Shabad Kirtan

Shabad Kirtan is the Sikh devotional singing of the Gurbani — the Guru’s word (shabad) set to raga and sung in the gurdwara’s presence, the central act of Sikh worship after the scripture’s recitation itself.

Overview

The Gurus’ own institution (Guru Nanak with Bhai Mardana’s rabab — the founding image; the ragas of the Guru Granth Sahib — the scripture organized by musical mode); the ragi jathas (the professional singing parties) and the congregation’s joining; the harmonium-and-tabla era’s evolution (the modern instrumentation debate).

Ritual

The singing of the shabads from the scripture (the ragi’s selection for the day); the audience’s participation (the refrain’s repetition); the kirtan’s place in the diwan (the service between the scripture’s open recitation and the ardas).

Significance

The theology of the Word (the shabad as the Guru — singing it is receiving the Guru’s voice); the musical canon (31 ragas, the Gurbani’s metrical forms — the barah mahas and the chhants among the poetic structures); the global kirtan scene (the diaspora’s ragi training academies).

Verification notes

• The raga-organization of the scripture and the institution’s history are documented.
• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).