FREMONT, California, USA—A Raag Darbar recital event organized this past Saturday at Gurdwara Sahib Fremont brought Sikh youth from various gurdwaras all around the Bay Area to take part in singing hymns in the classic Indian style of raag. The hymns, or shabads, were performed from the scripture of Guru Granth Sahib in Basant Raag, an ancient raag particular to spring, said to inspire a sense of serene bliss. Students from Fremont, San Jose and Stockton Khalsa School participated.
Raag Darbar began at 6 pm and continued until 9 pm. Tanti saaj, or stringed instruments, were a highlight of the program. Many youth demonstrated their skill, and ability, as they performed kirtan, or devotional music, playing the traditional rhythms, and patterns of raag.
Several Gurdwaras in the Bay Area have regular kirtan classes taught by teachers such as Prof. Dalbir Singh, and Prof. Ranjit Singh of Los Angeles who travels to Fremont Gurdwara Sahib on a regular basis to train students. Prof. Dalbir Singh is based in Fremont, and is active in preserving the traditional kirtan form of raag.
