A “Ragi” is a musician. “Jatha” means group of musicians. A “Ragi Jatha” is a group of musicians who sing spiritual music, or “Kirtan.” 

Anyone visiting a Gurdwara should treat the Ragis with grace, honor, and respect, because they are giving the Sangat the practical experience of the Gurbani of the Shabad Guru through their Kirtan. When giving them an offering by placing money before them, this offering is made not to them personally, but in gratitude for the opportunity to hear the Shabad Guru which they are reciting. This offering is placed with reverence and respect.

Kirtan is the musical form of the Shabad Guru. It is played so those who sing or listen to Gurbani Kirtan, receive these sacred words in their hearts and are tuned  to the Infinite. The Guru’s bani states that in the age of Kaliyug, Gurbani Kirtan is the highest form of meditation by which a Sikh can focus, concentrate, and experience God.

The greater part of most Gurdwara programs is devoted to Kirtan. The entire Sangat is strongly encouraged to join in singing Kirtan. It is helpful when possible to provide Shabad sheets (or project this on a screen for all to see) with translation and transliteration for the sangat so that all may accurately and easily sing along to experience the vibration of the Guru’s Word.

The following types of music are appropriate as part of Kirtan:

Gurbani: Gurbani is the Words of Siri Guru Granth Sahib, the living Guru of the Sikhs. These Words are expressed in Naad Yoga, the technology of the sound current. When one speaks and sings the Words of the Gurus, one may experience the elevation of consciousness which the technology of Naad Yoga induces.

Other Banis: Banis of the works of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, contained in the Dasam Granth. Also poetry of certain Sikhs approved by the Gurus themselves, such as: the Vars of Bhai Gurdas and the poetry of Bhai Nand Lal.

Mantras of Gurbani: A mantra is made up of words which are pure sound current, giving the mind a rhythm and carrying it from duality to Infinity. The entire Siri Guru Granth Sahib is perfect, pure sound current. Certain excerpts of Gurbani have so much power that they have been selected to be sung repetitively as part of kirtan and in our meditations by the saints and sages through time. Some examples include the Guru Mantra (Wahe Guru), Mul Mantra, the Guru Gaitri Mantra (Gobinday, mukhanday, udharay, uparay, hariung, kariung, nirnamay, akamay), Aad Guray Namaih, and Ang Sang Wahe Guru.

Gurbani in Translation: The singing of the Guru’s hymns in the predominant language of the Sadh Sangat is appropriate whenever it will add to the sangat’s appreciation of the truth and beauty of the Guru’s teachings. It is especially appropriate when there are visitors present who are unacquainted with Gurbani and the Guru’s teachings.

Songs and Poems Set to Music: Songs and poems set to music describing the glory and the lives of the Gurus, describing Sikh history in an inspiring manner or inspiring the sangat to live according to the ideals of Sikh Dharma are acceptable during a Gurdwara service.

Instrumentation and Performance: The instrumentation used for accompanying kirtan has changed greatly in the years since the rabaab (a bowed and stringed lute) was the primary instrument. In recent years, the most popular style of performance has been a group of three or more musicians singing and playing harmoniums, sarangi and other stringed instruments, while one plays tabla (drum).

 

Listen to beautiful Gurbani Kirtan live from the Golden Temple on YouTube! 

~Resources: Victory & Virtue: Ceremonies & Code of Conduct of Sikh Dharma (2001) by the Office of the Bhai Sahiba of Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere and Living Reality (1994) by Bibiji Inderjit Kaur Khalsa.