Snip writes:
Do you think the first sikhs would have used a more general chant or kirtan e.g. "Har Har" as often found in verses whilst together in Sangat?
As Sikhism is derived from a thousands years old heritage rich in mantra yoga and raga kirtan, this isn't even applicable. Sikhism isn't like Christianity which started in a very simple format but evolved to an institution of great complexity. It did not begin as something simple or general, for the basic fact it is rooted in pre-existing philsophical complexities of Sanatan Dharma. The kirtan of the Sikhs is improperly performed today and was originated with the Gurus as Ragas form of Carnatic music style. All the Guru's bani was sung to very specific raags. Traditionally, ragas have particular deity and particular influence over the body-mind to elevate to spiritual spheres. Raag kirtan is a form of mantra jaap, and this was going back to pre-historic Vedic times. Let me share a link to professional kirtanis singing the Gurbani in proper Raag to illustrate the point.
Kirtan
Bhai Avtar Dilbag Singh : Jagat Jalanda Rakh Lae
The Sikh kirtanis from time of rababi player bhai Mardana have been professionally trained musicians.
"We find more literary sources for Carnatic music in sacred scriptures following the Vedas. Many musical notes and musical instruments have their references from the Upanishads, Brahmanas and Puranas. Many musical concepts that are still prominent in Carnatic music today derived from these famous texts. Since these texts follow Sanskrit also known as the Devanagari language, most of the Carnatic music is in Sanskrit also. One of the reasons for the existence of Carnatic music is that many saints and seers through the ages believed it to be the greatest form of art. It was a way to perform tapasya, also known as penance, through which it is the easiest way to attain salvation and Moksha. Most of the musical compositions seem to have both philosophical references to living people and serve also as a descriptive way of explaining the beauty of various deities." Karnāṭaka Saṃgītaṃ: A Gift from the Devas and Devis, by Sai Santosh Kolluru
Guru Nanak Dev Ji shown with bhai Mardana and his rabab.
ਰਾਗ ਮਾਲਾ ॥
raag maalaa ||
Raag Maalaa:
ਰਾਗ ਏਕ ਸੰਗਿ ਪੰਚ ਬਰੰਗਨ ॥
raag eaek sang panch barangan ||
Each Raga has five wives,
ਸੰਗਿ ਅਲਾਪਹਿ ਆਠਉ ਨੰਦਨ ॥
sang alaapehi aatho nandhan ||
and eight sons, who emit distinctive notes.
ਪ੍ਰਥਮ ਰਾਗ ਭੈਰਉ ਵੈ ਕਰਹੀ ॥
prathham raag bhairo vai karehee ||
In the first place is Raag Bhairao.
~Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji p. 1429
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