Kirtan Reeti Riwaaz is a platform dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and spreading awareness about the rich musical heritage of Sikh devotional music.



In Sikhi, Kirtan refers to the singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib. These hymns were originally composed and sung by Sikh Gurus, saints, Gursikhs, and Bhatts in classical Raags (musical frameworks). Historically, these compositions were sung first and then recorded in handwritten Pothis (manuscripts) to preserve them. Some compositions, especially Saloks, were recited rather than sung, forming a distinct genre.



The original repertoire of Gurbani Sangeet includes various classical forms such as Chhants, Vaars/Pauris, Partaals, Ek-Padas, Du-Padas, and Ti-Padas, which align with the Dhrupad tradition. The compositions that date closest to the original source of musical expression—many of which are rare, ancestral, and passed down orally through generations—are known as Shabad Reets.
The word Reet is derived from Reeti/Riwaaz, meaning customs, traditions, or sacred practices. Therefore, the name "Kirtan Reeti Riwaaz" reflects the essence of restoring and honoring the traditional forms of Kirtan.



This initiative seeks to:
-Share rare and vintage Shabad Reets
-Evoke the spiritual and emotional depth of traditional Kirtan
-Offer narratives rooted in oral tradition
-Revive a repertoire that reflects the fineness, richness, and golden era of Sikh devotional music.



In contrast to today’s widespread use of Bollywood-style tunes in Gurdwaras, Kirtan Reeti Riwaaz aims to bring back the centuries-old tradition of singing Sikh hymns only in their original musical form.

Before the partition of India and Pakistan, the traditional Kirtan practices at Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) included performances by Rababis—Muslim musicians who were deeply devoted to the Sikh Gurus and played a vital role in preserving and performing Sikh sacred music. These Rababis, alongside Sikh Raagis, would begin their Kirtan by singing the Dandaut Manglacharan (a bowing invocation), followed by a Shabad Reet in the ancient Dhrupad style.



Dhrupad, a deeply meditative and powerful classical form, was once the most prominent musical tradition in Sikh Kirtan, especially during the early centuries. Sadly, this sacred style has now become nearly extinct and is rarely—if ever—heard in Gurdwaras today. The same decline applies to the singing of Vaars and traditional Dhunees (melodic frameworks), which once carried immense spiritual and musical significance.

The Quite Regret

The branding of Kirtan Reeti Riwaaz is designed to evoke a deep sense of nostalgia and quiet regret—a reflection on the rich repertoire of Sikh musical tradition that has been lost or forgotten over time. We carefully curated rare, archival images of the Golden Temple, along with photographs of historic Raagis and Rababis, to visually anchor the brand in authenticity.


These visuals were then processed through a vintage, retro-inspired aesthetic, creating a rich and emotionally resonant visual language that honors the depth, soul, and timeless beauty of the original Kirtan tradition.

Some of the visuals have also been processed to create abstract interpretations of seasonal Raags—such as Malhar (monsoon) and Basant (spring)—evoking the emotional and atmospheric essence of these compositions.
While categorizing the musical repertoire, we developed a color-coded visual system to distinguish each form. For Partaals, we used deep blue to reflect their rhythmic complexity and spiritual depth. For rare Shabad Reets, we applied the brand’s primary colors within the design templates to maintain consistency and reverence.


To represent the repertoire of Vaars and Pauris, we drew inspiration from the color palettes of ancient miniature paintings depicting Raags and Raaginis—selecting rich, symbolic hues directly derived from these historical artworks. This approach not only honors the musical tradition but also visually connects it to its artistic and cultural roots.