6 December, 2024

On the last Friday of the Michaelmas Term, Oxford Interfaith Forum were cordially invited to attend Kirtan on Campus. This was a fabulous continuation of our celebration of the 2024 Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize, publicly announced two days earlier.

Jyotveer Singh Gill at Kirtan on Campus, St John’s College

For Sikhs, Kirtan (sacred music) is a method of connecting to God. This communal worship brings people together in collective meditation. Kirtanis (musicians of Sikh liturgical songs) from all over the United Kingdom came together to bring Sikh spiritual music to the members of the University of Oxford in a beautiful and spacious location of St John’s College pictured below.

^{St John’s College, Garden Quad Reception Room}

Kirtan on Campus celebrated Gur Nanak Aaya – the ‘Arrival (birth) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It was a very special occasion since this year commemorates the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Students of the University of Oxford used this wonderful opportunity to raise awareness of the Sikh religion which is underrepresented in the student body, and introduce Kirtan to those who had never heard it before. The event culminated in an energetic Shabad (word chant) accompanied by sounds of the Shankh and Bells, and a shower of flowers. It created an electric atmosphere inspiring every attendee.

Within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (A central religious scripture of Sikhism) there are numerous references to plants and flowers, each carrying profound symbolism and meaning. These symbolisms act as a guide to how to live sacred lifestyles, as well as their role in Sikh ceremonial activities. Flower petal showers are a ceremonial act of celebration and reverence. They symbolise the transient nature of life and the beauty of divine creation. Fresh flowers are often placed in gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship) to demonstrate reverence.

Notable flowers mentioned in the Sikh scriptures and essential in ceremonial activities include:
Kamal (Lotus) symbolises purity, spiritual journey and spiritual awakening. The flower is often used to describe the state of a devotee’s mind when immersed in meditation and devotion.
Gulab (Rose) represents love and devotion towards the Divine, and the Divine’s eternal compassion. Its fragrance of devotion speaks to the beauty of spirituality, and is widely used in the decoration of Gurdwaras (Sikh temples).
Mallika (Jasmine) also called Mogra, Motia, Chameli, Malli puvvu, Jaati, Mulla, Mallige, Juhi, Mogra, or moonlight in the grove, symbolises humility, simplicity, and the fragrance of selfless service. This delicate beauty of a flower reminds individuals of the humility and selflessness required on the path to spiritual enlightenment, and serving others with pure love and devotion.
Genda (Marigold) represents auspiciousness, prosperity, and divine blessings. Its bright and cheerful nature is seen as a reflection of the divine light that guides and protects devotees. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib cites marigolds as a symbol of the satisfaction of connecting with the Divine and celebrating life’s blessings.

Onkar Singh, one of the Kirtanis who played Sankh/conch shell (pictured above), explained that this wind instrument is made from the shell of several different kinds of sea snails. Their natural conical bore is used to produce a musical tone. It is also known as a ‘seashell horn’ or ‘shell trumpet’.

Isher Jagdev, the organiser of Kirtan on Campus, and a first-year Sikh student of Medicine at Keble College, said: It was amazing to see so many people from diverse backgrounds came together to hear the Kirtan of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. I hope the Guru’s universal message of truth and love continues to be shared in universities worldwide. We extend a warm gratitude to the Kirtanis – Gurleen Singh, Jasjeet Kaur, Gagan Singh, Mehma Kaur, Taran Singh, Jujhar Singh and Arjan Singh – for blessing us with their beautiful and uplifting Kirtan.

The text of Shabad The Arrival of Guru Nanak sung by the Kirtanis
with transliteration and translation:

ਸੁਣੀ ਪੁਕਾਰ ਦਾਤਾਰ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਗ ਮਾਹਿੰ ਪਠਾਯਾ॥
Suni Pukar Datar Prabh Guru Nanak Jug Mahe Pthaya
Mankind’s Cry for Humanity is Answered in the Advent of Guru Nanak

ਚਰਨ ਧੋਇ ਰਹਿਰਾਸ ਕਰ ਚਰਨਾਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਿੱਖਾ ਪੀਲਾਯਾ॥
Charan Dhoe Rehras Kar Charnamrit Sikha Pilaya
He Set Out to Proclaim the Path of Godly Spirituality Through Instilling Divine Messages

ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਪੂਰਨ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਕਲਿਜੁਗ ਅੰਦਰ ਇਕ ਦਿਖਾਯਾ॥
Parbhram Puran Bhram Kaljug Ander Ek Dikhaya
Guru Nanak Instilled the One-ness of the Manifest Omnipotent Creator Amongst Mankind

ਚਾਰੈ ਪੈਰ ਧਰੰਮ ਦੇ ਚਾਰ ਵਰਨ ਇਕ ਵਰਨ ਕਰਾਯਾ॥
Charey Paer Dharam Dey Char Varan Ek Varan Kraya
Through the One-ness of the Creator, He Instilled the One-ness of Mankind

ਰਾਣਾ ਰੰਕ ਬਰਾਬਰੀ ਪੈਰੀਂ ਪਵਣਾ ਜਗ ਵਰਤਾਯਾ॥
Rana Runk Brabri Paeri Pavna Jug Vartaya
Within His Proclamation of Equality Guru Nanak Inculcated Humility Amongst Mankind

ਉਲਟਾ ਖੇਲ ਪਿਰੰਮ ਦਾ ਪੈਰਾਂ ਉਪਰ ਸੀਸ ਨਿਵਾਯਾ॥
Ulta Kheyl Pirum Da Paera Upar Sees Nivayea
His Love for Humanity is Unique in His Exceptional Humility Towards Mankind

ਕਲਿਜੁਗ ਬਾਬੇ ਤਾਰਿਆ ਸੱਤਨਾਮ ਪੜ੍ਹ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਸੁਣਾਯਾ॥
Kaljug Babey Tariya Satnam Parh Mantar Sunaya
The Baba Served Mankind Through His Messages of Divine Virtue

ਕਲਿ ਤਾਰਣ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਯਾ ॥੨੩॥
Kal Taran Gur Nanak Aiya
Gur Nanak’s Coming Is in the Service of Mankind

Bhai Gurdas Vaar Vaar 1 Pauree 23. English Translation by Dr Karminder Singh.

The University of Oxford has hosted similar events before, however, the current year was the largest-ever gathering, including students from Southampton, Birmingham and London. The Oxford University Sikh Society plans to host a Langar on Campus, which will propagate Guru Nanak’s teachings about feeding all without expectation of reward.