KEERTAN (Kirtan)
Keertan means: ‘to sing the Keerat (praise)’; in Sikhism it means to sing the praise of God.
Keertan is the best form of remembering and praising the Excellences of God. It means attaching one’s soul to the Supreme Soul (i.e. God). Extreme expressions of love make a man’s soul joyful. This is best expressed by performing Keertan. But Keertan is different from music in general. Music in general may lead to sensuous feelings whereas Keertan leads one’s soul nearer to the feeling of having a glimpse of the vision of God.
Most of the Sikh hymns have been composed to be sung according to specified raags (tunes). But, in Sikhism, Shabad (Word) is primary and not the raag, alaap (modulation of voice in singing) or taan (aria, cadenza).
No dance or clapping is allowed during, before or after the keertan. Keertan cannot be performed on film tunes.
For a Sikh, Keertan is a part of his daily life. Every Sikh is expected to himself perform Keertan. In their shrines and congregations, the Sikhs sing hymns from Guru Granth Sahib.
Nowadays, Keertan is generally accompanied with harmonium, drums and sometimes with the other instruments like rabaab (rebec), sitaar, guitar etc. There is no restriction of use of any musical; but, harmonium is not a Sikh musical instrument. It was an instrument of the beggars in the western world. Rebec, Saarandaa, Iktaaraa etc were the musical instruments used during the time of Guru Sahib.
According to Rahitmaryada, only a Sikh can perform Keertan for Sangat.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)