Hemkunt Keertan Competition

Keertan Darbaar Rules

Keertan should be shabad-pradhaan, not sangeet-pradhaan. In other words, music should be used to enhance shabad-surat rather than to exhibit musical artistry. The chief focus of keertan should be on the bhaav (emotion) of the shabad. The words of the shabad should be clearly enunciated and not be distorted or dominated by the music.

Rules:

1. Before registering at the regional level, each jattha must have their shabad reserved @ hkfKeertan@gmail.com to avoid duplication. Approvals will be given on a first-come basis. For approval, please email the jattha and region name, the rahao line of the shabad and the SGGS page number of the shabad.

2. The maximum size of the jatthas is 5. The minimum size of the jatthas is 3.

3. The Rahao lines of the shabad must be sung as sthaa-ee.

4. Partaals should be only sung if so specified in the sirlekh.

5. Each jattha may sing only one shabad in the allotted time.

6. Singing should be preceded by a short explanation of the structure of the raag, its time, its mood, and the structure of taal(s) used, followed by the gist of shabad.

7. Electronic tanpura box may be used.

8. Electronic tabla box may NOT be used.

9. The intermediate group (age 14-18) should sing manglacharan in the specified raag.

10. The senior group (age 19-25) should sing shaan and manglacharan in the specified raag.

11. Manglaacharan

a. • Salutation to Vaheguru by the vocalists

b. • Invocation for Divine Grace

c. • Using the sirlekh, moolmantar or a sloke from Sri Guru Granth Sahib

d. • Setting the mood for the shabad

e. • Slow tempo

f. • Vadda taal (long rhythmic cycle)

12. Shaan

• Instrumental prelude to keertan

• Salutation of raag and taal, by all the instruments, to the Bani
• Setting the mood for the shabad
• Medium tempo
• Classical taal (not keherva, dadra or paurhi theka)