Gurbani spreads the message of sacrifice, brotherhood and love: Alankar Singh

Alankar Singh, a celebrated Gurbani and Gurmat Sangeet vocalist, practices this form of folk singing that originated in Punjab and calls it his way of life. After his recent soulful performance in the city at SPIC MACAY’s 9th International Convention, he talked to us about performing in the city, more on Gurbani, and how it ‘completes’ him...
ON PERFORMING IN CHENNAI
I have been to Chennai many times, but it was my first experience performing in IIT.Events that have so many different kinds of performances do such a great job of connecting the younger generation with our roots. It is very nice to perform in the South; people here are very warm and welcoming. Guru Nanak ji also travelled to Tamil Nadu once, so to perform here is a special experience.
‘SINGING GURBANI IS A VERY ENLIGHTENING EXPERIENCE’
I’m a music professor and I think when children are directly connected with their gurus, it certainly changes their lives. So, as musicians, we are happy to do our part and give our best performances. With Gurbani, we are trying to convey the messages of the Sikh gurus. It is basically Punjabi. Gurumukhi script is the vani in which the gurus recited their sayings. It spreads the universal message of brotherhood, love, sacrifice and peace. We are trying to pass on this message to the next generation. It is a very enlightening experience for us. Gurbani says that all religions are equal, we should love all humans. It preaches hard work, reminds us of the need to share and reciting the name of the god.
‘WE HAVE TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE BRAHMAMUHURAT’
In Punjabi, we call Brahmamuhurat as the Amrit Vela. It is a time that is full of life and lasts from 4am to 7am. Anything you do during this period will be fruitful and so we have to utilise this period properly by practicing music, studying, doing exercise, or anything one feels like doing truthfully. I practice my music at this time, it is a very peaceful and beautiful feeling.
‘I listen to everyone and all kinds of music’
I listen to a lot of Hindustani classical and artistes like Pandit Venkatesh Kumar ji, Ashwini Bhide ji, Ustad Amir Khan, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Vidushi Girija Devi ji. I listen to everyone and all kinds of music. Our gurus tell us, to listen to everyone and learn from everything around us.