What would you get on this site ?
Here you would find MP3 audio files of contemporary Gurmat Sangeet (raag keertan)(sikh spiritual music) recorded live at various Gurdwaras (sikh temples) in and around Toronto, Canada. The listener will be able to appreciate the beauty of Gurbani (Sikh religious scriptures compiled in the holy book called Sri Guru Granth Sahib, SGGS) and Gurmat Sangeet through these recordings.
The purpose
The purpose of sharing these recordings with the world is to propagate Gurbani through beautiful music in the purest* form, as prescribed by the Gurus (Sikh spiritual masters). It's a treasure and I hope it will be recognized as such by every listener.
Quality
Special efforts have been made to record the programs in high quality. MP3 format does not do full justice to the original recorded sound quality, but it is the only feasible option to share with the available resources. When played on a good speaker system or headphones, the listener will enjoy the full sound as heard in a studio album.
Rights and Permissions
All recordings hosted here are with the permission of the performers and the organizers of the respective programs. One may download for personal use and distribute them freely without any modification. One may not use these recordings for commercial purposes including but not limited to radio broadcast, internet broadcast and one may not host them on a website without explicit permission. The rights remain with the performers and the sound recordist. The Guru's Bani is for all, but one cannot simply discount the intellectual property rights of the performers and others involved in the recording process. Gurbani Sangeet is put up on this site with the belief that a person is free to come and listen to live keertan in a Gurdwara. It is highly recommended that people who wish to listen to keertan should attend the Gurdwara since being in the 'sangat' has its special significance. The people who perform shabad keertan in the Gurdwara also need encouragement from a live audience. I hope that these recordings will infuse in the listener the desire to come and listen to Gurbani Sangeet in the Gurdwara more often and be blessed.
Thanks to all the artists ('raagis' in the true sense) for keeping the Gurmat Sangeet alive through hard work of learning and performing keertan as 'seva'.
Dedication
This site is dedicated in the service of Sri Akal Purakh. The 'seva' of sound recording and photographs gets done by the grace of Almighty.
*Purest: Most keertan tracks here are performed in the raag as specified in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. There will be some exceptions.
NEW Discussion of shabads that appear on this website and others by our friend, composer and classical music researcher Shivpreet Singh. Check his blog here
Forthcoming Programs
Feb 14,10 am Sunday, Scarborough Gurdwara Main Hall, Basant special
To be on the mailing list or to participate in the programs please email, TorontoRaagDarbar [at] gmail.com
Program Listing (Recordings)
Jan 17 Dasmesh Darbar, Guru Gobind Singh ji special recorded.
Dec 19 2009, Regan Rd Gurdwara, Brampton Guru Gobind Singh ji special with Prof. Surinder Singh of U.K, Bhai Davinder Partap Singh, et al Available
Dec 12 2009 North York Gurdwara Guru Gobind Singh ji special
Nov 7 2009 Glidden Rd Gurdwara, Brampton Guru Nanak Sahib special with Bhai Davinder Partap Singh, Dr.Onkar Singh and others.
Oct 4 2009 Malton Gurdwara with Bhai Gulbagh Singh Devinder Singh, Bhai Davinder Partap Singh and others.
Sep 27 2009 Dasmesh Darbar Gurdwara
Aug 15 2009 Scarborough Gurdwara Malaar special
July 19 2009 Oakville Gurdwara
June 20 2009 Rexdale Gurdwara Partaal with Bhai Amrik Singh Zakhmi
May 17 2009 Rivalda Rd Gurdwara
April 18 2009 Gurdwara Sikh Sangat, Brampton
Mar 28 2009 Dasmesh Darbar, Gore Rd, Brampton
Feb 21 2009 Glidden Rd Gurdwara, Brampton Basant special
Jan 3 2009 Scarborough Gurdwara Guru Gobind Singh ji special
2008 Program listing: Click here