The Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh has ordered the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to replace the harmonium within three years from Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) so that the kirtan, or singing of Gurbani, can be accompanied by traditional string instruments.
Reason behind replacing Harmonium
- According to the Takht, Harmonium is an instrument with colonial roots, hence not the most appropriate medium for delineation of the Gurbani.
- Every day, 15 ragi jathas are deployed in turns to perform at Harmandir Sahib for 20 hours in one of the mainly 31 raags that are chosen depending on the time of day and season.
- Of this music, the harmonium forms the soul sound, a ‘key’ instrument.
History of Harmonium
- Harmonium was developed by Alexandre Debain of France in 1840 and patented. Harmonium became a staple for Western classical music, being played in church, and used by multiple music producers.
- In the 1930s, with the advent of the electronic organ, the demand for harmonium started to fall.
- It was the British who carried the harmonium to India, to their homes and churches.
- In India, musician Dwarkanath Ghosh modified the harmonium. The foot-operated bellows beneath the keyboard in the European harmonium were replaced by the hand-operated bellows at the rear.
- Drone knobs were added to the instrument to produce harmonies in Indian classical music.
- A scale-changing technique was also added to the Indian version of the instrument.
- By 1915, India had become the leading manufacturer of the harmonium.
- This new instrument was more durable, cost-effective, and easier to maintain and repair.
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