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Explore Ramkali Ki Var

The Guru Granth Sahib Project

Tuesday
,
16
August
2022

The Guru Granth Sahib Project is pleased to launch the annotation of Ramkali Ki Var by Rai Balvand and Sata Dum.

The Guru Granth Sahib Project is pleased to launch the annotation of Ramkali Ki Var by Rai Balvand and Sata Dum.

This Bani is composed in Ramkali, a rag (musical mode) that evokes compassion. Ramkali Ki Var is composed by Rai Balvand and Sata Dum in praise of the first five Gurus. It is a historically significant var (ballad). It describes the anointment (tika) of various Gurus to the Guruship. It is said that after this var was composed, it continued to be recited during the anointment ceremony of the successive Gurus. For these reasons, scholars have also called it ‘Tike Di Var’ (var of anointment).

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In This Video

Jasleen Kaur

Research Associate

Jasleen Kaur is a Research Associate at the Sikh Research Institute. She has received a Religious Studies B.A./M.A. from the University of Virginia, focusing on South Asian Religions through the lens of literature and poetry.

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