For Guru Nanak, music was a means of connecting with the almighty, not merely entertainment. He saw it as a powerful tool to open the heart to the divine, a concept central to Sikh practice, especially through kirtan – the devotional singing of hymns. Kirtan, set to Indian classical ragas, is considered a meditative act, helping worshippers transcend ego and connect with the universe. This use of raga reflects the importance of music in his message, creating a rhythmic meditation aligned with naam simran (remembrance of God).
Kirpal Panesar demystifies the philosophy of Guru Nanak, with demonstrations of the sacred verses and some of the 31 ragas. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to witness Panesar bring the ancient art form to life – the haunting melodies of the esraj will leave you enchanted and inspired.
Musicians:
Kirpal Panesar (esraj)
The beginner's guide to Indian classical music. Whether you’re completely new to raga music or just need a refresher, we’ve put together this brief overview of all things raga music to help you feel at ease when visiting one of our concerts or watch our videos on our YouTube or our Darbar Concert Hall.
Keep up to date with the latest news, events, music and musings across our social channels
For hundreds more clips and shorts, vist our YT page here 
