Harjas: The Conservation of Divine Sikh Music
A Heritage Fund supported project led by Sangat Trust to preserve, repair and celebrate Sikh musical heritage.
Preservation of Sikh Music
Harjas Project
We are thrilled to announce that Harjas: The Conservation of Divine Sikh Music has been awarded by the Heritage Fund.
Harjas refers to the singing of divine praise or kirtan (devotional music practiced in the Sikh tradition). Sangat Trust is launching Harjas to safeguard and share the rich, unique heritage of divine Sikh music in the UK. This project addresses the risk that this tradition - rooted in oral traditions, sacred instruments, and community practice - is being lost due to skills shortages around instrument repair and the loss of knowledge and experience held within our elderly communities.
What the Project Will Do
This project upskills heritage enthusiasts through a practical training programme focused on Oral History and Sikh Instrument Repair.
The Oral History cohort will learn how to plan and conduct ethical, culturally sensitive interviews with Sikh elders, recording and preserving lived experiences of Sikh musical heritage in the UK. Participants will work directly with community members to capture, translate and transcribe oral histories.
A parallel Instrument Repair cohort will explore Sikh instrument history, design and repair, developing practical skills while deepening understanding of their cultural and spiritual significance.
The project will also host instrument repair diagnostic surgeries, inviting the wider community to have their sacred instruments assessed and revived. Learning from both cohorts will be shared through a public programme, enabling wider engagement with Sikh musical heritage.
Join the Mission
The project is a pivotal step in ensuring a lasting legacy for the preservation of divine Sikh musical heritage in the UK, and we welcome and thank all who come to join us on this journey.
Information Session at Sangat Television
Thank you to everyone who attended our information session on Sunday 14 December 2025. We truly appreciate you taking the time to join us, ask questions, and learn more about the work at Sangat Television.
For those who were unable to attend, please stay tuned for details of our next information session, which will be announced soon. We also encourage anyone interested in getting involved to explore our current volunteer opportunities.