蜜芽传媒

There鈥檚 a musical revolution underway at a school in the English Midlands. It鈥檚 part of an effort to bring back the instruments used in Kirtan (Sikh devotional music) at the time of the Sikh Gurus. In the heyday of the Sikh Empire, Kirtan - Sikh hymns - were performed using stringed instruments such as the sarangi, rabab and taus. The rich, complex tones these instruments create are said to evoke a deeper connection to Waheguru (God). But in the late 18th and early 19th century, these traditional instruments were replaced by European imports like the harmonium. Now a new generation of diaspora Sikhs is painstakingly rebuilding that musical heritage - restoring scores and gathering to teach and learn traditional instruments. In 2022, the Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority for Sikhs, signalled a revival of stringed instruments in the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine. But can they attract and train up enough musicians to put strings back at the heart of Sikh worship? Monika Plaha meets these musical pioneers and finds out how their beliefs fuel their work and how their music shapes their faith. Produced by Rachel Briggs and Ajai Singh for the 蜜芽传媒 World Service. Presenter: Monika Plaha