Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
#dagadrum #chinesedrum #sikhmusic #nagaradrum
BeiBei Wang opened the Guru Nanak's Message of Peace through Music performance with the Da Ga Drum, a Chinese percussion instrument chosen to evoke the Nagara—a traditional battle drum played in Gurdwaras.
*History and Origins of Nagara*
The Nagara, derived from the Persian word "naqqarah" meaning kettledrum, has deep roots in South Asian military and royal traditions as a battlefield instrument used to signal army advances and proclaim sovereignty. In 1684, Guru Gobind Singh commissioned a special kettledrum at Anandpur Sahib, naming it the "Ranjit Nagara"—literally "the drum of victory in the battlefield". This act was part of the Guru's adoption of temporal authority symbols alongside his spiritual office, transforming the war drum into a declaration of Khalsa sovereignty.
The drum was beaten daily at the Keshgarh Sahib throne as a proclamation of the Sikh nation's independence, and Guru Gobind Singh made it obligatory that the Nagara be beaten before the closing of Gurdwaras. Today, the Nagara remains an integral part of Gurdwara tradition, where its deep, resonant beats accompany prayers such as ardas, struck rhythmically as the congregation responds with "Waheguru," and is also played during religious processions and festivals, embodying the Sikh spirit of courage, devotion, and communal unity.
*About the Project*
Performance Date: 6 April 2025
Venue: Barbican Centre, London
This project explored how Guru Nanak’s timeless message of equality, compassion and spiritual awakening continues to resonate. Music was central to his mission—he travelled with Bhai Mardana, a Muslim rababi, using song to share spiritual wisdom beyond caste and creed. Darbar honoured this tradition by bringing musicians of diverse faiths onto one stage, spreading unity and peace.
*Credits*:
*Musicians*
Aruna Sairam (carnatic vocals)
Zeeshan Ali (sufi vocals)
Bhai Anantvir Singh (kirtania)
Amrita Kaur (kirtania)
Momin Khan (sarangi)
Patri Satish Kumar (mridangam)
Giridhar Udupa (ghatam)
Surdarshan Chana (tabla & jori)
Gurdain Rayatt (tabla)
Beibei Wang (da ga drum)
*Darbar Team*
Sandeep Virdee OBE (Artistic Director)
Simrat Lall (Darbar Festival Manager)
María Guardiola (Festivals and Events Manager)
Depesh Patel (Events Manager)
Jamie Craven (Head of Design)
Rahul Ravindran (Creative Video Editor)
Sana Ejaz (Marketing Executive)
Zahabiya Patharia (Marketing Executive)
Christoph Bracher (Head of Sound)
*Filming Crew*
Pritpal Sagoo (Digital Consultant)
Gurwinder Soor (Content Creator and Platform Manager)
Tom Grancia (Technical Production)
Carl Owen (Camera Operator)
Chris Connel (Camera Operator)
Anup Parmar (Camera Operator)
Nick Morchang (Camera Operator)
*Technical Team*
Phil Jones (Front of House Sound)
John Duckett (Sound Monitors)
Mark Gardner (Lighting Designer)
________________________________________________________________
Darbar believes in the power of Indian classical arts to stir and inspire. Since 2006, we have delivered live events, education, broadcasts and digital experiences, while supporting new talent from India and the UK.
© 2025 Darbar Arts Culture Heritage Trust. All Rights Reserved.
#dagadrum #chinesedrum #sikhmusic #nagaradrum
BeiBei Wang opened the Guru Nanak's Message of Peace through Music performance with the Da Ga Drum, a Chinese percussion instrument chosen to evoke the Nagara—a traditional battle drum played in Gurdwaras.
*History and Origins of Nagara*
The Nagara, derived from the Persian word "naqqarah" meaning kettledrum, has deep roots in South Asian military and royal traditions as a battlefield instrument used to signal army advances and proclaim sovereignty. In 1684, Guru Gobind Singh commissioned a special kettledrum at Anandpur Sahib, naming it the "Ranjit Nagara"—literally "the drum of victory in the battlefield". This act was part of the Guru's adoption of temporal authority symbols alongside his spiritual office, transforming the war drum into a declaration of Khalsa sovereignty.
The drum was beaten daily at the Keshgarh Sahib throne as a proclamation of the Sikh nation's independence, and Guru Gobind Singh made it obligatory that the Nagara be beaten before the closing of Gurdwaras. Today, the Nagara remains an integral part of Gurdwara tradition, where its deep, resonant beats accompany prayers such as ardas, struck rhythmically as the congregation responds with "Waheguru," and is also played during religious processions and festivals, embodying the Sikh spirit of courage, devotion, and communal unity.
*About the Project*
Performance Date: 6 April 2025
Venue: Barbican Centre, London
This project explored how Guru Nanak’s timeless message of equality, compassion and spiritual awakening continues to resonate. Music was central to his mission—he travelled with Bhai Mardana, a Muslim rababi, using song to share spiritual wisdom beyond caste and creed. Darbar honoured this tradition by bringing musicians of diverse faiths onto one stage, spreading unity and peace.
*Credits*:
*Musicians*
Aruna Sairam (carnatic vocals)
Zeeshan Ali (sufi vocals)
Bhai Anantvir Singh (kirtania)
Amrita Kaur (kirtania)
Momin Khan (sarangi)
Patri Satish Kumar (mridangam)
Giridhar Udupa (ghatam)
Surdarshan Chana (tabla & jori)
Gurdain Rayatt (tabla)
Beibei Wang (da ga drum)
*Darbar Team*
Sandeep Virdee OBE (Artistic Director)
Simrat Lall (Darbar Festival Manager)
María Guardiola (Festivals and Events Manager)
Depesh Patel (Events Manager)
Jamie Craven (Head of Design)
Rahul Ravindran (Creative Video Editor)
Sana Ejaz (Marketing Executive)
Zahabiya Patharia (Marketing Executive)
Christoph Bracher (Head of Sound)
*Filming Crew*
Pritpal Sagoo (Digital Consultant)
Gurwinder Soor (Content Creator and Platform Manager)
Tom Grancia (Technical Production)
Carl Owen (Camera Operator)
Chris Connel (Camera Operator)
Anup Parmar (Camera Operator)
Nick Morchang (Camera Operator)
*Technical Team*
Phil Jones (Front of House Sound)
John Duckett (Sound Monitors)
Mark Gardner (Lighting Designer)
________________________________________________________________
Darbar believes in the power of Indian classical arts to stir and inspire. Since 2006, we have delivered live events, education, broadcasts and digital experiences, while supporting new talent from India and the UK.
© 2025 Darbar Arts Culture Heritage Trust. All Rights Reserved.
