Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
#TeerthaVitthalaKshetraVitthala #Abhang #GuruNanak #Ragas #sikhhistory #Khalsa #waheguru #sikhteachings #gurunanak #spiritualjourney #punjabiculture
Sant Namdev (1270-1350)
Savour the melodic voice of Aruna Sairam as she performs Sant Namdev’s abhang ‘Teertha Vitthala, Kshetra Vitthala’; the power in her voice echoes the power in the message of the abhang- worshipping Vitthala, the beloved form of Krishna, is intimately personal and universally present. Accompanied by Momin Khan, Patri Kumar, Surdarshan Chana, Giridhar Udupa, and Gurdain Rayatt, this moving abhang reflects Guru Nanak’s message of peace: emphasising oneness, equality, and the importance of worship for everyone.
Sant Namdev (1270-1350) wrote this poem to reflect his personal relationship with Vitthala- the narrative voice of the abhang calls out to Vitthala, expressing a deep longing and joy for his presence. It is a beautiful reflection of God’s presence: universal, dwelling even amongst ordinary people, in the hearts of family members and friends. It reminds the listener that the path to God is easy to find, and one should never stray from it.
*TRANSLATION:*
*Teertha Vittala Kshetra Vittala Deva Vittala Devapuja*
Vittala Vitthala is a holy body of water, Vitthala is a holy land.
Vithtala is God and Vitthala is Worship
*Maathaa Vittala Pithaa Vittala Bandhu Vittala Gotra Vittala*
Vitthala is my mother and Vitthala is my father.
Vitthala is my friend and Vitthala is my clan
*Guru Vittala Gurudevataa Vittala Nidhaana Vittala Nirantara Vittala*
The supreme path of devotion to Lord Rama is open—why choose lesser paths?
*Naamaa Mhane Maja Vittala Saapadalaa Mhanuni Kalikaala Paata Naahi*
Namdev says ‘I have found sanctuary in Vitthala’.
‘Even in this Kali yuga, I can come to no harm!’
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.
#TeerthaVitthalaKshetraVitthala #Abhang #GuruNanak #Ragas #sikhhistory #Khalsa #waheguru #sikhteachings #gurunanak #spiritualjourney #punjabiculture
Sant Namdev (1270-1350)
Savour the melodic voice of Aruna Sairam as she performs Sant Namdev’s abhang ‘Teertha Vitthala, Kshetra Vitthala’; the power in her voice echoes the power in the message of the abhang- worshipping Vitthala, the beloved form of Krishna, is intimately personal and universally present. Accompanied by Momin Khan, Patri Kumar, Surdarshan Chana, Giridhar Udupa, and Gurdain Rayatt, this moving abhang reflects Guru Nanak’s message of peace: emphasising oneness, equality, and the importance of worship for everyone.
Sant Namdev (1270-1350) wrote this poem to reflect his personal relationship with Vitthala- the narrative voice of the abhang calls out to Vitthala, expressing a deep longing and joy for his presence. It is a beautiful reflection of God’s presence: universal, dwelling even amongst ordinary people, in the hearts of family members and friends. It reminds the listener that the path to God is easy to find, and one should never stray from it.
*TRANSLATION:*
*Teertha Vittala Kshetra Vittala Deva Vittala Devapuja*
Vittala Vitthala is a holy body of water, Vitthala is a holy land.
Vithtala is God and Vitthala is Worship
*Maathaa Vittala Pithaa Vittala Bandhu Vittala Gotra Vittala*
Vitthala is my mother and Vitthala is my father.
Vitthala is my friend and Vitthala is my clan
*Guru Vittala Gurudevataa Vittala Nidhaana Vittala Nirantara Vittala*
The supreme path of devotion to Lord Rama is open—why choose lesser paths?
*Naamaa Mhane Maja Vittala Saapadalaa Mhanuni Kalikaala Paata Naahi*
Namdev says ‘I have found sanctuary in Vitthala’.
‘Even in this Kali yuga, I can come to no harm!’
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.
