simply fooled innocent people. The following Shabad of Guru Nanak in Raag Dhanasiri explains the whole incident.

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ 1 ਘਰੁ 3 ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
ਕਾਲੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਜੋਗੁ ਨਾਹੀ ਨਾਹੀ ਸਤ ਕਾ ਢਬੁ ॥ ਥਾਨਸਟ ਜਗ ਭਰਿਸਟ ਹੋਏ ਡੂਬਤਾ ਇਵ ਜਗੁ ॥1॥ ਕਲ ਮਹਿ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮੁ ਸਾਰੁ ॥ ਅਖੀ ਤ ਮੀਟਹਿ ਨਾਕ ਪਕੜਹਿ ਠਗਣ ਕਉ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਆਂਟ ਸੇਤੀ ਨਾਕੁ ਪਕੜਹਿ ਸੂਝਤੇ ਤਿਨਿ ਲੋਅ ॥ ਮਗਰ ਪਾਛੈ ਕਛੁ ਨ ਸੂਝੈ ਏਹੁ ਪਦਮੁ ਅਲੋਅ ॥2॥ ਖਤ੍ਰੀਆ ਤ ਧਰਮੁ ਛੋਡਿਆ ਮਲੇਛ ਭਾਖਿਆ ਗਹੀ ॥ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਸਭ ਇਕ ਵਰਨ ਹੋਈ ਧਰਮ ਕੀ ਗਤਿ ਰਹੀ ॥3॥ ਅਸਟ ਸਾਜ ਸਾਜਿ ਪੁਰਾਣ ਸੋਧਹਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਬੇਦ ਅਭਿਆਸੁ ॥ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਮ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਹੈ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਦਾਸੁ ॥4॥1॥6॥8॥

No, no, this is not the time, when people know the way to Yoga and Truth.

The holy places of worship in the world are polluted, and so the world is drowning. ||1||

In this Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Lord's Name is the most sublime.

Some people try to deceive the world by closing their eyes and holding their nostrils closed. ||1||Pause||

They close off their nostrils with their fingers, and claim to see the three worlds.

But they cannot even see what is behind them. What a strange lotus pose this is! ||2||

The K'shatriyas have abandoned their religion, and have adopted a foreign language.

The whole world has been reduced to the same social status; the state of
righteousness and Dharma has been lost. ||3|| They analyze eight chapters of (Panini's) grammar and the Puraanas. They study the Vedas, but without the Lord's Name, no one is liberated; so says Nanak, the Lord's slave. ||4||1||6||8||

The shabad which follows this in Guru Granth Sahib on Ang 663 is Aarti, which we all know was also sung by Guru Nanak at Puri.

Mobiles and Group SMS

2008-06-17T12:47:00.012+05:30

About 10 years ago it was impossible for me to even think of using a mobile phone. Today each and every member of my family owns a mobile. As I walk on street I notice very often that almost every one around holds a cell phone . With such a boom in cell phone industry SMS has become an important way to communicate. Its wonderful to receive my daily hukamnama from Darbar Sahib on my cell. This sms group 'SIKHI' sends you daily hukamnama along with one word from Gurbani with its meaning and example. Without much effort you get to learn one word every day.
Here is an example:

EHNIS - day and night

RAAVE - enjoys

EHNIS RAAVE BHAGAT JOG

Day and night he (gurmukh) enjoys the devotional worship.
Synonyms of EHNIS : NISDIN.

One even gets a Recap at the end of the week to recapitulate whatever we could learn.

Recap
BISAARI: forget

PEHER: 3hours

CHITAARI: think

SAAS SAAS: each breath

PEKHAI: see

BISMAAD: wonders

KAT: why,where

PRASAAD: Kirpa

KAARAJ: work

To learn more and subscribe to this group please see the following links:

Sikhi:
http://www.smsgupshup.com/groups/Sikhi
http://joinsikhi.blogspot.com/

Another group is about daughters of Guru Gobind Singh --'KAURZ'
to know more about this group CLICK HERE

There are more group sms services
One provides with information of various kirtan programmes in Delhi ( GaavoSachiBani)and even kirtan download of these samagams is available on the site. Click Here .

Another group of youngters are arranging gurmat camps for kids and are also active in group sms.
Sikhi Sidak
I got an opportunity to attend one such camp and was really impressed by sewa of these youngters. May Waheguru Bless them and keep them in Chardi Kala.

Gurbani Santhaya

2008-06-14T10:54:00.003+05:30

The celebrations of the 300 years of Guru Granth Sahib Gur Gaddi Divas are in full swing. In my local gurudwara I found these celebrations to be most unique.There is a Larivar Gurbani Santhaya everyday.Though there are not many people but still its heartening to see some very young participants. I think instead of spending huge amount of funds on Lavish Nagar kirtans and fire works we should motivate more youngsters to participate in gurbani Santhaya and understand Guru's hukum.Unless and until we understand the Gurbani , all other celebrations are a waste .Guru Sahib makes it very clear

ਸਲੋਕੁ ਮਃ 3 ॥
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਨੋ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਵੇਖਦਾ ਜੇਤਾ ਜਗਤੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥
ਡਿਠੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ ਜਿਚਰੁ ਸਬਦਿ ਨ ਕਰੇ ਵੀਚਾਰੁ ॥
ਹਉਮੈ ਮੈਲੁ ਨ ਚੁਕਈ ਨਾਮਿ ਨ ਲਗੈ ਪਿਆਰੁ ॥
ਇਕਿ ਆਪੇ ਬਖਸਿ ਮਿਲਾਇਅਨੁ ਦੁਬਿਧਾ ਤਜਿ ਵਿਕਾਰ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਇਕਿ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਦੇਖਿ ਮਰਿ ਮਿਲੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਹੇਤਿ ਪਿਆਰਿ ॥1॥

salok ma 3 |
sathigur no sabh ko vaekhadhaa jaethaa jagath sansaar |
ddithai mukath n hovee jichar sabadh n karae veechaar |
houmai mail n chukee naam n lagai piaar |
eik aapae bakhas milaaeian dhubidhaa thaj vikaar |
naanak eik dharasan dhaekh mar milae sathigur haeth piaar |1|

Shalok, Third Mehl:
All the living beings of the world behold the True Guru.
One is not liberated by merely seeing Him, unless one contemplates the Word of His Shabad.
The filth of ego is not removed, and he does not enshrine love for the Naam.
The Lord forgives some, and unites them with Himself; they forsake their duality and sinful ways.
O Nanak, some behold the Blessed Vision of the True Guru's Darshan, with love and affection; conquering their ego, they meet with the Lord. ||1||

Sangat participating in the larivar Gurbani Santhaya

Jagriti Yatra in Delhi

2008-06-11T18:38:00.004+05:30

I had been really busy and couldn't update my blog for some time. Here are the glimpses of visit of Jagriti Yatra to Delhi.
Historical Shastars of Guru Gobind Singh ji and the Sikhs

300 year old Handwritten swaroop of Guru Sahib

Mere Lallan ke Sobha

2008-05-24T10:14:00.001+05:30

Another video from Gurbani Gaveh Bhai 2008

More Kirtan from Gurbani gaveh bhai

2008-05-02T18:13:00.005+05:30

Bibi Gursharan kaur is from Delhi and she sang beautifully. Here is one of the shabads she sang. Since Youtube doesn't accept a video lenght of more than 10 minutes I had to trim the video clip .

Ashupreet Kaur

2008-04-23T13:38:00.002+05:30

Singing at Gurbani Gaveh Bhai.

Gurbani Gaveh Bhai

2008-04-21T10:56:00.003+05:30

This weekend I had an opportunity to Attend annual kirtan programme at the Talkatora Gardens. Captured lots of videos which I'll share over time

Full moon peeped through trees as we listened to Gurbani kirtan

welcome lamps lit at the entrance gate

Here is a small video clip of the shabad sung by BhaiGurmeet SinghShant

ਨਟ ਪੜਤਾਲ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
ਕੋਊ ਹੈ ਮੇਰੋ ਸਾਜਨੁ ਮੀਤੁ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਸੁਨਾਵੈ ਨੀਤ ॥ ਬਿਨਸੈ ਦੁਖੁ ਬਿਪਰੀਤਿ ॥ ਸਭੁ ਅਰਪਉ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਚੀਤੁ
॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਕੋਈ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਆਪਨ ਕੀਤ ॥ ਸੰਗਿ ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲ ਮਨੁ ਸੀਤ ॥ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਹਰਿ ਜਸੁ ਦੀਤ ॥੧॥ ਹਰਿ ਭਜਿ ਜਨਮੁ ਪਦਾਰਥੁ ਜੀਤ ॥ ਕੋਟਿ ਪਤਿਤ ਹੋਹਿ ਪੁਨੀਤ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸ ਬਲਿ ਬਲਿ ਕੀਤ॥੨॥੧॥੧੦॥੧੯॥

Gurbani Gaveh Bhai

2008-04-15T09:09:00.002+05:30

The detailed programme of Gurbani Gaveh Bhai at Talkatora Gardens from 18th to 20th April 2008.

Bhai Harjeet Singh Gurdeep Singh ji

2008-03-31T09:04:00.001+05:30

Alokik Basan Kirtan Samagam

2008-03-17T13:38:00.003+05:30

On 15th March 2008, A Basant Kirtan Darbar was organized at Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib New Delhi. I had gone with much enthusiasm but was somewhat disappointed. Here is the scanned image of the poster :-

It was really painful and disturbing to find certain things. The poster at the venue said

"ਗੁਰਮਤ ਕੀਰਤਨ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਨਰ ਜੀਵ ਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਇਕ ਉਪਰਾਲਾ"

“An effort to revive Gurmat Kirtan”

But the renowned Pandits of Hindustani classical music invited were singing anything but Gurmat Kirtan. Most raags were off-title. The shabad of Raag Malhaar was sung in Raag Basant.
Gurbani was called as rachna (composition) of someone else -which was of course corrected when pointed out. Some raags that were sung are not even part of Guru Granth Sahib. What hurt the most was that some of them just rushed to the stage without doing matha tek to the Guru whose Gurta Gaddi Diwas was supposedly being commemorated. Here is a small video clip of Rajan and Sajan Mishra singing. I could not make out what they were singing. No doubt they are very good singers but singing Gurbani is pure love and devotion and not the showing off one’s talent. Nirdharit Raags and clarity of word should have been on top priority. I have nothing against them I fully appreciate their singing talent but I feel they shouldn’t have been invited for Gurmat Kirtan as its different from their field. The other kirtanias were really wonderful.

Sunrise

2008-03-05T15:28:00.003+05:30

Some days ago I had an opportunity to view the sun rising as I listened to Jaap Sahib. This gave me the idea of this video. Bani is recited by students of Akal Academy Baru Sahib.

Train to Patna

2008-02-29T10:49:00.003+05:30

Train to Patna
Originally uploaded by Upinder Kaur

Saw this picture in the News paper ( The Hindu)and thought of sharing with you all.
I have actually seen this kind of scene at Patna railway station many years ago.I thought that over years things might have improved but this news paper photo says it all. I was just wondering if they are all ticket holders.Payments for this kind of journey will surely generate huge profits .

In Phalgun, her mind is enraptured, pleased by the Love of her Beloved.

2008-02-12T10:12:00.002+05:30

ਫਲਗੁਨਿ ਮਨਿ ਰਹਸੀ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੁ ਸੁਭਾਇਆ ॥ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਰਹਸੁ ਭਇਆ ਆਪੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ॥ ਮਨ ਮੋਹੁ ਚੁਕਾਇਆ ਜਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਇਆ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਘਰਿ ਆਓ ॥ ਬਹੁਤੇ ਵੇਸ ਕਰੀ ਪਿਰ ਬਾਝਹੁ ਮਹਲੀ ਲਹਾ ਨ ਥਾਓ ॥ ਹਾਰ ਡੋਰ ਰਸ ਪਾਟ ਪਟੰਬਰ ਪਿਰਿ ਲੋੜੀ ਸੀਗਾਰੀ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਮੇਲਿ ਲਈ ਗੁਰਿ ਅਪਣੈ ਘਰਿ ਵਰੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਨਾਰੀ ॥੧੬॥

In Phalgun, her mind is enraptured, pleased by the Love of her Beloved. Night and day, she is enraptured, and her selfishness is gone. Emotional attachment is eradicated from her mind, when it pleases Him; in His Mercy, He comes to myhome. I dress in various clothes, but without my Beloved, I shall not find a place in the Mansion of His Presence. I have adorned myself with garlands of flowers, pearl necklaces, scented oils and silk robes. O Nanak, the Guru has united me with Him. The soul-bride has found her Husband Lord, within the home of her own heart. || 16 ||

You can listen to/download BarahMaha Katha by Giani Sant Singh Maskeen

The One Name is my lamp; I have put the oil of suffering into it.

2008-01-28T12:18:00.000+05:30

ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥

ਦੀਵਾ ਮੇਰਾ ਏਕੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਦੁਖੁ ਵਿਚਿ ਪਾਇਆ ਤੇਲੁ ॥ ਉਨਿ ਚਾਨਣਿ ਓਹੁ ਸੋਖਿਆ ਚੂਕਾ ਜਮ ਸਿਉ ਮੇਲੁ ॥੧॥ ਲੋਕਾ ਮਤ ਕੋ ਫਕੜਿ ਪਾਇ ॥ ਲਖ ਮੜਿਆ ਕਰਿ ਏਕਠੇ ਏਕ ਰਤੀ ਲੇ ਭਾਹਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਪਿੰਡੁ ਪਤਲਿ ਮੇਰੀ ਕੇਸਉ ਕਿਰਿਆ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾਰੁ ॥ ਐਥੈ ਓਥੈ ਆਗੈ ਪਾਛੈ ਏਹੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਆਧਾਰੁ ॥੨॥ ਗੰਗ ਬਨਾਰਸਿ ਸਿਫਤਿ ਤੁਮਾਰੀ ਨਾਵੈ ਆਤਮ ਰਾਉ ॥ ਸਚਾ ਨਾਵਣੁ ਤਾਂ ਥੀਐ ਜਾਂ ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਲਾਗੈ ਭਾਉ ॥੩॥ ਇਕ ਲੋਕੀ ਹੋਰੁ ਛਮਿਛਰੀ ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣੁ ਵਟਿ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਖਾਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਬਖਸੀਸ ਕਾ ਕਬਹੂੰ ਨਿਖੂਟਸਿ ਨਾਹਿ ॥੪॥੨॥੩੨॥

AASAA, FIRST MEHL: The One Name is my lamp; I have put the oil of suffering into it. Its flame has dried up this oil, and I have escaped my meeting with the Messenger of Death. || 1 || O people, do not make fun of me. Thousands of wooden logs, piled up together, need only a tiny flame to burn. || 1 || Pause || The Lord is my festive dish, of rice balls on leafy plates; the True Name of the Creator Lord is my funeral ceremony. Here and hereafter, in the past and in the future, this is my support. || 2 || The Lords Praise is my River Ganges and my city of Benares; my soul takes its sacred cleansing bath there. That becomes my true cleansing bath, if night and day, I enshrine love for You. || 3 || The rice balls are offered to the gods and the dead ancestors, but it is the Brahmins who eat them! O Nanak, the rice balls of the Lord are a gift which is never exhausted. || 4 || 2 || 32 ||

Maan Nimane Tu Dhani Tera Bharvasa

2008-01-22T20:26:00.000+05:30