Capt. Kanwar H. Singh
LA HABRA HTS: With the encouragement and support of the International Institute of Gurmat Studies, Inc. (IIGS), the Sindhi families of Southern California celebrated Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji’s Gurpurab, Friday evening November 2, 1990 from 8 pm to 12:30 am at the Reseda Masonic Temple. Sardarni Payal Kaur of the IIGS addressed the congregation and presented some of the salient features from the life and teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib.
Nearly 400 Sindhi devotees of the Great Gurus sat through the entire celebration and listened to the melodious Shabad Kirtan performed by the jatha of Bhai Sohan Singh Rasia, IGS trained Sindhi Sisters Kirtan Group, and IGS kirtani Jatha. Bhai Kanwar Harbhajan Singh of the IIGS related several Sakhis from the life of the Sri Guru Sahib in English, particularly for the younger Sindhi boys and girls who did not know much“ about the Gurus as yet, but were keen to learn.
The program started at 8pm with the service of delicious Guru Ka Langar followed by Kirtan, a Speech, Sakhies, more Kirtan and concluded with Ardas by Sardarni Payal Kaur. The Ardas was so well said, it deeply touched the hearts of all present.
Bibi Rita Vasvani compared the program, Bibis Shama Gandhi and Lisha Vaswani rendered into English the meanings of the two Shabads ‘Kal Taran Guru Nanak Aya’ and ‘Satguru Apne Suni Ardas, Karaj Aya Sagla Raas’. Bibi Hoori Khem Chandani took the Hukam from Sri Guru Granth Sahib (in Punjabi), Bibi Lajo Khiani gave out the Hukam Translation, and Bibi Roma Sakhrani did the small concluding Ardas.
At the stroke of the midnight hour the dimmed lights brightened up, the Simran Dhuni of Wahe
Waheguru became louder and soon the whole congregation burst into the loud singing of ‘Dhan Guru Nanak JAG TARIYA.’ It was such a unique Chardi kala atmosphere that one rarely gets to experience these days.
Los Angeles Sindhi families have been celebrating these Gurpurabs on family levels. But ever since about 20 Sindhi sisters attended the Sikh Mother’s Camp, especially organized for them by the IIGS last year, a new dimension has been given to these celebrations and understanding of Gurbani.
The Sindhi sisters Kirtan Group gave another beautiful Kirtan performance along with the IGS Kirtan Group on Sunday November 4, 1990 at the Los Angeles Convention Center where the Sikh Sangats celebrated the Gurpurab with great enthusiasm. Over 4000 attended the celebrations organized by the Sikh Study Circle (Gurdwara Vermont).
Article extracted from this publication >> November 16, 1990
