Kids Corner

Above: Parvinder Kaur. Below, first from bottom: A craftsman carving out a new sarangi.

Music

The Sarangi and The Crusader

by MANAV MANDER

 

 

dhaaddi - ballad singer

kaveeshar - composer and/or reciter of folk poetry

[dictionary]

 

She is committed to preserve the dying art form, ‘dhaaddi kaveeshri’.

Generally it’s men who perform this traditional form of song and music,  but Parvinder Kaur is an exception in this league. She is dedicated to promoting this art form and even training young girls. Not only this, she is also an expert in the martial art of gatka.

Parvinder was inspired by her maternal grandfather who, too, was a ‘kavishri’.

“I used to see my grandfather doing ‘kavishri’. Since childhood I always wanted to become like him. I took training from Ajiab Singh Chandan and also performed at various kirtan darbars,” she added.

Her parents always supported and encouraged her to preserve the art form. She not only sings but is a lyricist too.

“I write the compositions myself. Sometimes it is based on religion while on other occasions it is the current social scenario which I depict through my ‘kavishri’,” adds Parvinder.

The problem of drug addiction, dowry, corruption and female foeticide are a few of social issues that she tries to highlight through her compositions. Presently teaching at the Sikh Senior Secondary School for Girls she also teaches them the art of ‘kavishri’.

“I also teach my students the kavishri and gatka. Students regularly perform it during the various functions organized in the school,” she adds with a smile.

Expressing concern over the traditional art forms losing their sheen today, she says that somewhere along the line, parents are also to be blamed for this scenario.

“Sometimes even if children want to learn the traditional arts, parents are not supportive about the same. They want them to do something unique and exceptional and do not like their kids learning the traditional arts,” she feels.

Parvinder has two kids and she wants both of them to learn the art forms their mother is adept in.

“My son Harnoor Singh shows keen interest in my musical instrument. He keeps playing with the strings of the sarangi. He loves learning and playing the sarangi from me,” she says.

In addition to the sarangi she is also an expert in gatka.

“Gatka is also another art which need to be preserved. Generally Nihangs practice this art. I also give training to the students of my school in this martial art. I am contented that I am playing some part in preserving the conventional art forms," she signs off.

 

[Courtesy: The Tribune]

November 17, 2011

Conversation about this article

1: Navjot Sagoo (U.S.A.), December 01, 2011, 1:54 PM.

It takes a lot to preserve our heritage. I would like to learn more about Parvinder Kaur and her continuing contribution to revive the lost heritage of traditional Sikh music.

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