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I N D I A N  C L A S S I C A L  M U S I C A N D  G U R B A N I  S A N G E E T

I can still remember the day when my father bought my brother and myself a pair of harmoniums (‘vaaja’) and my sister a tabla.  The harmoniums were white in colour, and we were full of curiosity.  We must have been only 4 or 5 years old when we started learning kirtan (singing of scriptural hymns, gurbani).  My father’s dream was that a jatha (music ensemble) would be formed with my brother, sister and myself. We learned endlessly in our young age from many different raagis (musicians adhering to the raag format of singing) and teachers.  Traditionally, Indian music is learnt from one Guru (teacher) on a one-on-one basis.  Living in Brantford, Ontario did not enable us to have such a teacher.  Thus any traveling raagis that would come through Brantford or southern Ontario would definitely get detoured to our home so we could learn the centuries old music. As we grew up, we still participated in functions at the Gurudwara (‘the home of the true Guru-God’; place of Sikh worship) and peoples’ homes.  It provided us with a sense of discipline and contentment (and excitement!).  My brother still performs all across Canada and the United States with his prophetic voice.  My sister still continues with her beats on the tabla, and soothing people with her encapturing voice.