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
The project is focused on upskilling heritage enthusiasts through a structured training programme across Oral History and Instrument Repair. Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn about the techniques, ethics and planning of interviews with Sikh elders, with a separate cohort being offered an opportunity to learn about instrument history, anatomy, design, and repair across a range of Sikh instruments.
We will also facilitate instrument repair diagnostic surgeries for the wider community to have their sacred Sikh instruments examined and brought to life, and there will be opportunities to engage with the work of the cohort through a vibrant public programme.
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
To find out more about this project, there will be an open information session on Sunday 14 December, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, held at the Sangat TV studios.