Raag Naad Gurmat Sangeet Foundation
Our mission is to preserve and promote the spiritual and classical tradition of Gurmat Sangeet by providing high-quality education in Raag-based Kirtan and traditional Sikh instruments.
- Classical Raag-based Kirtan
- String Instruments Training
- Workshops, Webinars & Competitions
- Preservation of Traditional Gurmat Music
Raag Naad Event 2026
Solo Kirtan
Master the art of playing Dilruba and Taus — iconic Sikh string instruments used in Gurmat Sangeet since the Guru Sahiban era.
Group Kirtan
Progress through structured levels of Tabla learning, from foundational strokes to advanced rhythmic compositions.
Solo Tabla
Progress through structured levels of Tabla learning, from foundational strokes to advanced rhythmic compositions.
Solo Tanti Saaz
Study the structure, emotion, and technique of classical Raags to enhance your Gurmat Sangeet understanding and performance.
2nd Raag Naad Gurmat Sangeet Competition – 2026
Categories
- Solo Kirtan
- Group Kirtan
- Solo Tabla
- Solo Tanti Saaz
Levels (Age groups)
Registration & Event
Registration fees: $25 per participant per category
Event Dates: January 10, 11, 17, 18 & 19, 2026
Venue: Dashmesh Darbar Gurdwara — 800 Port Reading Ave, Port Reading, NJ 07064
Last date to register: Dec 31
FAQ's
Solo Kirtan
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where should the shabad composition be taken from? | Only from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji |
| How many shabads are allowed by each person? | Only 1 shabad |
| Which raags are allowed? | Only the 31 main raags of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji |
| Can the shabad be sung in any other raag other than the prescribed raag? | No |
| Can a shabad be sung if the raag is not mentioned in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji ? | No |
| Are there assigned raags? | No |
| Can you mix 2 Raags? | No |
| Can you play Partaal? | Yes |
| Will there be any additional weightage given to Partaal? | No |
| Can an electronic tabla box or application be played instead of a tabla player? | No |
| Can an electronic tanpura box or application be played? | Yes |
| Can any line in the shabad, other than the Rahao line, be sung as the sthaa-ee? | No |
| Can the shabad be sung with Parmaan(s) in the allotted time? | No |
| Can the same shabad be sung by two people? | Yes |
| What is the maximum time allotted to complete a performance? | 10 minutes |
| What is the minimum time required to complete a performance? | 6 minutes |
| Do participants have to give a speech before their performance? | No |
| Are both the Shaan and Mangalacharan required for a shabad performance? | No, not needed |
| Are Bol-banth and Bol-taan allowed? | Yes |
| Can Aalaaps be sung? | Yes, but Aalaaps must use the words of the shabad |
| Can a solo performance have a Tanpura / Dilruba accompaniment? | No |
| Will Raag Naad Management provide a Tabla player / Tabla / Tanpura box on stage? | No |
| Can a tabla player be older/younger than the level that the soloist is performing in? | With the exception of teachers, anyone can play tabla, regardless of their age |
| Can the same tabla player be used in multiple solo performances? | Yes |
Group Kirtan
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Maximum Jatha size? | 5 including tabla player |
| Minimum Jatha size? | 3 |
| Where should the shabad composition be from? | Only from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji |
| Which raags are allowed? | Only the 31 main raags of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji |
| Can 2 raags be mixed? | No |
| Can Partaal be played? | Yes |
| Extra weightage for Partaal? | No |
| Can an electronic tabla box be used? | No |
| Can an electronic tanpura be used? | Yes |
| Can any line except Rahao be sung as sthaa-ee? | No |
| Can shabad be sung with Parmaan? | No |
| Can the same shabad be sung by 2 groups? | Yes |
| Can jatha members be older/younger than level? | No |
| Can jatha members be younger than performance level? | Yes |
| Can multiple jathas share same tabla player? | Yes |
| Can more than 5 instruments be used? | No (max 1 per person) |
| Max performance time? | 10 minutes |
| Minimum performance time? | 6 minutes |
| Can multi-percussion instruments be used? | No |
Solo Tabla
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can multi-percussion instruments be played in the solo performance? | No |
| Can an electronic lehra device be played? | Yes |
| What instruments are allowed to be played in the performance? | Tabla/Jori, Pakhawaj and Mridang |
| What is the maximum time allotted to complete a performance? | 8 minutes |
| What is the minimum time required to complete a performance? | 5 minutes |
| What is required in the tabla solo? | At least one of the following: Kaida, Gat Kaida, Gat, Rela, Paran, or Tihaahis |
| How is the tabla performance evaluated? | Based on Taal choice, the accuracy of bol played on instrument, and command over Laya, Taal, Chhandas of Taal, performed according to Barhat / Prastaar / Vistar |
Solo Tanti Saaz
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Which raags are allowed? | Only the 31 main raags of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji |
| Are there assigned raags? | No |
| Can you mix 2 raags? | No |
| Which instruments are allowed? | Sikh Heritage String Instruments (Rabab, Saranda, Israj, Taus, Sarangi, Tanpura, Dilruba) — plus Sitar, Violin, Guitar, Cello |
| Max performance time? | 8 minutes |
| Minimum performance time? | 5 minutes |
| Can electronic tabla box be used? | No |
| Can electronic tanpura be used? | Yes |
| Evaluation criteria? | Gat, Bandish, Raag purity, Swar accuracy, Taal & Layakari |
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਿਹ
All confirmed participants are requested to send their registration fees payment via Zelle only to the following email address:
📧 raagnaadgurmatsangeet@gmail.com or by scanning the QR code provided to the left.
Registration fees are $25 per participant/ category. Please do not send Zelle payments to any phone number.
Once you have completed the Zelle payment, please send an email so your payment can be confirmed. In addition, donations are much appreciated and welcome.
Thank you in advance!
