Festivals that have kept classical music alive in Punjab

Bhaini Sahib and Harivallabh festivals continue the tradition of classical music, which is intrinsically associated with the Guru Granth Sahib

Listening to Hindustani music in Punjab is a unique experience. In Punjab, the culture of classical music and dance had been disrupted by repeated invasions over the centuries, and the art forms were not given the same respect as in other parts of India.

Despite this, the country’s oldest classical music festival, the 147-year-old Harivallabh Festival is held in Jalandhar. This, and the festival at Bhaini sahib, Ludhiana, are the most prestigious festivals in the region.

Harivallabh festival is named after saint-singer Baba Harivallabh, and was launched after his death. Bhaini Sahib is today the centre of classical music in Punjab, with three successive gurus having consistently promoted it.

That said, the ‘mahaul’ (ambience) at these two music festivals is totally different.

The Bhaini Sahib experience is surreal. Every member of the audience is clad in white, and their head is covered with a duppatta or turban to show respect to their spiritual guru, Sadguru Uday Singh. The annual festival was started in a formal manner only nine years ago, though concerts have been very much a part of Bhaini Sahib.

Harivallabh has an entirely different vibe with a festive spirit and a boisterous audience that one usually associates with listeners in Punjab. The great Kesar Bai had once said, ”the journey Maharashtra to Punjab was arduous, yet had to be made annually, as it was one of the most important classical music festivals. At Harivallabh listeners don’t have time for you to search within for your music, they need something impressive, fast.” That’s true even today.

Both festivals have a spiritual context, however, at Bhaini Sahib it is still experienced. Classical music is a part of the daily routine in the 2,000 strong community of Namdhari Sikhs in the Bhaini village. Apart from attending school, children here go to the music class everyday. Since each of the approximately 6,000 verses in the Guru Granth Sahib are traditionally sung, the ‘kirtan’ tradition at Bhaini Sahib remains a vibrant one, and is something imbibed by children too.