Alankar Singh , a celebrated Gurbani and Gurmat Sangeet vocalist , practices this form of folk singing that originated in Punjab and calls it his way of life. After his recent soulful performance in the city at SPIC MACAY’s 9th International Convention , he talked to us about performing in the city, more on Gurbani, and how it ‘completes’ him..
. I have been to Chennai many times, but it was my first experience performing in IIT. Events that have so many different kinds of performances do such a great job of connecting the younger generation with our roots.
It is very nice to perform in the South; people here are very warm and welcoming. Guru Nanak ji also travelled to Tamil Nadu once, so to perform here is a special experience. I’m a music professor and I think when children are directly connected with their gurus, it certainly changes their lives.
So, as musicians, we are happy to do our part and give our best performances. With Gurbani, we are trying to convey the messages of the Sikh gurus. It is basically Punjabi.
Gurumukhi script is the vani in which the gurus recited their sayings. It spreads the universal message of brotherhood, love, sacrifice and peace. We are trying to pass on this message to the next generation.
It is a very enlightening experience for us. Gurbani says that all religions are equal, we should love all humans. It preaches hard work, reminds us of the need to share and reciting the name of the god.
In Punjabi, we call Brahmamuhurat as the Amri.
