AI Generated Summary
- This was seen at Guru Harkrishan Public School, Loni Road, where, on the occasion of a Prakash Parv, the school had specially trained a group of children as a Dhadi Jatha.
- Today, the situation has become such that Punjabi singers are invited for performances for large sums of money, whereas those Dhadis who spread Gurbani, narrate the history of Sikh Gurus and martyrs, and inspire the youth through their storytelling—find almost no listeners.
- The tradition of Dhadi performances began during the time of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, who would personally invite Dhadis to perform in his court.
The tradition of Dhadi performances began during the time of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, who would personally invite Dhadis to perform in his court. Later, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who had great love for poets, also frequently listened to Dhadi groups. Until the 1990s, Dhadi groups regularly participated in celebrations such as Guru Sahib’s birth anniversaries, martyrdom days, and other religious gatherings.
Many well-known Punjabi singers—such as Harbhajan Mann and Gursewak Mann—began their careers as members of Dhadi groups. However, due to the declining interest in Dhadis within society, many such artists abandoned their Sikh appearance and moved towards mainstream Punjabi music. Following them, many young people also gave up their Sikh identity simply because they felt ignored by the community.
Today, the situation has become such that Punjabi singers are invited for performances for large sums of money, whereas those Dhadis who spread Gurbani, narrate the history of Sikh Gurus and martyrs, and inspire the youth through their storytelling—find almost no listeners.
There was a time when Dhadi groups were formally trained even in kirtan academies. Yet, there are still some people who value Dhadis and give them the respect they deserve. This was seen at Guru Harkrishan Public School, Loni Road, where, on the occasion of a Prakash Parv, the school had specially trained a group of children as a Dhadi Jatha. With great enthusiasm, these children narrated the history of Guru Nanak Dev Ji through Dhadi ballads, performing as excellently as any renowned Dhadi group.
The school’s chairman, Paraminder Singh Lucky, believes that if Dhadi groups are trained and encouraged in all schools, this tradition can definitely be preserved—otherwise it may soon disappear entirely. Impressed by the children’s Dhadi performance, the Takht Patna Sahib Committee has invited them to perform at the Takht Sahib.
