This document describes Kabir singing workshops organized by Sab Gaavein Kabir. The workshops aim to introduce participants to the teachings of Kabir in an accessible way through singing. Over two days, the workshops will teach 4 Kabir songs tailored to the musical ability of participants. They will be led by a classical musician experienced in interpreting Kabir's works musically. The workshops seek to continue Kabir's oral tradition of teaching and spread the therapeutic effects of his spiritual messages through communal singing.
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Sab gaavein kabir- Workshops that teach Kabir singing
2. Why Kabir?
Kabir is a symbol of the secular, all-encompassing, radical, and living oral
traditions of India.
Kabir is about challenging the existing, by first comprehending it.
Kabir is about going beyond the ordinary, the visible, and the crowds.
Kabir is a symbol of a fearless radical who sees critically and is unafraid to
articulate it.
Kabir is an ocean of spirituality, from which for centuries people have been diving
in and seeking guidance commensurate with their own abilities.
Kabir is beyond ego as we understand it.
Kabir is beyond religion.
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3. Why teach Kabir
Kabir has traditionally been handed down as part of an oral tradition
How will that oral tradition continue if not taught?
Listening to others singing is not how one internalizes tradition
For the continuity of an oral tradition, it needs to be propagated systematically.
We also believe that as much as a journey of sharing externally, Kabir is a guide for an
inner journey. For those who seek to introvert their gaze, a thread is needed. We hope to
assist several who wish to be on this road, though it is a difficult road and we can not go all
the way with you.
From experience we have learnt that Kabir, as part of a larger tradition of bhakti can also
become a great source of peace, in a world of chaos.
Experience also teaches how Kabir singing can be therapeutic- hope to reach its
therapeutic effects wider.
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4. Can Someone Teach Kabir?
Kabir is not to be taught but be just introduced to- and if possible the language explained a
little. Kabir is about introverting the gaze and like a light that guides from the outside, the
one who introduces us to Kabir, just offers that possibility; or that they will warn you when
you are about to lose your way.
Nobody can teach Kabir to anyone- it is your own journey really. We just aid you with a
musical interpretation; as co-journeyers for some part.
You will teach yourself and possibly teach us too.
But yes, what we can do is to help you in singing it, discuss it, bring it alive in all our minds
and create a scenario of joint singing, to once again recognize our common human
heritage, in particular - community singing.
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5. Who is it for?
For anyone who wants to sing first of all in a limited
time with mindfulness about the content.
6. Sab Gaavein Kabir
let Those Who want Sing Kabir
You could be -
A school or college going youngster;
An adult who is fond of Kabirs poetry
A homemaker, office-goer, senior citizen
Someone who is curious about Kabir, yet knows nothing
about him
Someone who knows about Kabir, but would like to have
your own version of it too
Someone who wants to experience the transmission of oral
tradition
Someone inquisitive about India and its culture
Someone wanting to experience Indian music and culture at
close quarters.
Is for everyone
Therefore we will tailor it
according to your size
Yet not water it down to
suit your sensibilities
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7. Can everyone sing?
We believe that everyone can sing, more so if they are taught according to their ability
From our learning of music psychology, we understand that everyone has a musical self
inside, whether it expresses itself or not
Everyone sings- but may be everyone does not sing for others
The important thing for us is a desire to sing, not the ability- ability is acquired over time
and with effort.
We most certainly want those to sing who are ill, depressed, confused. More so because
singing is natures gift to us and we must respond to our inner instinct to sing
It is one of Hansadhwani Foundations goals to make seemingly complex artistic ideas
simple and accessible.
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8. The Format of the Workshop
Two consecutive days + one additional
session if need be.
Group size to not exceed 15
Three hours on both days
As much as possible we would like to
segregate men and women as musical
scales are different for both, but
wherever feasible we would do a joint
session too.
We induct you after ascertaining your
musical level and what you hope to
gain from the workshop
We target to teach you four songs over
two days.
The songs would be decided based
your acumen and musical ability. You
are welcome to choose the songs, if
you so like
You are welcome to bring in your
suggestions, and if we can we will assist
you to the best we can.
What if the musical idea is too
complex for you? We will simplify it
but not abandon it
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9. In-built Flexibilities
Though this is a time bound workshop, in the instances where these are held in
locations for which travel is necessary, we would be glad to share more than
this many songs
IF there is someone who can learn more, we would be glad to assist that.
You are free to record the songs in storage devices for future referencing
10. About the facilitator
Prateeksha Saba Sharma is a
classical musician who also works in
mental health
She has been engaging with Kabir
since 1999, when she was 26 years.
Over the years she worked at Kabir
very seriously due to her attachment to
the subject- and also interpreted Kabir
in the context of classical raga based
khayals, music therapy etc.
She blogs about this at -
http://merakabir.blogspot.in/
Her current repertoire, which always
keeps expanding, includes
compositions of various other classical
musicians, in addition to a minimum
of 40 songs of her own.
She performs Kabir periodically at
many national and international fora
and shares about it among various
groups, including young people ,
graduate students, conference
audiences, as also concert audiences.
She once had a four CD Kabir album
to her credit, which is no longer
available in the market.
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11. In a Nutshell
A few songs- pada/bhajans, doha or saakhi
Set within the scope of Indian ragas
Woven into musical melodies, and chosen
according to your ability
Which are bound within certain rhythmic/tala
frameworks.
Sab Gaavein Kabir
Encapsulates these
ideas for you in a
small, manageable
way
Sur- tala- laya-
shabad- bhakti
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12. The BIG IDEA is
Sing - Make Music, Spread Joy, Make Peace
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