Kavishari

Kavishari or kavishri (Punjabi: ਕਵੀਸ਼ਰੀ) is a style of Punjabi folk music entailing energetic and dynamic a cappella singing.[1] It was originated in the Malwa region of Punjab as a sung form of "Chhand-Baddh" kavita (poetry).[1][2]

Kavishari
Native name
ਕਵੀਸ਼ਰੀ
Cultural originsPunjab
Subgenres
  • Veer Ras (Heroic)
  • Shant Ras (Soulful)
  • Vairag Ras (Mystic)
  • Haas Ras (Comic)
Other topics
Music of Punjab
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A performer or writer of kavishari is known as a kavishar (Punjabi: ਕਵੀਸ਼ਰ).[3] In this style, kavita (poetry) is sung faster in a loud, yet stretched voice without any musical instruments.[4][5]

Kavishari is usually performed in melas, weddings, diwaans (religious functions), harvest celebrations (i.e. Visakhi), mehfils, etc.[6][7][8]

History

Kavishari was started in the Malwa region of Punjab by the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, as a sung form of "Chhand-Baddh" kavita (poetry).[1][2]

There was a need of a particular singing style or genre that could energize the Sikh soldiers. So the Kavishari was mostly sung about bravery, known as Veer Ras, one of the nine Ras' ('flavour'/'subgenre') of the genre.[1]

The term kavishar is made of two words: kavi means 'singer', and shayar means 'writer' or 'poet'. As such, "kavishar" means 'person who writes and sings (poetry)'.

Characteristics

Kavishari is based on vocal and wording/lyrics. Singing style is its voice, chhand is its body, and the ras ('flavour'/'subgenre') is its soul.[9] Many kind of chhands are used in kavishari. A noted kavishar of Punjab, Babu Rajab Ali, used some rare Chhands like Manohar Bhavani Chhand[10] and gave some new chhands like Bahattar Kala Chhand to kavishari as well as Punjabi literature.[11]

There are nine accepted Rasas (subgenres) of kavishari, out of which the most commonly known four are:

  • Veer Ras (Heroic)
  • Shant Ras (soulful or peaceful)
  • Vairag Ras (mystic)
  • Haas Ras (comic)

It was the Veer Ras that is most commonly sung today and specially for the need of which the genre was created.

Notable kavishars

Below are notable kavishars.

Malwa's kavishars include:

Majha's kavishars include:[9]

  • Bapu Bali Singh Gadiwind — known to be the father of the kavishari of Majha[9]
  • Gurdial Singh
  • P. Mohan Singh
  • Jarnail Singh Sabhra
  • Jagir Singh Mast — formed the original Jagowala jatha along with Nirmal Singh Chohla, Jarnail Singh, and Sulakhan Singh.
  • Joga Singh Jogi[12] — one of the notable kavishars of Majha[9]
    • Gurmukh Singh Johal
    • Dalbir Singh Gill

See also

References
  1. "Kavishari - Folk Music of Punjab". Buy music online. www.beatofindia.com. Retrieved 25 Feb 2012.
  2. "Babu Rajab Ali's Punjabi Poetry in Roman Script". Life and poetry of Babu Rajab Ali. www.apnaorg.com. Retrieved 31 Dec 2011.
  3. "Singers take offence". News in English. Ludhiana. The Tribune. April 12, 2004. Retrieved July 22, 2012. Demand apology from SAD candidate Dhillon for calling Ramoowalia lowly kavishar
  4. "ਕਵੀਸ਼ਰੀ 'ਸ਼ਬਦ' 'ਤੇ 'ਸੁਰ' ਦੀ ਖੇਡ ਹੈ". dhadikavishr.com. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  5. "Babu Rajab Ali's Kavishari – Online". Retrieved 31 December 2011 – via YouTube.
  6. "BATHINDA
    Gurupurb celebrated"    . The Tribune. January 12, 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  7. "Youth Fest: Elocution, debate dominate DayII". Ludhiana. The Tribune. November 7, 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  8. "Folk art contests from Feb 18". News in English. Jalandhar. The Tribune. February 3, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  9. "ਕਵੀਸ਼ਰੀ - ਕਵੀਸ਼ਰੀ 'ਸ਼ਬਦ' ਤੇ 'ਸੁਰ' ਦੀ ਖੇਡ ਹੈ". An article about kavishari in Punjabi language. www.dhadikavishr.com. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 25 Feb 2012.
  10. ਗੁਰਭਜਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਗਿੱਲ (14 July 2010). "ਸੱਤਰੰਗੀ ਪੀਂਘ ਵਰਗੀ ਹੈ ਰਜਬ ਅਲੀ ਦੀ ਕਵੀਸ਼ਰੀ". An article on Babu Rajab Ali's kavishari and poetry in Punjabi language. www.punjabstar.ca. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  11. "ਮਰਹੂਮ ਬਾਬੂ ਰਜਬ ਅਲੀ - ਬੈਂਤ". An article on Babu Rajab Ali in Punjabi language. www.punjabiaarsi.blogspot.com. 28 Oct 2009. Retrieved 25 Feb 2012.
  12. "Raaga > Punjabi > VARIOUS ARTISTS > Kavishri Bhai Joga Singh Jogi". Buy music online. www.raaga.com. Retrieved 25 Feb 2012.
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