Snatam Kaur Captivates Me with Ek Ong Kaar
Posted by: chris in Kirtan, Sikhism, Snatam KaurOne of the things I like about listening to internet radio at work, is that I get introduced to artists that I would have otherwise overlooked. Snatam Kaur is one of those. I had seen her CDs in music stores, but was never moved to check them out. But then while at work I kept hearing this one song over and over - Ek Ong Kaar - and it got a hold of me. The more I heard it, the more I became mesmerized by it until I had to find out who the artist was.
That was when I was re-introduced to the devotional music of the Sikh faith.
I had attended a spiritual event at the new Sikh Gurdwara in San Jose a couple of years ago and for some reason could not get into the music. Perhaps it just wasn’t the right time, although I did enjoy being in the temple and witnessing the ceremony. So I was surprised when I found out about Snatam Kaur’s Sikh background, and that her songs were inspired by that faith. The words to that song that has haunted me are actually the words of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh guru:
Jat Paahaaraa dheeraj suniaar
Aharan mat vayd hathi-aar
Bhau khalaa agan tap taa-o
Bhaandaa bhaa-o amrit tit dhal.
Gharee-ai shabad sachee taksaal.
Jin Kau nadar karam tin kaar.
Nanak Nadaree Nadar Nihaal“
The ironic thing is that the melody has a very wistful feel to it. If there is anything sad going on my life or in the life of someone close to me, that situation is felt strongly whenever I listen to Ek Ong Kaar. Yet the meaning of the words are not sad at all, but very inspirational:
The Creator is One
Let self-control be your furnace, and patience your goldsmith.
Let understanding be your anvil, and spiritual wisdom your hammer.
With the Fear of God as your bellows, fan the flames of the body’s inner heat, the Tapa.
In the crucible of love, melt the Nectar of the Name.
In your heart the Divine Sound Current is forged.
Such is the labor of those upon whom God has given the Glance of Grace.
Oh Nanak, God gives this Glance of Grace to those people and they are filled with absolute joy and fulfillment.
You can hear the song in the first part of this video I found on YouTube:
Loading...Or listen to a short audio clip here:
Her songs actually show quite a bit of variety, relatively speaking. Some are in English, and they are all easy to listen to. She is scheduled to appear in Palo Alto on 5/19 and I’m definitely going! I’ll be sure to report on my experience.
Be sure to visit Snatam Kaur’s very beautiful web site: Snatam Kaur
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I can definitely feel a sort of relaxing ageless wisdom from the music. I will have to see if I cannot find more. Also you may be interested in Ratnabali and Chloe Goodchild, both of these artists’ do a fantastic job of songs of mantra japa meditation along with other spiritually up lifiting songs. I can’t help but feel empowered after listening and I must say I get the same thing listening to this.
This is truly an excellent find.
Pax Vobiscum,
JackDirt
Thank you. I’ll be sure to check out Ratnabali and Chloe Goodchild. This kind of music has become very important to me, even on a daily basis.
Peace.
I know what you mean by that quality in some music - a sadness that is still inspirational, or the sadness itself is involved in the inspirational quality.
Yes, I’m also amazed at the way music can intensify whatever else may be going on in your life. She is certainly able to let the divine shine through music.