ARCHIVED FORUM: Gurdwara Tapoban Sahib
Meaning of Raags
Posted by : Jagjit Singh
Date: 7/09/2004 10:00 am
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
Dear sadh sangat,
Whilst reading and trying to understand Gurbani, I see the shabads are written in different Raags. For example Raag Kalyaan, Raag Purakh.
There are many Raags and the word following "Raag" must have different meanings, also do these Raags have an affect on the Gurbani that proceeds them? in terms of - in which context should the Shabad be read and understand.
where can I find what the words mean? as the translations just have the same word following "Raag" spelt in english!!
please guide me, thank you
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
Re: Meaning of Raags
Posted by : A Singh
Date: 7/09/2004 12:22 pm
Jagjit singh,
Raags are indeed very important for Sikhs as Guru Maharaj is full of Raags! If we accept Shabds as Hukam, then clearly so too are the Raags, unfortunately this is something lost on the vast majority of today's Sikhs.
For a good insight into Raag, I would personally not recommend looking for Sikh sites, since the information is preliminary and very basic, as unfortunately the events unfolding over the past 100 or so years have led to a severe decline within Sikh circles of Sangeet vidiya, beyond simple folk-based "reets".
Even Ragi Singhs that I personally admire (for instance Bhai Balbir Singh, Bhai Avtar Singh Ragi etc), whilst being the foremost of "sikh" sangeetkars, are far from the likes of Pandit Jasraj, Pandits Rajan & Sajan Misra or great Ustads like Bade Gulam Ali Khan etc.
I anticipate me saying all of this will invoke some negative sentiments, however, I merely express my opinion and if people can show me to the contrary with regard to present-day Sikh Ragis and Keertanias, I shall gladly accept any error.
For looking further into Raags with some more authentic technicality, consider the following website:
www.itcsra.org
Hope this helps,
A Singh.
