A Dhaddi Jatha of Four Performimg
AMBALA: Taking a step forward towards an organisation for
the revival of art and supporting the dhaddi jathas (bard groups), the Haryana
Sikhs have constituted ‘Haryana Dhaddi Sabha’ in the name of Bhai Abdullah and
Bhai Nath Mal and elected Lakhwinder Singh Paras of Rajouli village in Ambala
district as its president after a meeting held at Gurdwara Panjokhra Sahib in
Ambala .
They said the motive of the organisation is to organise and revive the art and support dhaddi jathas of Haryana state and to ensure their welfare in times of need.
Bhai Abdullah and Bhai Nath Mal were the famous dhaddis (bards) employed by sixth Sikh master Guru Hargobind to sing heroic ballads at the Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar.
Bhai Abdullah's full name was Mir Abdullah who belonged to the village of Sursing, Amritsar district, and was an expert rabab-player. His companion, Bhai Natha belonged to Sultanwind, Amritsar district who played on the dhad. Bhai Abdullah and Bhai Natha were very popular in their time and they composed many heroic ballads.
Dhaddis are distinct group performers which emerged in the times of Sikh gurus and they sing ballads of warriors playing instruments including Dhadd and Sarangi, which are also folk instruments related to Punjab.
They play an important role in preserving and
telling the historic facts related to Sikh religion to the people and some
dhaddis also sing folklores.
This is for the
first time ever that dhaddi jathas of Haryana united under an organisation. The
motive is to revive and spread dhaddi art in Haryana, Punjab, India, and in the
world. The organisation will help and support dhaddis in times of need and any
family problems. The body will provide them loans from the available funds
without any interest which they can return in installments. The body will also
help budding dhaddis with content and in all aspects. There is a plan to open a
training center for teaching dhaddi art to the young generation too and we will
write to panthak organisations and
societies for establishing the institution.”
Lakhwinder Singh Paras said, “As per tradition since the times of
gurus, dhaddi jathas perform at Akal Takht Sahib on a daily basis and no group
from Haryana visit there to perform. We will communicate with Jathedar Akal
Takht to invite Haryana jathas to perform at the Takht as this will boost their
confidence. The body will ensure that every jatha is dedicated to Akal Takht
and follows the conducts laid by the supreme seat.”
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