Sacred Sounds

More then 877,000 Indian soldiers, many of them Punjabi Sikhs, fought in WWI. Their involvement has only recently been fully acknowledged in remembrance of the Great War. Inspired by the discovery of a single photograph held by the British Library, this special concert uncovers the music the soldiers took with them to the camp and battlefield.

Interspersed by readings of Sikh soldiers’ letters, the concert explores the songs of the Great War, from ‘Shabads’, sacred Sikh hymns sung before battle, to a mother’s lament for a departing son. With Keertan Rehal, Kirpal Singh Panesar, Christella Litras and band.

Produced by Alchemy in association with SAA UK and The Network of Sikh Organisations.