NAGAR KEERTAN
[Nagar=(town+keertan=singing (of hymns)]: to sing hymns, in a procession, down the streets of a village/town. It is one of the latest additions to the Sikh celebrations. Before the twentieth century, such processions were almost unknown (the only Nagar Keertan, that finds a place in the Sikh history, was taken out during the time of Guru Gobind Singh, on the occasion of Hola/Halla Mohalla, at Anandpur Sahib, in March 1703.).
During Nagar Keertan, the Sikhs take out a procession throughout the streets and roads of a pre-decided route. Guru Granth Sahib leads the procession (nowadays Guru Granth Sahib does not lead but it is the last vehicle of the procession).
The raagis (hymn singers) and the common folk sing hymns throughout the route of the procession. Besides, the slogans of high spirits are also raised along with chants of ‘Akaal Akaal Akaal’ and ‘bole so nihaal, sat sti akaal’ etc.
The float of Guru Granth Sahib, all the vehicles accompanying the procession and the roads of whole of the route are nicely decorated.
It is different from a protest procession. In protest processions, there are no such decorations. Slogans of protest, the high spirits and the Sikh goal are chanted in the protest processions.
Also see: Jaloos.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)