Sacred Words

Australian-born Manika Kaur is a singer of shabad-kirtan, verses from the Sikh Holy scriptures consisting of poetry written by the Sikh gurus as well as some Hindu and Muslim poets. The singing of these verses, and listening to them being sung – forms the main communal devotional ritual of the Sikh faith. The Sikh gurus were not only poets but many were also musicologists and all the verses contained in the scriptures known as the Guru Granth Sahib also specify particular North Indian classical ragas (the melodic framework for improvisation) in which those verses are traditionally sung. But Manika Kaur, who grew up in an intensely musical and spiritual family, has evolved her own style using modern tunes set to Western-style rhythms. Four of the tracks are produced and mixed by Talvin Singh and, while one misses hearing the traditional ragas associated with these verses, the album features an array of musical instruments and some outstanding musicians including the UK-based Indian violinist Jyotsna Srikanth, guitarist Giuliano Modarelli and tabla player Gurdain Rayatt. Alongside piano, cello and backing vocals, it is really good to hear Kirpal Panesar on the all-too-rare dilruba, a string instrument played with a bow, invented some 300 years ago by the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh. Whether traditional or modern, the purpose of shabad-kirtan is to instil a sense of peace and calm in the listener and in that respect, the soothing voice of Manika Kaur certainly succeeds.