An overview of historical instruments in gurmat sangeet ver.1

“Introduction to GURMAT SANGEET”
Historical Instruments
Rabab - The Shadow of Guru Nanak
Dilruba - The Soulful Heart Stealer
Saranda - The Blessing of the Soul
Jori - Balancing your Inner Rhythm
Sarangi - One Hundred Colors of the Soul
Taus - From the Heart of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Lesson 1
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“GURMAT SANGEET”
l
Three Type of Sikh Musicians
Rababis Ragis Dhadis
Jori
Harmonium
Rabab
Dhad
Sarangi
Lesson 2

Gurmat Sangeet
DHADHI & DHADI INSTRUMENTS
Sarangi - One Hundred Colours of the Soul
In the court of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru
Hargobind Singh Sahib Ji it was brought
back and was used to sing the 22 ballads
(Vaars) from the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Dhadis - Those who sings ballads of warriors playing Dhaad.
These traditional ballads of brave warriors and heroes (e.g. Sikh Gurus and
Sikh Maharajas) are drawn from history.
A small percussion instrument or
an hourglass- shaped of the
Damru style. Held in one hand, it
is struck on either side, with the
other hand holding the skinned
sides vertically or horizontally.
Classic Indian bells used to produce
ringing tune. It is fixed on the handle of
the Bow of Sarangi, which gives a parallel
ringing tune while playing Sarangi.
ਹਉ ਢਾਢੀ ਦਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਵਦਾ ਜੇ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਭਾਵੈ ॥
(ਪ੍ੰ ਨਾ ੧੦੯੭, ਸਤਿ ੧੦)
Ha▫o dẖādẖī ḏar guṇ gāvḏā je har parabẖ bẖāvai.
I am a minstrel at His Door, singing His Glorious Praises, to
please to my Lord God. (Guru Arjan Dev; Page 1097, Line 10)
ਖਾਲਕ ਕਉ ਆਦੇਸੁ ਢਾਢੀ ਗਾਵਣਾ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਜੁਗੁ ਜੁਗੁ ਏਕੁ ਮੰ ਰਨ
ਵਸਾਵਣਾ ॥੨੧॥ (ਮ:੧, ਪ੍ੰ ਨਾ ੧੪੮)
Kẖālak ka▫o āḏes dẖādẖī gāvṇā. Nānak jug jug ek man vasāvṇā.
I humbly bow to the Creator Lord; I am a minstrel singing His Praises.
Nanak enshrines the Lord within his mind. He is the One, throughout
the ages.||21|| (Guru Nanak Dev; Page 148)
Dhad
Ghungroo
Lesson 3

GURMAT SANGEET
Rabab - The Shadow of Guru Nanak
The Rabab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji followed him as his shadow
for over 27 years on his travels around the world, played by his
beloved companion Bhai Mardana.
This was the start of the Sikh Rababi (kirtanee) tradition with
the singing of Shabad pardhaan kirtan according to the hukam
of the Guru's (following the specified raags).
India houses various types of rababs which vary from region to
region, the Sikh Rabab is also known as the Firandia Rabab,
named after Bhai Firanda who carved and created the original
Rabab which Bebe Nanaki presented to Guru Nanak Dev ji as a
gift.

Saranda - The Blessing of the Soul
The Saranda is a unique instrument which originated amongst the Sikhs,
designed, created and also played by the Fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
He instructed his followers to practice and share the singing of sacred
shabads with these instruments to elevate the soul to merge with the
Creator.
Guru Arjan blessed the whole nation with this instrument which is still used
in Pakistan from Sindh to Baluchistan, in Afghanistan from Kabul to
Kandahar and known as Saranda/Sirinda/Sarinda to play regional folk
music.
It is important to note that the instrument used in these areas for folk
music is NOT the same as the Sikh Saranda used for singing Kirtan. The size,
wood, structure and strings used for both types of instruments are
significantly different and one should not be confused with the other.
GURMAT SANGEET

The Jori also known as Panjabi Pakhawaj is an instrument which was created in the
court of the Fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji by two musicians of the court,
Sata & Balwand.
The Jori emerged from the Mardang which is a one barrel drum, they cut this one
piece instrument into two separate pieces to create the Jori which means 'pair'.
The sound generated from this instrument is much louder and deeper to that of tabla.
The Jori is a prime example of the acoustic art required to play in an outdoor sitting
without technical aids
Differences between JORI & Modern day TABLA
1. Tabla evolved from the Jori during the microphone era to support playback singing
2. Tabla has considerably softer sound to that of the Jori
3. The Jori requires the use of fresh dough on the bass drum (dhama) and the treble drum
(dhaiya) has ink (shahee) on the skin.
To apply and remove fresh dough for each sitting required a lot more effort and maintenance,
therefore the table removed this effort as both drums for the Tabla have ink on the skin.
3. Material used - The material used to make the bass drum of tabla is metal.
For Jori both drums are made of Dhunn wood which is classed as the best quality wood for
musical instruments.
“GURMAT SANGEET”
Jori - Balancing your Inner Rhythm

Sarangi - One Hundred Colors of the Soul
The Sarangi is a remarkably enchanting instrument which dates back to
5000BC, it was created by the great scholar, Raavan.
The name of the instrument translates to mean 'one hundred colors',
it is also known as the mother to all stringed instruments as well as the
only instrument which is so close to the human voice.
This astonishing instrument was created to sing the praise of the Creator,
it was used for this purpose and then with evolution it was used less. In
the court of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib it was brought
back to the spiritual arena and used to sing the 22 ballads (Vaars) from
the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
There is a huge difference between a Dhadd Sarangi or Tota which is used
to sing Dhadi Vaars and this Sarangi which is also known as a classical or
full size Sarangi, the purpose and sound of these two instruments
separates them clearly.
GURMAT SANGEET

Taus - From the Heart of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
The Taus is the blessing of the Great Tenth Master of the Sikhs,
Guru Gobind Singh Ji, as a master of the Persian language he
named this glorious instrument 'Taus' which is Persian for
Peacock.
This was an instrument which was designed and played by the
great Guru himself to guide us by example.
The sound of this instrument is wonderfully melodious taking you
to a complete heavenly state, where you can feel the warmth of
the universe.
This instrument is played with a bow and is hand crafted from
one piece of high quality wood (Dhunn wood).
This is one instrument which requires a vast amount of hard
work, effort and craftsmanship to produce such a graceful
instrument.
GURMAT SANGEET

Dilruba - The Soulful Heart Stealer
Dilruba was also blessed by the Tenth Guru, Gobind Singh Ji, it is an
instrument which he designed and created. Dilruba is Persian for
'Heart Stealer', the instrument itself has a wonderfully enchanting
sound which takes away your heart in an instance.
The Dilruba is a smaller and modified version of the Taus. The reason
for its creation was predominantly due to the practicality of carrying
it for the soldiers and warriors who served in the army of the Tenth
Guru Sahib, as all soldiers kept their instruments with them at all
times.
Dilruba is also the easiest and lightest instrument to play and it is
incredible simple to understand.
It takes simply 10 minutes to pick up and start playing.
GURMAT SANGEET

The Tambura, Tanpura, Tamboura or Taanpura is a long-necked plucked lute (a stringed
instrument found in different forms and in many places). The body shape of the Tambura
somewhat resembles that of the sitar, but it has no frets – and the strings are played open.
One or more Tamburas may accompany other musicians or vocalists. It has four or five
(rarely six) wire strings, which are plucked one after another in a regular pattern to create
a harmonic resonance on the basic note (bourdon or drone function).
The Tambura, Tanpura, Tamboura or Taanpura is a long-necked plucked lute
(a stringed instrument found in different forms and in many places).
The body shape of the Tambura somewhat resembles that of the sitar,
but it has no frets – and the strings are played open.
One or more Tamburas may accompany other musicians or vocalists. It has four or five
(rarely six) wire strings, which are plucked one after another in a regular pattern to create
a harmonic resonance on the basic note (bourdon or drone function).
Tamburas come in different sizes and pitches: larger "males", smaller "females" for
vocalists, and a yet smaller version is used for accompanying Sitar or Sarod, called
Tamburi or Tanpuri.
GURMAT SANGEET
Tanpuri

An overview of historical instruments in gurmat sangeet ver.1

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