ANAND 2026: A Historic Celebration of 31 Raags Through the Voices of the Next Generation
Young Keertaniyas came together in Livermore, California, for an extraordinary day celebrating the authentic Raag-based Shabad Keertan tradition of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Livermore, California | October 3, 2026
On Saturday, October 3, 2026, the Tri-Valley Sikh Center Gurdwara Sahib in Livermore, California, became the setting for a remarkable celebration of Gurmat Sangeet as young Keertaniyas gathered for ANAND 2026 – Annual Gurmat Sangeet Deewan, presenting Shabad Keertan in all 31 Raags of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Presented by Sikh Heritage Symphony, under the guidance of distinguished Gurmat Sangeet scholar and Shiromani Raagi Dr. Gurnam Singh, the day-long Deewan brought together 150 student performers, 22 Gurmat Sangeet teachers, families, and Sangat from across the San Francisco Bay Area.
The theme, “Celebrating the Joy of Shabad Through the Voices of the Next Generation,” reflected the spirit of this unique gathering: to celebrate, preserve, and carry forward the rich musical heritage of Gurbani through the dedication and voices of the next generation.
A Rare Musical Journey Through All 31 Raags
One of the most remarkable aspects of ANAND 2026 was the presentation of all 31 principal Raags of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in a single Deewan, performed by 31 groups of young Keertaniyas.
Beginning with Ardaas and Hukamnama, the program unfolded as a continuous journey of Shabad Keertan, offering the Sangat an opportunity to experience the musical diversity and spiritual depth of Gurbani through its Raag tradition.
Each group presented Shabad Keertan in a different Raag, collectively creating a musical journey through all 31 Raags of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Students performed on traditional instruments, including Rabab, Saranda, Taus, Dilruba, Surmandal, and Tanpura, accompanied by Tabla, Mridang, and other instruments.
Particularly inspiring was the sight of young children and youth performing Raag-based Shabad Keertan with confidence, skill, and devotion. Their performances reflected the dedicated training they had received from their Gurmat Sangeet teachers, as well as their growing connection with this centuries-old musical tradition.
For many in the Sangat, it was a rare opportunity to experience all 31 Raags presented by young Keertaniyas in one continuous Deewan, a powerful expression of the future of Gurmat Sangeet.
Bringing the Gurmat Sangeet Community Together
Beyond the musical performances, ANAND carried a larger vision of unity, collaboration, and shared responsibility for preserving Gurmat Sangeet.
The initiative grew from the vision of Dr. Gurnam Singh, whose lifelong dedication to the research, preservation, teaching, and propagation of Gurmat Sangeet continues to inspire generations of students and educators. His vision was to create a platform where young Keertaniyas could learn, experience, and carry forward this musical heritage while bringing together teachers, students, and the wider Gurmat Sangeet community.
One of the most meaningful achievements of ANAND was the participation of students representing many different Gurmat Sangeet teachers from across the Bay Area. These teachers have devoted years, and in some cases decades, to nurturing the Raag-based Shabad Keertan tradition. ANAND brought their students together on one shared platform, allowing them to learn from one another, appreciate different musical presentations, and celebrate their common spiritual and musical heritage.
It was not a competition, but a collective offering of Shabad and Raag.
This spirit of unity made the gathering especially meaningful. It demonstrated what can be achieved when teachers, students, families, and community organizations come together with a shared commitment to preserving and advancing Gurmat Sangeet. Reflecting on the significance of ANAND, Dr. Gurnam Singh emphasized that the success of the Deewan was the result of a collective effort by Gurmat Sangeet teachers, students, parents, organizers, volunteers, and the Gurdwara Sahib management and Sangat. He highlighted that, beyond bringing the community together, ANAND provided a valuable opportunity to prepare and inspire the next generation of Keertaniyas, nurturing their musical understanding and discipline so they can perform Shabad Keertan in its authentic Raag-based tradition, as enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Honoring the Teachers and Those Who Preserve the Tradition
ANAND 2026 paid special tribute to the Gurmat Sangeet educators whose lifelong dedication to teaching has helped nurture generations of young Keertaniyas. The Distinguished Educator Awards recognized four individuals whose contributions to Gurmat Sangeet education have played an important role in preserving and carrying forward the authentic Raag-based Shabad Keertan tradition.
Ustad Ranjit Singh
A distinguished Gurmat Sangeet educator, musician, and scholar, Ustad Ranjit Singh trained in Gurbani, Keertan, Tabla, and Jori under respected teachers of the traditional musical lineage. An A-Grade Tabla artist with All India Radio, he taught at Government College, Ludhiana, from 1962 to 1997. After moving to the United States, he established the Bhai Mardana Institute of Music in 1998, becoming one of the pioneering educators promoting Raag-based Keertan and traditional musical training on the West Coast.
Prof. Dalbir Singh
A distinguished Gurmat Sangeet educator, musician, and author with more than four decades of service, Prof. Dalbir Singh comes from the musical lineage of renowned Taus maestro Giani Beant Singh of Kapurthala. Together with his late wife, Prof. Parminder Kaur, he has made significant contributions to Gurmat Sangeet education in the Bay Area, nurturing generations of students in Raag-based Shabad Keertan. His publications, including Gurmat Sangeet Rachnavali and Gurmat Sangeet Compositions, help preserve and transmit traditional compositions in the 31 Raags of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Bhai Nirmal Singh Soora
Bhai Nirmal Singh Soora is a dedicated Keertaniya and Gurmat Sangeet educator whose musical journey began in Delhi under Prof. Gursharan Singh. He performed regularly at the historic Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib from 1982 to 1988 and has shared Shabad Keertan with Sangat internationally. Since 2013, he has been actively teaching and mentoring students in the Bay Area, while also working on Nirmal Gurmat Gaavni, a book devoted to the 31 Raags of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Dr. Leena Singh
Dr. Leena Singh is a Keertaniya, vocalist, Gurmat Sangeet scholar, author, and educator who earned her Master’s and Ph.D. in Gurmat Sangeet under the guidance of Dr. Gurnam Singh, with Rabab training under Ustad Homayoun Sakhi. As Founder and Director of Sikh Heritage Symphony, she teaches and mentors youth and adults in Raag-based Shabad Keertan and traditional Sikh string instruments. Her work includes Raag Naad Journey, documenting the 31 Raags through Indian and Western musical notation, and an audio interpretation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in English and Punjabi.
These four distinguished educators represent decades of teaching, scholarship, Keertan, and dedicated sewa. Their contributions, along with those of many other committed Gurmat Sangeet teachers, have created opportunities for young students to receive authentic musical training and develop a lasting connection with the Raag tradition of Gurbani.
ANAND Lifetime Achievement Award in Gurmat Sangeet
Following the recognition of the Distinguished Educators, the ANAND Lifetime Achievement Award in Gurmat Sangeet was presented to Dr. Gurnam Singh, honoring his extraordinary contributions to Gurmat Sangeet scholarship, education, research, preservation, and promotion.
His lifelong commitment to establishing Gurmat Sangeet as a field of structured learning and academic study, while nurturing generations of scholars, teachers, and Keertaniyas, continues to provide inspiration and direction for initiatives such as ANAND.
Special recognition was also given to individuals who have supported Gurmat Sangeet through community sewa, including Dr. Gurinderpal Singh, Dr. Amritpal Kaur, Narinderpal Singh, Amritpal Singh, Baljit Boparai, Pavinder Saggu, and Parvinder Thapar.
Kamaljeet Kaur, Program Manager of ANAND, received the Outstanding Leadership & Sewa Award in recognition of her exceptional dedication and tireless efforts in coordinating the Deewan.
The teachers who prepared the participating groups were also honored for their commitment to nurturing the next generation of Keertaniyas. Their dedication was reflected throughout the day in the musical preparation, discipline, and confidence of their students.
Inspiring the Next Generation
A particularly meaningful moment was the recognition of Amrit Kaur Rana and Kirpa Singh with the Gurmat Sangeet Young Ambassador Awards.
Both young musicians were honored for their dedication to learning Shabad Keertan across all 31 Raags of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and for representing Gurmat Sangeet through performances at Gurdwaras and concert stages, including Carnegie Hall in New York.
Their achievements offered an inspiring example to younger students, demonstrating how a foundation in Gurmat Sangeet can develop into a lifelong journey of musical learning, discipline, and devotion.
Every participating student received a certificate, a commemorative medal, and a set of books in recognition of their preparation, dedication, and contribution to the Deewan.
These recognitions reinforced an important message: every young Keertaniya, regardless of age or experience, has a meaningful role to play in preserving and carrying forward this sacred musical heritage.
A Collective Effort of Sewa and Dedication
ANAND 2026 was organized by Sikh Heritage Symphony under the mentorship of Dr. Gurnam Singh, with Dr. Leena Singh Bedi serving as Artistic & Executive Director and Kamaljeet Kaur as Program Manager. The event was supported by the Bebe Nanaki Institute of Sikh Studies and organized in collaboration with SikhNet, helping extend the reach of this Gurmat Sangeet initiative to a wider audience.
The presence of Dass Atma Singh Ji from SikhNet was especially appreciated. Under his leadership, SikhNet has made significant efforts to promote and expand Gurmat Sangeet education through initiatives such as online Gurmat Sangeet learning courses and Raag Darbars, creating opportunities for students and Sangat to engage more deeply with authentic Raag-based Shabad Keertan. His participation in ANAND reflected SikhNet's continuing commitment to supporting and strengthening this important musical heritage.
The successful presentation of this extensive Deewan was made possible through months of preparation and the collective efforts of teachers, students, parents, volunteers, and community members.
Special appreciation goes to the management and Sangat of Tri-Valley Sikh Center Gurdwara Sahib for hosting the Deewan and supporting this meaningful initiative.
Behind every student performance were countless hours of practice, dedicated teachers, supportive families, and volunteers whose quiet sewa helped bring the vision of ANAND to life.
Recognizing the Teachers and Their Participating Jathas
The presentation of all 31 Raags was made possible through the dedication of Gurmat Sangeet teachers who prepared their students and brought participating Jathas to ANAND 2026. Their collective efforts reflect years of commitment to nurturing young Keertaniyas in the authentic Raag-based Shabad Keertan tradition.
The following table lists the teachers, Raags, and Shabads presented during the Deewan.
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The table follows the performance order of ANAND 2026, Shabad titles from the event schedule.
The contribution of these teachers deserves special recognition. Through their dedicated teaching and preparation, young students are developing not only musical skills but also a deeper understanding of Gurbani, Raag, Taal, and the discipline of authentic Shabad Keertan. Their collective efforts are helping ensure that the rich Gurmat Sangeet tradition of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji continues to flourish through future generations.
Preserving a Living Heritage
ANAND 2026 demonstrated that the Raag tradition of Gurbani is not simply a musical heritage to be remembered, but a living tradition that can continue to flourish through the next generation. The Raags of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji form an integral part of the musical framework through which Gurbani has been preserved and experienced for centuries. Introducing children and youth to this tradition through structured learning and performance helps build a lasting connection between the wisdom of Gurbani, its musical expression, and the generations who will carry it forward. The greatest achievement of ANAND was not only the presentation of all 31 Raags in one day, but also the spirit of unity, devotion, and collective responsibility it inspired among young musicians, teachers, families, and the Sangat.
As Dr. Leena Singh expressed in her opening remarks: “Above all, I am grateful to Waheguru Ji for giving us this opportunity—to come together as a Sangat and experience the Anand of Shabad and Raag through the voices of our next generation.”
ANAND 2026 stands as an inspiring example of how a shared vision, dedicated teaching, and collective sewa can bring a community together to preserve and celebrate the timeless tradition of Gurmat Sangeet.
Through the voices of these young Keertaniyas, the 31 Raags of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji resonated not only throughout the Gurdwara Sahib, but also with the promise of a vibrant future for Gurmat Sangeet.
ANAND – Annual Gurmat Sangeet Deewan is an initiative of Sikh Heritage Symphony, dedicated to preserving and promoting the Raag-based Shabad Keertan tradition of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji through education, performance, and community participation.
