Wootz Films

24/04/2020

Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story Out Now!

Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

How do we return to our roots when an invader enters our very psyche? What impact did the invasion of the British have to the Sikh way of life? What can we do to rediscover our Sikh heritage. Find our more in our debut documentary Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story

24/04/2020

Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story Out Now!

Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

The award-winning, feature-length documentary Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story, explores the origins of traditional Sikh instrumentation and how a French instrument found its way into every Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) to become the central instrument in performing traditional Sikh music. Through a series of interviews, musical performances and historical accounts, the film journeys from the introduction of Sikh music by the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, to the invasion of the British Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries that nearly destroyed all Sikh traditions.

23/04/2020

Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story Out Now!

Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

The impact of colonisation upon the people of Punjab still echoes in the minds of the people today. Simple 'modifications' such as introducing a clock tower to the sacred grounds of Harmandir Sahib were part of a larger plan to divert our relationship to our roots and introduce British facets of modernity to the Sikh psyche.

23/04/2020

Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story Out Now!

Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

The Jori was brought into existence in the court of Guru Arjan Dev (1563-1606) by renowned Kirtaniyas (bards) of the era – Bhai Satta Dum and Bhai Rai Balwand. The Jori was created by splitting a century-old one-barrel instrument – Pakhawaj – into a two piece drum set.

The exact reasons why the Pakhawaj was split into two smaller drums are unknown. However, understanding the evolving nature of music from Dhrupad to Desi or Margi Sangeet during the time of Guru Arjan Dev, provides some meaningful insight into the evolving need of the Jori in Sikh music. For many percussionists, it is a medium of communication and discovery of their higher consciousness.

The Jori is a two part drum consisting of Dhamma and Poorra

22/04/2020

Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story Out Now!

Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

The Jori is a percussion instrument that traces its roots through the rich heritage of Sikh musical heritage. It is known for its breath-taking, powerful open-strokes and intricate rhythms played with open hands and fingers. In Kirtan, the Jori symbolizes the rhythm of life.

21/04/2020

Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story Out Now!

Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

The Taus is a very unique and beautiful instrument. The appearance of the Taus alone captures your attention. Together, its remarkable design, architecture, and sound create a masterpiece of art that is not only awe-inspiring to look at, but also blissful to hear.

20/04/2020

Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story Out Now!

Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

The Taus is a bowed instrument known for its deep, mellow sound. It has four main strings and twenty frets, which are the keys to the notes. There are also around seventeen sympathetic strings on the Taus. The sound box is very big and hollow, and is covered with goat skin. Making the Taus requires great craftsmanship, as it is carved from a single piece of wood.

20/04/2020

Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story Out Now!

Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

The connection between a Sikh and their instrument is a sacred connection. We should nurture that relationship from a young age so that our future generation may develop a deeper understanding of Gurbani and the instruments that accompany them.

18/04/2020

Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story Out Now

Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

It's important the next generations of Sikhs continue the legacy of Kirtan using tanti saaj intruments so that we may continue the traditions set forth by the Gurus.

17/04/2020

Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story Out Now

Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

In Kirtan, the Shabad is the core message. The Shabad within Guru Granth Sahib is always at the centre. This differentiates Kirtan from Raag singing.

16/04/2020

Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story

Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

The documentary explores the origins of traditional Sikh instrumentation and how a French instrument found its way into every Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) to become the central instrument in performing traditional Sikh music. Through a series of interviews, musical performances and historical accounts, the film journeys from the introduction of Sikh music by the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, to the invasion of the British Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries that nearly destroyed all Sikh traditions.

15/04/2020

Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story Out Now

The gurbani contained within Guru Granth Sahib ji was compiled with the accompaniment of Raag. The Gurus had a deep understanding of the impact of music to transport the message contained within Gurbani. Find out more in the feature length documentary Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story

Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

11/04/2020

Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story Out Now!

Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

The Saranda has similar looking siblings including the Sirinda, Sarinda, Qechak, Gaychak, Nepali Sarangi, and many more. These instruments are still used in many countries/regions today such as: Pakistan, Sindh, Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Kabul, Kandahar and Iran. These instruments are used to play regional folk music.

It is important to note that the instruments used in these areas for folk music are not the same as the Sikh Saranda, which is used for singing Kirtan. The size, wood, structure and strings used for the other instruments are significantly different.

11/04/2020

Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story Out Now!

Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

The Saranda used to sing the Shabad of the Guru is an amazing blessing. This Saranda is a bowed instrument with three main gut strings and around 30 sympathetic strings. As you can see in the picture, it has a big, hollow sound box, which creates a unique, soul-pleasing sound.

11/04/2020

Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story Out Now!

Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

The Saranda was the blessing of Guru Arjan Dev, who created the instrument in Goindwal, a city in northern India, in his teenage years.

Not only did he create it, he used it to sing “Dhurr Ki Bani,” the sacred Hymns of the Creator. He urged his followers to practice and share the singing of sacred shabads (hymns) with the Saranda to elevate the soul.

10/04/2020

Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story Out Now!

Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

The Dilruba, which translates to ‘The Heart Stealer’ is a smaller, modified version of the Taus. The reason for its creation was predominantly due to the practicality of being able to travel with it, which was important for the warriors who served in the army of the Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, as all warriors kept their instruments with them at all times.

09/04/2020

My debut documentary Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story is available now.

Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

The word “Taus,” means “peacock” in Persian. It is named this because of its shape – the peacock. The name was originally pronounced, “Ta-voo-s” but over time is has changed and is now more commonly pronounced “Ta-oous.”

06/04/2020

Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story available to watch now!

Link: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

The Rabab was created to be the paintbrush of the mind and soul; a tool that could paint the many colors of emotions within us. A tool that was created to be the shadow of the ‘hymns’ that came through the creator. The grand feeling you get from playing the Rabab is something to be experienced.

06/04/2020

Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story Out Now! Link in Bio ☝🏾

The documentary explores the origins of traditional Sikh instrumentation and how a French instrument found its way into every Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) to become the central instrument in performing traditional Sikh music. Through a series of interviews, musical performances and historical accounts, the film journeys from the introduction of Sikh music by the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, to the invasion of the British Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries that nearly destroyed all Sikh traditions.

06/04/2020

Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story Out Now!

Link: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

The Rabab, the first instrument of the Sikhs. It originated from the ‘Arabic’ region. The Rabab, made by Bhai Firanda, known as ‘Firandia Rabab’ was a huge blessing. This Rabab was the spiritual tool used by Guru Nanak Dev. It never missed a beat or note, it was ready to be played night or day, and it never left the side of Bhai Mardana, Guru Nanak’s accompanying musician. Guru Nanak travelled for 27 years, and wherever he went, the Rabab strummed along in harmony. The Firandia Rabab used by Bhai Mardana was a modification of the Afghani Rabab.

05/04/2020

Available to rent now at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sikhmusicalheritage

The award-winning, feature-length documentary Sikh Musical Heritage - The Untold Story, explores the origins of traditional Sikh instrumentation and how a French instrument found its way into every Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) to become the central instrument in performing traditional Sikh music. Through a series of interviews, musical performances and historical accounts, the film journeys from the introduction of Sikh music by the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, to the invasion of the British Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries that nearly destroyed all Sikh traditions.

03/04/2020

03/04/2020

03/04/2020