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Summary of Question:	Kirtan
Category:	Gurbani
Date Posted:	Sunday, 12/14/2003 10:01 PM MST

Hi,

The shabads in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib have been written in specific ragas, and so these hymns should be recited in these ragas. I have been doing kirtan for many years and I try to sing shabads in the ragas in which they were originally written. However, there are some people that base their tunes on hindi film tunes and just simple catchy tunes that are easy for the sangat to sing along with. I have heard very few people singing shabads as were meant to be sung. Is it ok for these people to use filmi tunes and catchy tunes?

Thanks

(REPLY) Sat Nam. Ideally, you are right, the shabds should be sung in the correct Rag. However, many people who play music don't have the training and knowledge to do that. So, when you ask if it's "OK" -- well, I think it depends upon the intention of those who sing. Certainly singing God's praises, even "incorrectly" is better than not singing them at all. There's a saying, "If you can't have best, make best of what you have." SP