Sikh sacred music, also known as ‘kirtan’, has been recognised as part of the universal eight-grade music examination system, with the five Indian string dilruba, taus, esraj, sarangi and saranda instruments now part of the curriculum in the UK.
For the first time, kirtan is recognised as part of the graded music examination system, with students able to access a formal curriculum and texts for ‘Sikh Sacred Music,’ with those who achieve grades six to eight able to gain UCAS Tariff points and gain the relevant university entry requirement.
The move follows the relentless devotion of musician and academic Harjinder Lallie, who spent years in getting the genre alongside western classicals and see it preserved for generations to come. A 10-year campaign was led by co-director of Birmingham-based Gurmat Sangeet Academy co-director, Harjinder Lallie.
“This was a long journey from where we started to where we are now," he said. His efforts have also been recognised by the chief Sikh authority in the Punjab, The Akal Takt, who described the move as “a proud achievement for the entire Sikh community."
Kirtan, the devotional singing of the Sikh holy scriptures, the Guru Granth Sahib, has been traced back to the start of the religion in the 15th Century. Co-founder of the Music Teachers' Board (who introduced the examination) David Kesel said: “We want to branch out from colonial traditions of simply grading Western classical and contemporary music.
"It is the first time that anyone has been able to examine and accredit Sikh sacred music." The board worked with the academy in creating the syllabus, with Mr Lallie spending countless hours with many teachers, transforming generational knowledge into a rigorous syllabus.
The exams are available online for pupils worldwide, with schools in India and the United States already showing an interest from students.
