In the series of celebrations related to 550th birth century of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, Department of Gurmat Sangeet Punjabi University Patiala organized Rabab Utsava from 18-20 October, at Gurdwara Rababsar Sahib, village Bharoana (Kapurthala) with the support of Punjab Government.Tourism and cultural affairs Minister of Punjab S. Charanjit Singh Channi and MLA Navtej Singh Cheema today participated in the event . The cabinet Minister said that the Punjab Government has decided to develop all the places related to Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He also calls upon the officials of Punjabi university to set up an advance study centre on Guru Nanak Dev ji.Renowned Gurmat scholar and founder of Gurmat Sangeet Department Punjabi University Dr. Gurnam Singh, decorated with president award, Principal Sukhwant Singh Jawadi, Dr. Kanwaljit Singh, Bhai Harjot Singh Zakhmi, Principal Dr. Jasbeer Kaur Gurmat College Patiala, Bhai Sripal Singh Hazoori Ragi, Dr. Alankar Singh, Dr. Harjas Kaur Ropar and students of Department of Gurmat Sangeet Punjabi University Patiala performed the Ragatmik Kirtan with traditional string instruments Rabab, Dilruba, Taus and Jorhi.The second phase of Rabab Utsava started with the Guru Nanak Bani recitation by the winning teams of Gurmat Sangeet Department Punjabi University, Gurmat College Patiala and University Model School Patiala. Celebrated Kirtankar of Sikh Panth Bhai Sahib Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa Padamshri, Dr. Harvinder Singh Chandigarh, Bhai Gurmeet Singh Shant, Bibi Ashupreet Kaur Jalandhar, Hazoori Ragi Gurdwara Rababsar Sahib memorized the sangat with Shabad kirtan presentations.
On the concluding day of Rabab Utsave, a national seminar on the contribution of Bhai Mardana and Raba in Gurmat Sangeet tradition, organized by the department of Gurmat Sangeet Punjabi University Patiala at Gurdwara Rababsar Sahib, Bharoana (Kapurthala).The keynote was presented by Dr. Gurnam Singh, ex-head Chair and Department of Gurmat Sangeet Punjabi University Patiala. He presented historical facts about the lesser known to the Sikh sangat. He uttered that Gurduwara Rababsar Sahib is foremost place, from where the tradition of Gurbani singing initiated by Guru Nanak Dev ji.In his presidential address Vice-chancellor Dr. B S Ghuman admired the efforts of the department to preserve and propagate the forgotten facts of Sikh history. He was all praise for efforts being done by Punjab Government to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji.The concluding phase of Ragatmik recitation of Guru Nanak Bani was initiated by Singh-bandhu S. Surinder Singh ‘Padamshri’, Professor Rawail Singh, Professor Swarleen Kaur, Dr. Jaswant Singh, Hazoori Ragi Bhai Narinder Singh Banarsi, Prof. Arashpreet Singh ‘Rhythm’ Dr. Jasbeer Kaur .Prominent amongst present on the occasion included Dr. Gurmeet Sihgh Sidhu, the conveneour Dr. Yashpal Sharma, Head and Dean Faculty of Arts & Culture, Dr. Kanwaljit Singh Coordinator .