Golden Temple: What is the controversy behind Harmonium and its British connection?

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing controversy over the Gyanvapi mosque and Taj Mahel, another dispute has started brewing in the Golden Temple of Amritsar, Punjab. According to media reports, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has been asked by an Akal Takhat leader to replace the harmonium from Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) with traditional string instruments.

This raises several questions in mind such as why the leader asked the committee to do so, is it feasible to remove Harmonium? Below in this article, we are going to discuss the controversy and the possible answers to the mentioned questions.

Music scholars extend support 

It is reported that Giani Harpreet Singh, the Jathedar of the Akal Takht, put the demand before the SGPC, claiming the harmonium was brought to the temple by the British. It is against our real tradition of the Sikh community.

He added the instrument has colonial roots so it is an inappropriate medium for delineation of Gurani — a Sikh term used to refer to various writers of Guru Granth Sahib.

Following the demand by the Akal Takht Jathedar, a group of music scholars also backed it. In their opinion, they said Guru Nanak Dev ji, or the first Sikh guru who is considered to be the first-ever Kirtan singer in Sikhism never use a harmonium. It was only introduced after the Britishers arrived in India. They opined harmonium was imposed by them.

How much is it feasible to remove Harmoniums from Golden Temple?

According to a report of a leading daily, at least 15 singers perform bhajan at Harmandir Sahib for 20 hours. They change their ragas depending on the time of day and the season.

However, only five of these groups have the expertise to perform bhajan without harmonium. At present, they do not have the practice of other instruments based on stings like rabab and Saranda. So, it can be said the demand is feasible but the final decision-making body is here SGPC.