PATIALA:  Punjabi University, Patiala, will be transformed into a nerve-centre of Indian classical music. It will have its name embossed on the horizon of classical music with the launch of Bhai Mardana Classical Sangeet Sammelan on the pattern of internally acclaimed Harvallabh Sangeet Sammelan, to be held on the University campus from September 17 to 19.

This will be followed by a Gurmat Sangeet Utsav to be held in the first week of October in which only noted classical vocalists will be invited for reciting the Sikh divine music.

This was stated by Dr Jaspal Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, while presiding over a function of releasing seven DVDs of singing of parhtaal gayaki(exclusive form of Sikh divine music recital) by 21 singers, organised by the University's Department of Gurmat Sangeet here Thursday.

Describing the recital of this exclusive form of divine music as a path-breaking attempt, Dr Singh said that this will go a long way in transforming and establishing the singing of gurubani in its purest form. The University, he said, will make all out efforts for the furtherance of Gurmat Sangeet in every possible manner acknowledging it as its religious responsibility.

An authority on Indian Classical music, Surinder Singh "Singh Bandhu" said that parhtaal gayaki was the most arduous and subtle form of singing even as it was the singular constituent of Guru Granth sahib. The effort of preserving this musical form in shape of recordings was a great task as it was dissolving into oblivion, he said.

Dr Gurnam Singh, HoD of Gurmat Sangeet, said that the 21 singers of international repute have made this onerous task possible while the Finetouch Music Company has taken a "big risk" by recording this "unpopular" style of singing without caring for its commercial loss.