In a ground breaking celebration of culture and music, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) Centre hosted the launch of the first internationally recognised Sikh Sacred Music syllabus. This milestone event brought together music enthusiasts, cultural advocates, and prominent artists to witness the integration of Sikh sacred music into the universal eight-grade music system.
The initiative, led by Dr. Harjinder Singh Lallie, marks a new chapter in the preservation and promotion of Sikh musical heritage. The syllabus, now offering students the chance to study six traditional string instruments – the Dilruba, Taus, Esraj, Tarshehnai, Sarangi, and Saranda – as part of a formal grading system, allows students to earn UCAS points, further enhancing the recognition of Sikh music within academic institutions.
Speaking to a captivated audience, Dr. Lallie shared his vision of making Sikh sacred music accessible on an international level, emphasizing the importance of preserving this centuries-old tradition while adapting it for modern times. “This syllabus is not just about music,” Dr. Lallie remarked. “It is about connecting generations, fostering cultural understanding, and empowering young musicians to excel academically and artistically.”
The evening also featured live demonstrations by renowned artists, who showcased the beauty and complexity of these traditional instruments. Attendees were enthralled by the soul-stirring performances, which brought the essence of Sikh sacred music to life.
The syllabus’ integration into the eight-grade system ensures that students worldwide can study these instruments with the same academic rigor as Western classical music. This inclusion not only elevates the status of Sikh sacred music globally but also ensures its survival and relevance for future generations.
As Dr. Lallie concluded his address, he invited the community to embrace this opportunity, not just as a cultural initiative but as a movement to bring people together through the universal language of music.
Dr Lallie, the co-director of the Gurmat Sangeet academy based in Birmingham, spearheaded the idea and said it will enable more pupils studying Sikh sacred music to be recognised and appreciated for their talents.
“I’ve felt that the music, the Kirtan, needs rigour, relevance and value,” he said. “Rigour in the sense that the syllabus needs to be rigorous, coordinated, coherent … relevant to the world. We’ve got violin exams, piano exams, and Kirtan deserves to be the same.”
Dr Lallie, who has studied Kirtan for more than 40 years and teaches about 130 pupils, added: “We’ve got kids learning Kirtan all over the UK, all over the world. We want those kids to earn something out of it … to feel that what they’ve done has been valued.”
With limited spaces for the event, the response was overwhelming, highlighting the growing global interest in Sikh sacred music. The launch is expected to spark further collaborations and initiatives to promote Sikh heritage and foster greater cultural appreciation worldwide.
For those who missed the event, additional workshops and resources are planned for the coming months. This syllabus is now a stepping stone to building bridges through music and culture.
