Our mission
Our mission is to preserve and promote the legacy of the Sikh musical heritage by passing the knowledge on to our future generation.
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We are filming a documentary because
- We want to keep this incredible treasure of Sikh music alive. Many Sikhs are unaware of the tradition of Sikh music and its healing power.
- We want to share the wonderful and powerful story of Sikh music and the instruments created by the Gurus.
- The present generation is unaware of how rich Sikh musical history is.
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We are spreading this knowledge by sharing Sikh music across the world by practicing with the instruments from the heart of Sikh history.
- We teach children and adults how to play these instruments and sing the hymns of Guru Granth Sahib in the specified way.
- We aim to inspire people to preserve this powerful knowledge for current and future generations
- Through the film we can reach all corners of the world. To bring a wider awareness of the wonders of Sikh music and the Sikh muscial heritage.
Filming will take place in: India, UK, and USA
Sultanpur - Guru Nanak & establishment of Rabab
Amritsar - Guru Hargobind Ji & to sing the Sikh Ballads (vaars) at the Akaal Takht
Goindwal Sahib - Guru Arjan Dev ji & Creation of Saranda
Anandpur Sahib - Guru Gobind Singh & practice of Taus and Dilruba
New Delhi - Instrument maker and elite artisan to show how the Sikh instruments are crafted
London- Research & Musuem Curators
New York- Academics & Musuem Curators
Michigan- Revival
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Witness the birth of our Sikh musical heritage
- Bebe Nanaki started the tradition of Kirtan by gifting Guru Nanak Dev ji a Rabab.
- Guru Arjan Dev ji, the fifth guru, compiled the “Adi Granth” (all hymns of the previous gurus) within a musical frame, to be sung and understood with music.
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Discover the healing power & influence of Sikh music
- Sikh music has the power to cleanse your inner perception, heal and awaken the highest potential within; to help live a happy, healthy, prosperous, and fulfilling life.
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Combining the prescribed Raags of the Gurus with the original instruments provide elevation, holistic healing, and spiritual growth.
- Awaken the infinite energy within using the sacred sound of Sikh music.
See and hear the instruments of the Sikh Gurus
The Rabab of Guru Nanak followed him as his shadow for over 27 years on
his travels around the world, played by his beloved companion Bhai
Mardana.
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The Saranda was designed, created, and also played by the Fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev
Ji. He instructed his followers to practice and share the singing of
sacred shabads with these instruments to elevate the soul to merge with
the Creator.
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The Jori is a percussion instrument which was created in the court of the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev ji by two musicians, Satta and Balwand. This instrument was made by cutting a double-barrel drum, named Mridang, in to two, creating the Jori.
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This ancient instrument was created to sing the praise of the Creator. Over time its purpose was diluted into petty entertainment. The sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib, brought the Sarangi back to the spiritual arena it once belonged and promoted it to sing the 22 ballads (Vaars) from the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
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The Taus is the blessing of the Tenth Master of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. As a master of the Persian language, Guru Gobind Singh named this glorious instrument 'Taus' which is Persian for Peacock. This was an instrument which was designed and played by the great Guru himself to guide us by example.
The sound of this instrument is wonderfully melodious taking you to a complete heavenly state, where you can feel the warmth of the universe.
This instrument is played with a bow and is hand crafted from one piece of high quality wood (Tunn wood). This is one instrument which requires a vast amount of hard work, effort and craftsmanship to produce such a graceful instrument.
Dilruba was also blessed by the Tenth Guru, Gobind Singh Ji, it is an instrument which he designed and created. Dilruba is Persian for 'Heart Stealer', the instrument itself has a wonderfully enchanting sound which takes away your heart in an instance.
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The Dilruba is a smaller and modified version of the Taus. The reason for its creation was predominantly due to the practicality of carrying it for the warriors who served in the army of the Tenth Guru Sahib, as all soldiers kept their instruments with them at all times. The Taus had storage issues due to its size and the Dilruba resolved these issues for the Sikhs as it is much smaller in size and much cheaper to produce compared to the Taus. This instrument was used by Mata Sundri to practice and teach Kirtan.
The Impact - Your Contribution Will:
- Help preserve and promote Sikh muscial heritage.
- Educate all about the Sikh music and instruments.
- Pass the knowledge to current and future generation.
- Inspire all to understand and connect with the art of Sikh music
A Little About Us
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Founded in 1994, we are a registered 501 (c)3 non-profit in the state of Michigan, on a mission to educate, encourage and inspire students of the sacred art and science of spiritual music.
Our aim is to make a difference by teaching and sharing this art in order to safeguard its preservation for generations to come. We aspire to create world class teachers and master musicologists, to re-establish the missing link in current practices through education.
Professor Surinder Singh -Founder and President of Raj Academy
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Professor Surinder Singh, born in Kapurthala, Punjab, started his journey of divine sound at the tender age of 13, through inspiration from his first teacher, his grandmother. His vision is to reveal the joyous spiritual teachings of Guru Nanak in the manner in which they were intended.
In 1994 he founded Raj Academy as a platform to educate the wider communities about the power and wealth of Sikh Music, through his extensive work and dedication to revive and preserve Sikh Music he has set up branches of Raj Academy in the UK, USA and Canada.
His humble vision of peace, humanity, happiness and beacons of love experienced through Sikh music is the gift that he wants to share through the message of Shabad Guru.
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Jasvir Kaur - Manager
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Jasvir, began her journey of Sikh Music in 2003, she completed her academic education in Sikh Music by achieving a B.Mus in Sikh Music and MA in Naad Yoga from Thames Valley University (now known as University of West London)
She has since dedicated her full attention to the field of Sikh Music revival, travelling worldwide to teach and share the art of expression through education and performances. She also manages the daily operations at the Raj Academy and actively supports the development of new projects and endeavours to take Sikh Music farther and wider such as this initiative of the documentary project.
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How Funds Will Be Used
We are a registered 501(c)3 non-profit. That means we are very careful with how we spend the money. Your contribution will go a long way to help preserve the Sikh Musical heritage.
Our cost involves:
- Story editing by professional story editor.
- Film crew & equipment: Two cameras and sound operators; one director and one producer.
- Video and sound editing.
- Graphics designer.
- Travel, lodging, and food.
Timeline
We would like to complete filming through the summer. The co-ordination involves arranging travel for the film crew, location scouting, and filming. It will take couple of months to edit the film. The debut will be held at the Sikhlens Arts Festival on November, 2015 in California, USA.
Risks & Challenges
We have been teaching and promoting Sikh music since 1994. We have the expertise, knowledge, and confidence to complete this project.
Running a non-profit has its challenges and risks. There is a risk of not having enough funds to complete the project. Other risks are out of our control such as environmental or natural in nature. However, the risks are manageable.
This project is important for our community and for our future generation. We are committed to successfully complete this project with your help.
Other Ways You Can Help
You can help by telling your family and friends. Share our story. Share what we are trying to do and why. We are very passionate about this project. And we know that you are too.
Join us on this journey to create a wider awareness about the beauty, power and wealth of Sikh Music. Help us to preserve and revive this sacred gift of our Gurus and share it with our future and current generations.
