THE HERMENEUTICS OF SIKH MUSIC (RĀG) AND WORD (SHABAD)

‘Seeing’ my Beloved

“…Here, the sense of hearing is paramount in the singing of kirtan, teachings from the Guru Granth Sahib, and occasionally the Dasam Granth ( Figure 1). It is important to note that the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib are written in accordance to ragas, musical notes, and are therefore intended to be sung (see Bhogal 2011;Cassio 2012). The role of the ragi, one who has taken training in the playing of the harmonium and tabla, therefore is essential in communal worship.…”