VoW celebrates 550th birthday of Nanak on inaugural day

Devotion is connectivity to God, and for this connectivity to be established and felt, we pray and sing hymns or songs in praise of the God. A similar beautiful rendition of Bani was performed in celebration of 550th birthday anniversary of Guru Nanak Ji by Professor Nivedita Singh and group, from Punjab University, Patiala, inaugurating Valley of Words' third edition, in an unique way.

Guests were offered Rūmal to be worn on their heads, before sitting down on their seats. Following the warm welcome of the performers, the guests were offered a brief background of Gurbani.

The Bani began with an 'Aarti' from Guru Granth Sahib. Professor Nivedita Singh told that it's a "universal prayer for the whole world."

"The sky above us is like a platter, looking over us. The moon and the sun are like 'diyas', the sunlight travelling with the winds is like fragrance, the forests are like flowers, the stars are the pearls of the sky and you are the destroyer of your fear," said, Professor Singh, emphasising the magnitude of being human and making a very powerful statement with the introduction of the prayer.

The group began with the playing of Tabla, followed by Harmonium, played by Professor Nivedita herself. The very first Raga sung was the 'Tukhari Raag', praising the sole glory of the god. Tilang Raga followed consequently, and in between of the singing, several anecdotes were told, among which was captured the essence of the whole event

"Guru ji used to inform everyone that he was just the bard of the Supreme lord," Professor Nivedita Singh commenced. The event was able to encapsulate the true meaning of spirituality, cosmology and the spirit of celebration with simple yet magical way of the 'kirtan.' The last 'aarti' revealed another anecdote from Nanak Ji's life in his 'Shabd' where he asks: 'God, you have hundreds of forms yet none is visible to the eye.'

At the end, the whole group was given specially customised souvenirs from the VoW representatives as a token of appreciation and immense gratitude.