Report of activities of CAOF for January 2008
Participation in Seminar on Gurmat Kaav: Prof. Jagdish Singh was invited by Pandit Mohan Lal Sanatam Dharam College, Gurdaspur on 24.01.2008. The seminar entitled “Gurmat Kaav” (Gurmat Poetry) was presided over by Principal Daljinder Kaur of the college.
Prof. Jagdish Singh was the Chief Guest of the seminar. In his lecture, Prof Singh made the students to understand the nature of language and various characteristics of poetry. He went on to elaborate, step by step, making the students understand the various tools and usages that are used by a poet in his poetry. He then elaborated on the various techniques used by the critics to analyse poetry. He made a comment on the name of the seminar i.e. “Gurmat Kaav” and differentiated between poetry and Gurmat. He drove home the point that true analysis of Gurbani is not possible by thinking of it as poetry. He then enlightened the gathering regarding the kind of approach that was needed to be developed to approach Gurbani in a manner that the It’s deepest of profound meanings are offered to the seeker. He also quoted several examples from the poetry of several Sufi poets and commented on the kind of language used by each while comparing it with the spiritual height that each poet has achieved in him. The language anyone uses in his poetry is reflective of his spiritual achievement.
In the end, the Principal thanked and felicitated Prof. Singh for his scholarship. In the discussions that followed over tea Prof. Singh told the students of the activities of UNITED SIKHS’ CAOF class and invited their association. The students and teachers from other colleges who were present in the seminar were very much inspired by his thoughts. The event was covered well by the print media that carried mention of UNITED SIKHS’ activities.
News report of the Seminar
Another news report
Venue: Pandit Mohan Lal Sanatam Dharam College, Gurdaspur
Date: 24.01.08
Regular CAOF Classes: Regular twice a week classes of CAOF continued in the Shaheed Sikh Missionary College, Amritsar. The class timings are 10.00 am on Saturdays and Sundays.
Weekly Kirtan Class: Prof. Surjit Singh of Shaheed Sikh Missionary College, Putlighar, Amritsar has very kindly agreed to teach kirtan to the CAOF class and this exercise has already begun. After the Sunday CAOF lecture, the desirous students now learn music from him. Prof. Surjit Singh is highly respected in the Panth fro being trainer to several of the Ragi Jathas that perform Kirtan in Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar. Needless to add that this is a sewa that he is not charging anything for.