It seems these days more and more young Sikh musicians are bringing their creative talents, voices and energy into creating Sikh related music. I think it is awesome! I hope this trend continues and that they are supported by the Sikh community. Coming from a western background I love quite a variety of music. Much of what I listen to is either Gurbani or music that is a fusion of east and west. I think when you come from other cultures it is natural to have an influence on the music that is created. I love classical Kirtan...but I also love some of the music that young sikhs are creating these days. It gives variety for people of all ages to enjoy.

Tonight I wanted to introduce the Sikh musician Balvinder Singh from Australia, who recently came out with his first CD Album titled "Reaching for Home". This album mixes western instruments and soothing voices to create a mellow and pensive atmosphere.

About Balvinder Singh
"I started learning Indian Classical music at a young age, initially by my father. I learnt classical tabla for a number of years and then went on to learn Sitar from a variety of ustads overseas.

What motivates me is to break down the boundaries between music. I believe it is universal and as a first generation Australian, when I heard the sounds of Indian classical music I cant help but fuse it the music I have grown up in.

I also would really like my music to help people; and Sikh scriptures have a beautiful message that I am trying to get to a wider audience. I am also trying to elevate the standard and push the boundaries of traditional kirtan, taking it to new levels."

Here are three of the tracks from the CD to check out. If you like the music, please support Balvinder Singh by purchasing a CD online. The one thing I have realized in helping my mother with her CD is that making music can be a very time consuming and expensive process. So if we want more music then it is good to support these "budding" musicians.


Reaching for Home


Naam


Salvation


Contact Balvinder Singh or Order the CD

Ps. You can also hear a remix that I did of one of his tracks with some leadership affirmations by some of the Sikh youth here. Listen here.

Here is an excerpt from the book "Victory & Virtue" and few pictures that I have added to the article. This portion was written by Guru Raj Kaur (Vancouver, Canada) relating to Yoga and Sikhi. I just thought it is another similar perspective that might be interesting to you all.

"It is the Shabad Guru which unites us to the Infinite, through the meditation on the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. Kundalini Yoga prepares us to hear that Shabad.

While compiling this book, we were aware that it would be read by Sikhs who chose to become Sikhs, as well as those who were born into a Sikh family, usually of Indian origin. It is historical fact that almost all of the people who chose to become Sikhs were inspired to do so through the practice of Kundalini Yoga and the practice of Nam Simran at Kundalini Yoga classes. I do not believe that this is a coincidence. I believe that by the Grace of Guru Ram Das, who sits on the Throne of Raj Yog, the teachings of Kundalini Yoga were brought out of India to the West to lead the souls whose destiny it is to walk in the Guru's Way unto the Guru. I believe that it is important to maintain the practice of this "preparation". We also recognize that it is the Grace of the Guru which leads us unto liberation.

Kundalini Yoga is the householders yoga. It is the Yoga of Awareness, of Charhdi Kala. Guru Nanak admonished the yogis of his time that they were on the wrong path, teaching them that leaving their families, leaving this world and practicing austerities would not merge them with God. This is true. He did not teach that yoga itself is bad and in any way incongruent with the life of a Sikh. In fact, the internal process of merging with the Infinite that is described in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib is identical to universal principles of union with God which were taught by the ancient yogis.

A Sikh does not do yoga to "earn" his or her liberation. A Sikh uses the techniques of Kundalini Yoga in the same way that s/he would take a bath in the morning, or be conscious of how s/he maintains the body purely, eating a vegetarian diet, not partaking of tobacco or alcohol. In other words, a Sikh prepares this sacred body temple as purely as possible to bring the Holy Naam, the Holy Gurbani into it, to do justice to that Sacred Word. However, Kundalini Yoga prepares not only the physical body, but all of the Ten Bodies of which this magnificent human system is composed.

I see no contradiction to a life as a worshipper of the Siri Guru Granth and my Kundalini Yoga practice. There is nothing in the path of Kundalini Yoga which in any way contradicts what is taught in the Siri Guru Granth. It has been my personal experience that Gurbani Kirtan and developing a relationship with the Siri Guru Granth Sahib has given me the bliss and grace of life. However, it was and continues to be my Kundalini Yoga practice and teaching which keeps me in Chardi Kala and continues to remind me to seek the Guru's Feet as my refuge.

I truly believe that it is the Miracle of Guru Ram Das that the ancient teachings of Kundalini Yoga were offered to the Sikhs to keep them in Charhdi Kala. How else can we explain the miracle of so many Westerners coming to the feet of Siri Guru Granth Sahib through the practice of Kundalini Yoga?

Dhan dhan ram das guru
Jin siria tinai savaria
Pooree hoee karama
Aap sirjinaharay dharriaa!