Nep Sidhu and Michael Reynolds, Channel Seven, Devotional System Interruption (video still), 2019. Courtesy the artists.
Kirtan (exhibition response): Come As You Are / Medicine for a Nightmare with Gurpreet Chana and Rajkanwal Kaur
Wednesday, July 10, 6 - 8pm
Audain Gallery
"Your humble servant, who obtains the Medicine of the Naam, is rid of the illnesses of countless lifetimes and incarnations, so sing the Kirtan ... This is the most fruitful occupation."
-Sri Guru Granth Sahib*
Responding to the historical references and contemporary practices represented in Nep Sidhu's Medicine for a Nightmare (they called, we responded) this participatory performance with musician Gurpreet Chana will take place within Sidhu's exhibition at the Audain Gallery.
Kirtan is a means of musically transforming a community gathering into a sangat, which is a form of fellowship specific to the Sikh faith that is open to all, for all. In arriving by means of sonic resonance, one can find themselves closer to the formlessness and namelessness of being. Kirtan, as shared within Sidhu's exhibition, is an invitation for the public to come as they are, co-creating a collective and lived musical experience.
Gurpreet Chana is a Toronto based musician, engineer, composer, and performer. Informed by the language of the tabla while drawing from ancient and contemporary technologies, he integrates the ergonomics of the traditional with the possibilities of the digital to create new modes of artistic expression. His multi-instrumental practice seeks to engage melody and rhythm as a way of supporting cross-cultural and interpersonal communion. In addition to a solo career, Chana has collaborated and performed with musicians around the world, including Kiran Ahluwalia, Bombay Dub Orchestra, DJ Starting from Scratch, Jorane, Robert Mason (kLoX), Niyas, Abida Parveen, UK DJ/producer Bally Sagoo and Tanya Tagaq.
Rajkanwal Kaur is a Vancouver based musician and lawyer. In her practice as a kirtani, she is passionate about spreading the Guru Granth Sahib Ji's teachings in a loving manner that is easy to understand. As a recording artist, unique to her repertoire is how she performs Anand Karaj ceremonies and kirtan programs with Punjabi and English interpretations in Gurdwaras as well as through her interfaith work.
This event is co-presented by Indian Summer Festival.
*These are the words of Waheguru as shared through guru Arjan Dev Ji, the 5th Guru of the Sikhs. This shabad is on page 107 - 108 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and composed in the Maajh Raag.
Audio Recording
Rajkanwal Kaur - Kirtan Vocals, Harmonium
Dr. Bruce Harding - Bansuri
Harman Singh - Dilruba & Tabla for Hey Gobind Hey Gopal
Gurpreet Chana - Hang, Tabla, Hybrid Shruti/Harmonium, & Vocals for Hey Gobind Hey Gopal
Zach LeDoux - Duduk
