PUNJABI REVIEW
For the Gurus
Surinder Singh Tej

Gurmat Sangeet Darpan
by Prof Kartar Singh
Dharam Prachar Committee, SGPC, Amritsar
Pages 423. Rs 90

PRofessor Kartar Singh’s is an illustrious name in Gurmat Sangeet. Despite his early grounding from traditional ragis, he developed a passion for classical Indian music. This helped him to evolve a distinct style of singing with traditional string instruments, especially the tanpura, and rendering shabads purely in the ragas prescribed by the Gurus. Humble and reticent to a fault, but principled to the core, Kartar Singh avoided crass commercialism despite being solely dependent on the kirtan for subsistence during his days of struggle. Financial constraints and a lack of recognition did not deter him.

He kept on pursuing higher studies in music as doggedly as his daily riaz, attained several degrees and was duly rewarded with lecturership in a reputed Ludhiana college. Later on, he joined another college as head of the music department. This innings lasted for more than 30 years. Now, in his seventies, he continues to impart finer nuances of Gurbani sangeet to his numerous students.

Recently, when the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) decided to revive the rendering of kirtan with traditional string instruments at Harmandar Sahib, he was asked to initiate the new campaign — an honour this veteren hymn singer relished by mesmerising the sangat, as well a huge TV audience, with his mellifluous voice and vast repertoire.

This is the second book written by Kartar Singh on Gurmat sangeet. The volume, a product of 15 years of painstaking effort, is meant for the students of music. It is a guide to singing shabads in 15 of 31 ragas prescribed in Guru Granth Sahib. There are musical notations for more than 300 shabads. Information regarding the origin and importance of each raga is also provided. In sum, an extremely productive work for both the initiated and amateurs. The SGPC, too, deserves kudos for commissioning and backing up this superlative venture.

Mera Bachpan Meriyan Yadan
by Sukhdev Singh Grewal
Unistar Books, Chandigarh
Pages 48. Rs 50

Sukhdev Singh Grewal is a noted Punjabi poet who tries his hand at prose too. Penning children’s literature is his favourite hobby. Mera Bachpan Meriyan Yadaan is a collection of 10 short stories for adolescents. Most of the stories are biographical in nature and carry the earthy flavour and fragrance of rural Punjabi life. Grewal tries to build a bridge between the unspoilt, simple past and modernised, complicated present. Bhoot, Mangu, and Nanka Mel are especially noteworthy in this respect. The collection, however, suffers from the lack of spontaneity in craft and characterisation. This makes the whole endeavour somewhat listless.

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