PSEB SS Gurmat Sangeet flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Gurmat Sangeet

The Sikh system of sacred music established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, using kirtan as the primary medium for the Shabad, distinct from courtly music because its purpose is spiritual realization.

Adi Granth compilation

Compiled by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in 1604, it arranged shabads by raag, codifying the raag framework of Sikh kirtan and preserving the compositions of the Gurus and Bhagats.

Bhai Mardana

The companion of Guru Nanak Dev Ji who played the rabab during the Guru's travels (udasis), carrying kirtan across the subcontinent and beyond.

Thirty-one raags

The Guru Granth Sahib is arranged into 31 raags, beginning with Sri Raag and Majh and ending with Jaijavanti; each raag section contains shabads by the Gurus and Bhagats.

Raag Asa time

Raag Asa is associated with the early morning (first prahar of the day); it is one of the most prominent raags in the Guru Granth Sahib and is sung at dawn.

Kirtan maryada

The code of practice for Sikh kirtan: correct raag, correct pronunciation, correct taal, devotion, and the use of traditional instruments where possible.

Raag definition

A melodic framework characterized by a specific set of swaras, aroh, avroh, pakad, vadi, samvadi, and a prescribed time (prahar) for performance.

Raag Bilaval

A raag with all shuddha swaras, aroh S R G M P D N S, avroh S N D P M G R S, vadi Dha, samvadi Ga, associated with the afternoon and the Bilaval thaat.

Raag Bhairo

A morning raag of the Bhairav thaat with komal Re and komal Dha, aroh S r G M P d N S, avroh S N d P M G r S, vadi Ma, samvadi Sa.

Raag Sorath

An evening raag of the Khamaj thaat, aroh S R M P N S, avroh S N D M G R S, vadi Re, samvadi Pa, sung in the evening.

Raag Basant

A spring-season morning raag of the Purvi thaat, aroh S G M d r S, avroh S N d P M G r S, vadi Ma, samvadi Sa.

Thaat system

The Bhatkhande classification of raags into ten parent scales: Bilaval, Khamaj, Kafi, Asavari, Bhairavi, Bhairav, Kalyan, Marwa, Purvi, and Todi.

Jaati classification

Raags are classified by the number of notes in aroh and avroh: sampurna (7), shadav (6), audav (5); a raag can be sampurna-sampurna, shadav-sampurna, audav-audav, etc.

Poorvang and uttarang

Raags are classified as poorvang-vadi (emphasizing Sa to Ma) or uttarang-vadi (emphasizing Pa to Sa); this affects the development (vistar) of the raag.

Taal definition

The rhythmic framework of Indian music, defined by matra (beat), vibhag (division), tali (clap), khali (wave), and theka (the rhythmic pattern).

Keharva taal

An 8-matra taal with vibhags 4+4, tali on 1 and 5, khali on 5; theka: dha ge na ti, na ka dhi na; common in Sikh kirtan.

Jhaptal

A 10-matra taal with vibhags 2+3+2+3, tali on 1, 3, 8, khali on 6; theka: dhi na, dhi dhi na, ti na, dhi dhi na.

Chautal

A 12-matra taal with vibhags 2+2+2+2+2+2, tali on 1, 5, 9, 11, khali on 3, 7; theka: dha dha din ta, kit dha, din ta, tete kata, gadi gene.

Sam

The first beat of a taal; the singer and percussionist must arrive at sam together, and the shabad's rhythmic structure is aligned with the taal's vibhags.

Swar

The seven basic notes: Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni; Sa and Pa are achala (immovable), while Re, Ga, Ma, Dha, Ni have komal and tivra variants.

Sargam

The solfège system of Indian music: Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni; used for teaching, notation, and vocal exercises (palte).

Swaralipi

Indian notation: uppercase for shuddha swaras, lowercase for komal, a line above for tivra; a dot above indicates the upper octave, a dot below the lower octave.

Rabab

A plucked string instrument with a hollow wooden body, long neck, and parchment-covered resonator; 5-6 strings played with a wooden plectrum; associated with Bhai Mardana.

Saranda

A bowed string instrument with a hollow wooden body, long neck, and parchment-covered resonator; 3-4 main strings and sympathetic strings; associated with Guru Arjan Dev Ji.

Taus

A bowed string instrument shaped like a peacock, with a long neck and resonator; 3-4 main strings played with a bow; associated with Guru Hargobind Ji.

Jori

A pair of drums (larger and smaller) played with the hands; the traditional percussion instrument of Sikh kirtan, associated with Guru Arjan Dev Ji.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Founder of Sikhism (1469-1539), composed the Japji Sahib and other shabads, and established kirtan as the primary mode of devotion, accompanied by Bhai Mardana on the rabab.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji

Compiled the Adi Granth in 1604, arranged shabads by raag, composed the Sukhmani Sahib, and is associated with the saranda in Sikh kirtan tradition.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji

Founded the Khalsa in 1699, composed the Dasam Granth, and established the tradition of kirtan in the Khalsa; associated with the rabab and the taus.

Shabad uchcharan

Correct pronunciation of the shabad text; incorrect pronunciation changes the meaning and is considered disrespectful, so the singer must learn Gurmukhi pronunciation and intonation.

Kirtan posture

In the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib: remove shoes, cover the head, sit on the floor, maintain a respectful posture, and do not turn one's back to the Guru Granth Sahib.

Laya

Tempo in kirtan; the shabad should be sung at the correct laya, and the percussionist and singer must coordinate to arrive at sam together.