Why do we do Nagar Kirtans?

[Singh97]

A lot of people consider it a ritual that serves no purpose, so then why do we do it? Please give your opinion.

And if anyone finds this question offensive or rude, I'd like to apologize in advance. (I'm 15 years old and I'm deeply sorry if I've made a mistake)

WJKK WJKF

[VanHelsingh]

Judging by some of the characters that turn out for such events I do wonder the same thing at times.

Equally you have to remember that with us living in foreign countries it is vital we keep alive these traditions, if not for pure religious reasons (as they should be in a perfect world I guess) but as a way of allowing upcoming generations who perhaps aren't as connected to Sikhi to ask questions about why such events are taking place. I do think the positives outweigh the negative.

[JSinghnz]

Nagar Kirtans are very important to make our younger generation aware of our rich history and heritage.

The uniqueness of Nagar Kirtans is something we as Sikhs need to be really proud of.

[TheFancyBanana]

When and why did they start happening?

[chatanga]

Nagar Kirtans are very important to make our younger generation aware of our rich history and heritage.

The uniqueness of Nagar Kirtans is something we as Sikhs need to be really proud of.

Nagar Kirtans are NOT important in making younger sikhs aware of anything. They are a waste of money, and time and resources. Far more could be accomnplished by using the thousands of pounds spent, on more pressing concerns.

The local nagar kirtan cost £15000. Imagine with this money what you could achieve, rather than a walk, where no-one learns anything about sikhi, eats some crisps, and a week later cant remember anything about it.

I would rather a gurdwara spent £2000 on the Guru's instruments, - Rabab, Dilruba, Taus, Saranda and Jori, than waste their money of something so frivolous.

There are times and places for everything, but the way Sikhi is at the moment, we dont need to do nagar kirtans with the intensity that we do.

Nagar kirtans are not unique either. Hindus have done Shri Ram Leela for centuries.

Equally you have to remember that with us living in foreign countries it is vital we keep alive these traditions,

This tradition is only a few decades old. The earliest reference to a nagar kirtan i know of, if when Sant Attar Singh brought Guru Maharaj to the public, on a elephant. from there it has slowly grown, to now where it seems that if a nagar kirtan doesnt happen, sikhi is finished.

[VanHelsingh]

This tradition is only a few decades old. The earliest reference to a nagar kirtan i know of, if when Sant Attar Singh brought Guru Maharaj to the public, on a elephant. from there it has slowly grown, to now where it seems that if a nagar kirtan doesnt happen, sikhi is finished.

Well, yeah I agree with that. I was trying not to put a downer on things, lol.

The nagar kirtan and associated mela does seem to have mutated into this strange beast that kind of unnerves me. Tough to explain. But for the kiddies the loud noises and vibrant colours are a nice day out IF coupled with a brief talk from parents before and after IMO.

[chatanga]

I was trying not to put a downer on things, lol.

I know bro, but it seems to me, that more effort is put into the nagar kirtan than doing amrit sinchars.

[VanHelsingh]

I know bro, but it seems to me, that more effort is put into the nagar kirtan than doing amrit sinchars.

It's probably an easy and lazy thing to say, but I wonder if we'll be complaining about the commercialisation of Sikh festivals in a few decades, much like Christians have been complaining about Christmas going the same way?

[JSinghnz]

Nagar Kirtans are NOT important in making younger sikhs aware of anything. They are a waste of money, and time and resources. Far more could be accomnplished by using the thousands of pounds spent, on more pressing concerns.

The local nagar kirtan cost £15000. Imagine with this money what you could achieve, rather than a walk, where no-one learns anything about sikhi, eats some crisps, and a week later cant remember anything about it.

I would rather a gurdwara spent £2000 on the Guru's instruments, - Rabab, Dilruba, Taus, Saranda and Jori, than waste their money of something so frivolous.

There are times and places for everything, but the way Sikhi is at the moment, we dont need to do nagar kirtans with the intensity that we do.

Nagar kirtans are not unique either. Hindus have done Shri Ram Leela for centuries.

This tradition is only a few decades old. The earliest reference to a nagar kirtan i know of, if when Sant Attar Singh brought Guru Maharaj to the public, on a elephant. from there it has slowly grown, to now where it seems that if a nagar kirtan doesnt happen, sikhi is finished.

That's your opinion that "Nagar Kirtans are NOT important in making younger sikhs aware of anything."

It surely makes them aware of the their history and heritage. It also instils a sense of pride about our religion that we

have these Nagar Kirtans year after year in lots of countries around the world.

And how on earth can you compare a Ram Lila with a Nagar Kirtan,

[JSinghnz]

Well, yeah I agree with that. I was trying not to put a downer on things, lol.

The nagar kirtan and associated mela does seem to have mutated into this strange beast that kind of unnerves me. Tough to explain. But for the kiddies the loud noises and vibrant colours are a nice day out IF coupled with a brief talk from parents before and after IMO.

The associated mela is something we have to get rid off from Nagar Kirtans.

Thank God here in New Zealand Sikhs do not do these ridiculous things along with a Nagar Kirtan.