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| The Akhand Kirtani Jatha (or AKJ) is a collective group (jatha) of Sikhs dedicated to the Sikh lifestyle and service of the Sikh ''Panth'' (nation) through ''kirtan'' (devotional singing), reciting Sri Guru Granth Sahib, literature, camps, setting up colleges and sacrifices & martyrdoms for the ''Panth''. Their ''kirtan'' programmes take the form of '''Rainsbai Kirtans''' (Kirtan that goes on all night) and also ''Kirtan Darbars'' (which usually last around 6 hours). The kirtan is usually sung with basic musical tunes - the main emphasis of the ''kirtans'' being on the Guru's Word and repeating the ''Gurmantar'' (Guru's Mantra) of 'Waheguru' with great fervour when prompted to repeat the Lord's Name in the sacred hymns being sung. | The Akhand Kirtani Jatha (or AKJ) is a collective group (jatha) of Sikhs dedicated to the Sikh lifestyle and service of the Sikh ''Panth'' (nation) through ''kirtan'' (devotional singing), reciting Sri Guru Granth Sahib, literature, camps, setting up colleges and sacrifices & martyrdoms for the ''Panth''. Their ''kirtan'' programmes take the form of '''Rainsbai Kirtans''' (Kirtan that goes on all night) and also ''Kirtan Darbars'' (which usually last around 6 hours). The kirtan is usually sung with basic musical tunes - the main emphasis of the ''kirtans'' being on the Guru's Word and repeating the ''Gurmantar'' (Guru's Mantra) of 'Waheguru' with great fervour when prompted to repeat the Lord's Name in the sacred hymns being sung. | ||
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| '''Meat:''' | '''Meat:''' | ||
| The AKJ strongly oppose the viewpoint that meat eating, is allowed in any form, in Gurmat<ref>http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Akhand_Kirtani_Jatha#Do_you_allow_meat_eating.3F</ref> | |||
| According to the official ''Sikh Rehit Maryada'', published by the SGPC: | |||
| <blockquote>"The undermentioned four transgressions (tabooed practices) must be avoided | |||
| 1. Dishonouring the hair; | |||
| 2. Eating '''Kutthaa'''; | |||
| 3. Cohabiting with a person other than one's spouse; | |||
| 4. Using tobacco."</blockquote> | |||
| The Jatha, like all Sikhs, agrees with the official ''Rehit Maryada'' that ''"Kutthaa"'' prohibited. The question is, what is ''Kutthaa''? While Sikh scholars and the SGPC have defined ''Kutthaa'' in modern times to mean "meat slaughtered in the Muslim way" or "''Halaal'' meat" (which they have added as a footnote for explanation in the SGPC published Maryada), the other interpretation is “slaughtered animal” or “killed animal” (viz. meat). As a result of this difference in interpretation, some Sikhs understand the word “''Kutthaa''” to mean ''Halaal'' meat as opposed to meat in general. The Jatha, like other Sikhs, believes that on the fundamental basis of the Guru's Word and etymology, ''Kutthaa'' means "killed meat" (i.e. killed in any way). | |||
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| The Jatha stands with the decision of the Sikh nation on this matter. The Jatha, do not believe in ''Raagmala'' being composed or written by the Guru Sahibs, but was added to Sri Guru Granth Sahib at a later date. Consequently, they do not read ''Raagmala'' when concluding a ''Sehaj Paath'' or ''Akhand Paath''. This does not violate ''Maryada''. Till this date, ''Raagmala'' is not read at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest seat of temporal authority in Amritsar. | The Jatha stands with the decision of the Sikh nation on this matter. The Jatha, do not believe in ''Raagmala'' being composed or written by the Guru Sahibs, but was added to Sri Guru Granth Sahib at a later date. Consequently, they do not read ''Raagmala'' when concluding a ''Sehaj Paath'' or ''Akhand Paath''. This does not violate ''Maryada''. Till this date, ''Raagmala'' is not read at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest seat of temporal authority in Amritsar. | ||
| ==References== | |||
| {{reflist}} | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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The Akhand Kirtani Jatha (or AKJ) is a collective group (jatha) of Sikhs dedicated to the Sikh lifestyle and service of the Sikh Panth (nation) through kirtan (devotional singing), reciting Sri Guru Granth Sahib, literature, camps, setting up colleges and sacrifices & martyrdoms for the Panth. Their kirtan programmes take the form of Rainsbai Kirtans (Kirtan that goes on all night) and also Kirtan Darbars (which usually last around 6 hours). The kirtan is usually sung with basic musical tunes - the main emphasis of the kirtans being on the Guru's Word and repeating the Gurmantar (Guru's Mantra) of 'Waheguru' with great fervour when prompted to repeat the Lord's Name in the sacred hymns being sung.
The Akhand Kirtani Jatha was started by the well-known pious Sikh, Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh in the Panjab (Northern India) in the early 1900s. Ever since then, Sikhs have been meeting together to sing Gurbani. The Akhand Kirtani Jatha has spread across many countries such as the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, India, Malaysia, Singapore and other nations.
Origins of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha (AKJ)
The Jatha was started in the late 1800`s, when a spiritually elevated pious Sikh lady asked Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh Ji to re-invigorate the Khalsa Panth with kirtan. The original was informally referred as the Jatha or Nirbaan Kirtani Jatha (Nirbaan means 'Nirvana', referring to spiritually high intoxicating singing of the group). Some people also referred to the group as Bhai Randhir Singh da Jatha.
The Jatha did not have an official name, for a long time. In old texts and newspapers, it is mostly referred to as the "Waheguru Singhs". In one such text, this was because people would say, everywhere these pious Sikhs went they would walk, talk, work, sleep, with Waheguru ('Wondrous Lord') resounding around them. The name 'Akhand Kirtani Jatha only became common, when Bhai sahib started doing kirtan in all the historical Gurdwaras. It was when Bhai sahib started doing his marathon 48 hour non-stop kirtan sessions, that name Akhand Kirtani jatha (non-stop kirtan group) became prominent and use often by the S.G.P.C. officials and the historical Gurdwaras where they performed kirtan. This was how the name Akhand kirtani Jatha came in existence. Bhai sahib never named his jatha, and only referred to it as 'the jatha'. A name commonly used in India, which means a group. The name was started by managers of the Gurdwaras. Later it got registered in the 1970s, as with most organizations. Today it is a world wide organization which spread the message of Shabad Guru, and like everyone else it considers itself as part of the Khalsa Panth (Sikh nation) and not a separate entity.
Bhai Randhir Singh was given the title of "Bhai Sahib" and the suffix "Ji" from the Panth as he he was honoured by all the four Takhts (the fifth Takhat was ordained later on) or supreme centres of authority for Sikhs for committing his life for the sacrifice of the Panth, always propagating the true message of the Sikh Gurus, inspiring people to take initiation, and live by strict and pure Rehit (discipline). Bhai Randhir Singh and Bhai Veer Singh were the only Sikhs to receive this title in the 20th century.
Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh Ji was very prominent in the Sikh religious and political arena. There was wide recognition of his high spiritual character and achievements, as well as sacrifices for the freedom of the Sikhs and India. During the British Raj, many of the Jatha went to jail in the anti-British movement, and suffered a lot of torture. Bhai Sahib and Baba Attar Singh with many other pious Sikhs had brought a lot of change in the Sikh nation via the 'Gurdwara Sudhaar Movement'. They worked under the banner of the 'Panch Khalsa Divan'. There was a huge conference at Patiala, Panjab, organised by the Maharaja of Patiala. Bhai Sahib was made President of the conference. However, Bhai Sahib gave a powerful address in this conference condemning the corrupt forces in the Sikh nation. Bhai sahib openly stated to the Maharaja that his throne has been blessed to him by the True Guru. He told him to give his kingdom to the Sikh nation, or he will lose it. Such has happened today. A lot of intimidation was put to Bhai sahib at that conference to not say what he believed. But Bhai Sahib was full of Tat Gurmat (pristine Guru's message) and passion. It was Giani Amolak singh and other Gursikhs who stood side by side with Bhai sahib to make sure Tat Gurmat was stated.
Over the decades many members of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha men and women have made sacrifices of their lives and other vital parts of their lives just to support the beliefs of Sikh nation. They are well respected throughout the Sikh community as being dedicated members of the Sikh nation who lay strong emphasis on Naam Simran (remembering the Divine-Name), Seva (selfless sacrifice), and full strict and pious way of life.
Characteristics & Features of the AKJ
The Jatha fully aligns itself with Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, the highest seat of Sikh temporal authority, and the Sikh nation (Khalsa Panth), and does not consider itself a separate entity or sect. They generally support the Sikh Rehit Maryada (Sikh Code of Conduct) as published by the "Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee" (SGPC.) However, they practice more than is stated in the code of conduct booklet. Bhai Randhir Singh or the Jatha never published or formed any Maryada (Code of Conduct) parallel to the officially approved Sikh Rehit Maryada. The Jatha's interpretation and strict devotion to the purest form of Gurmat (the Guru's teaching) differs them from those Sikhs who choose to interpret the code of conduct in a less strict way. The Jatha strongly believes that the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Sacred Scripture, is the yard-stick for the truth and provides guidance on all issues.
Nitnem Banis (Daily Prayers):
According to the official Sikh Rehit Maryada, published by the SGPC:
"You are supposed to know Gurmukhi (Punjabi alphabet). (If you do not, you must learn it). And recite or listen to the recitation of at least the under mentioned scriptural compositions, the daily repetition of which is ordained, every day :(1) The Japuji Sahib, (2) The Jaap Sahib, (3) The Ten Sawayyas (Quartrains), beginning "sarawag sudh", (4) The Sodar Rahiras and the Sohila. Besides, you should read from or listen in to the recitation from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji."
If the Jatha or other Sikh organisations promote 5 banis (prayers) it does not in any way negate the SGPC published maryada because the 5 banis promoted by Jatha include the 3 banis that the official Maryada tells you to recite. The 5 Banis recited every morning are the are the same Banis that are recited when preparing Amrit (holy nectar) during initiation ceremony (Amrit Sanskar). A initiated Sikh learns from the initiation ceremony that the prayers being read there should be read every day so that the internal Amrit (nectar) is experienced every day. Most Jatha members also recite Sukhmani Sahib along with their Nitnem (daily routine) and this does not violate the basic Nitnem. Therefore, there is no issue. Sikhs are generally encouraged to recite more prayers.
Meat:
The AKJ strongly oppose the viewpoint that meat eating, is allowed in any form, in Gurmat
Keski (turban) being Kakkaar:
According to the official Sikh Rehit Maryada, published by the SGPC:
The five K's are:
I. Kesh (unshorn hair), II. Kirpan {sheathed sword} (The length of the sword to be worn is not prescribed., III. Kachhehra (The Kachhehra (drawers like garment) may be made from any cloth, but its legs should not reach down to below the shins.), IV. Kanga (comb),
V. Karha {steel bracelet} (The Karha should be of pure steel.)
The Jatha, believes Keski is Kakkaar (article of faith), not Kesh. They base this on references in the historical text of "Guru Kian Sakhian" (also known as "Bhatt Vehee") and other Rehatnamas (ethical codes). By believing Keski (turban) is the Kakkaar, it doesn't negate Kesh or undermine the sacredness of Kesh. In fact, promoting the wearing of a Keski (turban) shows greater respect and reverence for the sacred hair and also the Dasam Duaar. If the Jatha had given the option of cutting hair and keeping Keski instead of that, then it would have violated the SGPC published Maryada but as things are, the Jatha is the strongest supporter of Kesh. Violation of cutting hair is one of the 4 Bajjar Kurehits (cardinal sins).
Shamsher Singh Ashok, a renowned S.G.P.C. Sikh historian, has stated that historically, wearing a Keski (short turban) was a precondition even for women before they were initiated at the Sri Akal Takht in Amritsar. Any woman who was not prepared to wear Keski was not initiated. This practice continued even after the end of the Gurdwara Reform Movement. A relaxation was made only when Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir became the Jathedar of Akal Takht in the 1940s.
Raagmala
The official Sikh Rehat Maryada states:
"The reading of the whole Guru Granth Sahib (intermittent or non-stop) may be concluded with the reading of Mundaavni or the Raag Mala according to the convention traditionally observed at the concerned place. (Since there is a difference of opinion within the Panth on this issue, nobody should dare to write or print a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib excluding the Rag Mala)... "
Raagmala is the title of a composition of twelve verses, running into sixty lines, appended to Sri Guru Granth Sahib as a table or index of raags that appears after the "Mundaavni", i.e. the epilogue or "closing seal". There being no indication to this effect in the caption, the authorship of Raagmala has been the subject of controversy; more so the point whether it should form part of the recitation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in its entirety (i.e. being included in Sehaj Paath or Akhand Paath bhog/completion). The composition is not integral to the theme of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, and it has little musicological, instructional or spiritual significance.
The Jatha stands with the decision of the Sikh nation on this matter. The Jatha, do not believe in Raagmala being composed or written by the Guru Sahibs, but was added to Sri Guru Granth Sahib at a later date. Consequently, they do not read Raagmala when concluding a Sehaj Paath or Akhand Paath. This does not violate Maryada. Till this date, Raagmala is not read at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest seat of temporal authority in Amritsar.
References
External links
- Akhand Kirtani Jatha
- Akhand Kirtani Jatha International
- Tapoban Gurdwara, Brampton
- "Akhand Kirtani Jatha" in Overview of World Religions
