The short answer
Kirtan is the singing of Gurbani, usually with music, as praise of the Divine. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is arranged by raags (musical modes), and Kirtan has been central to Sikh worship since Guru Nanak Dev Ji sang with Bhai Mardana. The Sikh Rehat Maryada says that only Gurbani, and the compositions of Bhai Gurdas Ji and Bhai Nand Lal Ji that explain it, should be sung as Kirtan in the Sangat.
In detail
Kirtan means singing praise. In Sikhi it means singing Gurbani so that its meaning reaches the heart through melody. According to tradition, Guru Nanak Dev Ji travelled with Bhai Mardana, who played the rabab while the Guru sang the Bani as it was revealed. Singing the Word has been the heartbeat of Sikh worship ever since.
Music is built into the scripture. Most of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is arranged under raags, musical modes chosen to carry particular moods — longing, joy, detachment, devotion. Headings also give guidance on how some Shabads are to be sung. Traditional Gurmat Sangeet uses these raags and prescribed styles, and there has been a strong revival of stringed instruments such as the rabab, sarangi, taus and dilruba alongside the harmonium and tabla.
In the Gurdwara, Kirtan is performed by Ragis (trained Kirtan singers), by jathas (groups), and by the Sangat singing together. The Sikh Rehat Maryada states that only Gurbani, along with the explanatory compositions of Bhai Gurdas Ji and Bhai Nand Lal Ji, should be sung in Sangat, and that Kirtan should not be performed to film-style tunes that distract from the Word.
Kirtan is not a concert. Its purpose is to help the mind settle, absorb the meaning of the Shabad and remember the Divine. Listening with attention, singing along and reflecting on what the Shabad says are all part of Kirtan. Many families sing Kirtan at home, and learning a simple Shabad on the harmonium is a treasured part of growing up for many Sikh children.
What Gurbani says
ਗੁਰ ਦੁਆਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਸੁਣੀਐ ॥
Gur duaarai har keeratan suneeai.
Through the Guru's door, the Divine praises are heard.
ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਦਰ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਰੱਬ ਦੀ ਸਿਫ਼ਤ-ਸਾਲਾਹ ਸੁਣੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ।
Through the Guru's door, the Divine praises are heard — the place of Kirtan in Sikh life.
ਜੈ ਘਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਆਖੀਐ ਕਰਤੇ ਕਾ ਹੋਇ ਬੀਚਾਰੋ ॥
Jai ghar keerat aakheeai karate kaa hoe beechaaro.
In the home where the Creator's praises are sung and the Creator is contemplated —
ਜਿਸ ਘਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਰਤਾਰ ਦੀ ਸਿਫ਼ਤ-ਸਾਲਾਹ ਗਾਈ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਕਰਤਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਧਿਆਇਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ —
The home where the Creator's praises are sung is blessed.
ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਨਾਦੰ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਵੇਦੰ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਈ ॥
Gurmukh naadan gurmukh vedan gurmukh rahiaa samaaee.
Through the Guru comes the sacred sound; through the Guru comes true knowledge; through the Guru one realises the Divine present everywhere.
ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਨਾਦ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ; ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਸੱਚਾ ਗਿਆਨ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ; ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਹੀ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਰੱਬ ਨੂੰ ਹਰ ਥਾਂ ਮੌਜੂਦ ਅਨੁਭਵ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ।
Through the Guru comes the sacred sound — Kirtan joins sound and understanding.
What it means
These lines show why Kirtan matters so much. Guru Arjan Dev Ji says the Divine praises are heard through the Guru's door — Kirtan is where many first truly hear Gurbani. Kirtan Sohila blesses any home where the Creator's praise is sung. And Japji Sahib ties sound to knowledge: the Guru's Word, heard as music, becomes understanding in the heart.
Living it today
- Listen to Kirtan with the meaning of the Shabad open on your phone or in a book.
- Sing along softly in the Gurdwara rather than only listening.
- Learn one simple Shabad on harmonium or another instrument as a family project.
- Hold a short Kirtan at home on a Gurpurab or family occasion.
- Choose Kirtan in raag-based or traditional style sometimes, to experience the moods the Gurus chose.
A real-life example
Ekam's first Shabad
Nine-year-old Ekam found the Gurdwara boring until his grandfather started teaching him a short Shabad on the harmonium. They practised three evenings a week, grandfather explaining one line at a time. When Ekam finally sang it in the children's Kirtan on the Gurpurab, his voice shook, but he knew what every line meant. Afterwards he told his mum, 'It's different when you understand it — it's like the words are talking to me.' Now he asks the Ragis which raag they are singing, and he has started learning a second Shabad.
Common misunderstandings
Kirtan is just religious music or entertainment.
Kirtan is worship: singing the Guru's Word to absorb its meaning and remember the Divine.
Any devotional song can be sung as Kirtan in the Gurdwara.
The Sikh Rehat Maryada limits Kirtan in the Sangat to Gurbani and the explanatory compositions of Bhai Gurdas Ji and Bhai Nand Lal Ji.
You need to be a trained musician to take part in Kirtan.
Anyone can take part by listening with attention or singing along with the Sangat.
Sources
- Sikh Rehat Maryada, SGPC — Kirtan
- Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 1075
- Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 12 (Kirtan Sohila)
- Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 2 (Japji Sahib, Pauri 5)