Craigieburn, Melbourne —A Basant Raag Darbar recital event was organized this past Saturday on 29th Feb 2020 by Bhai Mardana Gurmat Sangeet Academy at Gurdwara Sahib Craigieburn. The hymns, or shabads, were performed from the scripture of Guru Granth Sahib in Basant Raag, an ancient raag particular to spring, said to inspire a sense of serene bliss.
Approximately 100 academy students grouped in 18 jathas took part in this raag darbar.
Ustaad Satbir Singh, Music Teacher at Bhai Mardana Gurmat Sangeet Academy speaking on the occasion said Basant Raag has special significance in Gurmat Sangeet and signifies the joyous and blossoming state of mind when the internal self becomes God conscious.
Raag Darbar began at 6 pm and continued until 9:30 pm. Â Tanti saaj, or stringed instruments, were a highlight of the program. Many youth demonstrated their skill, and ability, as they performed kirtan, or devotional music, playing the traditional rhythms, and patterns of raag.
The Craigieburn Gurdwara Sahib have regular kirtan classes taught by Ustad Bhai Satbir Singh to train students and preserve the traditional kirtan form of raag.