UK
In a historic first for the UK, kirtan, the Sikh devotional practice of singing hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, has been officially incorporated into the country’s graded music examination system. Starting Friday, students will be able to access a formal curriculum and study texts for Sikh Sacred Music as part of the globally recognised eight-grade music exams, overseen by the Music Teachers’ Board (MTB).
This breakthrough is largely due to the efforts of Harjinder Lallie, a Birmingham-based musician and academic who has spent over a decade campaigning for kirtan to stand alongside Western classical music in formal education. Lallie’s work ensures that traditional Sikh musical skills, often performed on Indian string instruments like the dilruba, taus, sarangi, and saranda, are preserved for future generations.
“For years, kirtan was primarily taught within the Sikh community, but now it is being recognised as an art form deserving of formal accreditation,” Lallie said. “It’s taken 10 hard years of work to get the curriculum accepted and launched. It is deeply humbling but still fills me with pride.”
Students will not only be able to develop their skills but also earn UCAS points for Grades 6-8, which can contribute to university admissions, marking a major step forward in diversifying the UK’s music education system. The MTB’s collaboration with a South Asian Music Committee and organisations like the Gurmat Sangeet Academy played a pivotal role in the curriculum’s development.
The inclusion of kirtan reflects a broader effort by MTB to celebrate musical traditions across all cultures. David Kesel, Managing Director of MTB, added, “It’s really nice to see that students learning Sikh Sacred Music will now be recognised for their hard work, just like those learning the piano, violin, or guitar.”
This launch signals only the beginning, with plans underway to introduce an accredited tabla exam next year, followed by syllabuses for other traditional South Asian instruments such as the sitar and sarod. Jasvir Singh, Chair of the City Sikhs group, highlighted the cultural significance, saying, “This recognition gives spiritual music the academic worth it deserves, encouraging British Sikhs to embrace their heritage with pride.”
This new step in the UK’s music examination system promises to encourage more young Sikhs to reconnect with their cultural roots while celebrating the diversity of musical traditions.
