Sikh Celebrations in the 21st Century
These thoughts and observations are being expressed after careful consideration following this year’s and previous years’ annual celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurab in November and Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtans in April. I’m examining the idea that we might make serious analysis and reflections regarding the way we express our faith in the 21st century. Are we expressing the essence of the Sikh Faith as our Guru Ji’s would wish in the public arena during our Nagar Kirtans?
The Southall Nagar Kirtan on 7th November this year was attended by many thousands. One was bemused to see more people at the food stalls between Park Avenue and The Broadway than at Havelock Road Gurudwara, where the Nagar Kirtan was to start. Perhaps we should ask ourselves the real reason for attendance at such an occasion. Are we there to sing the praises of Waheguru as guided by Guru Sahib Jis or for the indulgence of our taste buds?
There is langar provided at the gurudwara as well as at the closing ceremony. The question arises, do we need any food and drink on route? While one appreciates the nature of the sewa being provided by shops and restaurant owners, we need to look at the bigger picture. There is a huge amount of food wastage resulting from people throwing away food because they have eaten already. The throwing of langar in bin bags is against Sikh Maryada and inhumane when so many people struggle to have a decent daily meal.
In addition, it creates the need for environmental clean-up which has a cost. We are encouraged by the councils to reduce waste, not to increase rubbish which is not recyclable.
The Nagar Kirtans, whether to mark Gurpurab or the Vaisakhi’s founding of the Khalsa Panth, have become huge affairs. Let us all reflect upon the REAL meaning and ESSENCE of a Nagar Kirtan. We need to remind ourselves of its SPIRITUAL beginnings to maintain its purity. We must guard ourselves against it becoming a carnival-like event.
Perhaps we should ask ourselves whether our beloved Satgurus taught that their lives should be remembered by our current practices. When did the idea of Nagar Kirtan begin and when in early Sikh history did the practice of Akhand Paath to mark Gurpurabs begin?
Akhand Paath and Gurpurab celebration
Let us ask ourselves the question, when and how did the reading of Guru Granth Sahib Ji begin for Gurpurab celebrations? Researching this topic has pointed to the origin being as far back as the18th century. During that turbulent period of the Sikh history, when Guru’s Sikhs faced torture and persecution and the Sikhs were driven to hiding in forests, reading the Holy Scriptures from beginning to end was not easy. It was a rare boon if achieved.
It is believed that after completing the writing of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Guru Arjun Dev Ji listened to the entire recitation. This was the first Akhand Paath.
In 1742 Bibi Sundari, a brave Sikh female warrior, lay wounded during a battle. She arranged that Guru Granth Sahib be read to her during her final hours. She breathed her last breath after the completion of recitation of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Thus began the tradition of reading of the scriptures in 48 hours.
According to historical records, Guru HarGobind Sahib Ji had Akhand Paath after his wife’s death.
Akhand Paath to celebrate “Gurpurab” began thereafter. Some records show that Gurus who succeeded Guru Nanak Dev Ji celebrated his birthday. Thus the general practice of Akhand Patth to mark remembrance and celebration of all important events began.
It is of utmost importance that the Akhand Paath is recited to a congregation…..there should be a minimum of say 12 people instead of an empty darbar.
The origins of Nagar Kirtan and its initial purpose
The origins of Nagar Kirtan are rooted in an old tradition called “PRABHAT PHERI”. It is believed that the earliest Prabhat Pheri took place at the time of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji’s imprisonment in Gwalior Fort. Baba Buddha Ji led a Prabhat Pheri or procession around the fort as a sign of protest, to raise the spirits of Guru Ji’s followers and to express his love for the detained Guru Sahib Ji. It was a highly spiritual concept as Baba Buddha Ji and the followers sang Shabad Gurbani to express their love and support for Guru Ji.
This early tradition is being resurrected in many villages in the Punjab now. It takes place at Amrit Vela. The villagers go round singing shabads accompanied by harmonium, dholki and bells. It affords people the opportunity to enjoy the bliss of singing Lord’s praises at Amrit Vela through the ghalis. Essentially its focus is SPIRITUAL, praising Waheguru Ji and taking messages of God to the doorsteps of the community.
Sant Baba Attar Singh Ji Mustuanewale promoted Nagar Kirtan on a large scale at the beginning of the 20th century with the sole purpose of uniting the Sikh Panth and facilitating Gurmat Parchar. In the 1970’s memorable Nagar Kirtans were organised in Punjab by Sant Kartar Singh Ji Bhindranwale to promote Sikh Guru Sahib Ji’s teachings.
The current picture of Nagar Kirtan
What has happened to that simple practice of singing Lord’s praises at Amrit Vela in the last two decades of the 20th century and up to now?
Nagar Kirtans are participated in on a massive scale and have become more and more commercial FANFARES, with local business’s promoting their enterprises. The route is lined with marquees offering the Sangat their specialities, e.g. pizza, fruit chaat, samosas, channas, pakoras, etc. etc. There is no end to the culinary delights offered by the restaurants and shops to satisfy our taste buds. IT HAS BECOME MORE OF A FOOD FAYRE. One wonders how much food the Sangat can consume in a period of few hours of the duration of the Nagar Kirtan! The Sangat is being encouraged to accept the variety of foods instead of focusing on the REAL PURPOSE of attending the Nagar Kirtan.
Essentially the langar should be simple food, not delicacies to satisfy our taste buds. Langar is also offered to Guru Sahib Ji first and blessed. How can we be sure that the food offered in streets is langar in this respect?
The atmosphere of Nagar Kirtans has become similar to that of carnivals. Someone commented that the flag bearers have increased numerically that it is more akin to football ground flag waving. Sections of the procession are entertained by Bhangra groups and Gatka performances.
I am simply appealing that we must keep the distinction between a “mela” and nagar kirtan. Many towns also hold Vaisakhi Melas now. The sole focus of the mela is entertainment whereas the nagar kirtan should be purely shabad kirtan rendition.
The Sangat of the whole procession should be devotedly singing SHABADS with the Gianis and promote their spiritual essence. Whether we are in the gurdwara or at a Nagar Kirtan, we Sikhs are passive listeners rather than actively engaged in Shabad Kirtan. We seem to lose our ability to sing even when the Ragi Jatha invite the sangat to join in singing. Why are we so shy or negligent? Do we not see it as our natural duty to sing Waheguru Ji’s praises.
Do we benefit spiritually by attending Nagar Kirtans when our focus is on having a good time and chatting with friends?
Let us learn from the Christian church congregations where everybody sings hymns with great enthusiasm and gusto. All Sikhs should follow our Guru Sahib Ji singing shabads so that the streets are resonating with Gurbani.
Clearly the Nagar Kirtan, also previously known as “jhaloos,” is a significant way of celebrating in the Sikh faith. It promotes friendship, mutual understanding and respect for each other and provides an opportunity to demonstrate core Sikh values of EQUALITY, COMMUNAL HARMONY and religious tolerance.
The way forward
Let’s prepare for 2017 events now and make the celebrations more SPIRITUAL in nature. Perhaps it could be the responsibility of the Gurudwara Committees to approach and persuade the shop and restaurant owners not to distribute food but instead contribute the equivalent SEWA to Sikh charities engaged in alleviating poverty and ill health around the world. The Sikh TV Channels and media can play a role in this respect. It is the duty and responsibility of each and everyone associated with organising and publicising the events to effectively bring about a higher awareness of the TRUE ESSENCE of the celebration. As a humble observer, I urge everyone to get actively involved in promoting this objective.
Let our motto be “FEED OUR SOULS!”