Saturday, June 17, 2006

Click here for Episode 8

Sat Sri Akal
WGJKK WGJKF

Welcome to Episode 8

Yes, we're back and now have all our new equipment fully installed in our new studio.
We really hope you like the 'new' sound.

Episode 8 is available from i-tunes, immediately and from the link above on average 24 hours after the date of this posting.

This week's featured intro is from Johnny Cash's version of One.

Our programme is sectioned into 5 parts:

Part 1:
This week we explore common Sikh words followed by a Shahbad translation.

Part 2:
The Shabad translation this week is from the Shabad: Hum maile tum oojal kartay -
This version was sung by Sonu Nigam from the CD Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam.

Hum mailay tum oojal kartay hum nirgun tu data
Hum moorakh tum chatur siyanay tu sarab kala ka
giyata,
Madho hum aisay tu aisa,
Hum papi tum pap khandan neeko thakur desa
(Rahau)
Tum sabh sajay saj nivajay jeeo pind de prana
Nirgunaray gun nahi koi tum dan deho miharvana.
Tum karuh bhalla hum bhalo na janah tum
sada sada daiyala,
Tum sukhdai purkh bidhatay tum rakhu apanay
bala,
Tum nidhan atal sultan jeea junt sabh jachay
Kah Nanak hum ihay havala rakh santan kay
pachhay.

The Shabad is translated as follows:

We are filthy (It means wicked or vicious). You are Immaculate; we are devoid of
merit, You are Beneficent Lord.

We are ignorant, You are intelligent and wise.

You are the master of all arts.

O God! such we are and You are different.
Your abode is beauteous. (Pause)

You are the Creator and the Blesser of all. You have
given us the soul, the body and life.

We are meritless; we have no virtue. Bless us with the
gift of virtue, O Merciful Lord.

You do us goog and we know not Your goodness. You
are ever compassionate.

You are the Creator, the Giver of bliss. Save us as we
are your children.

As our Eternal King, and spiritual treasure. All come
to You in supplication.

Nanak says: As I am, please protect me and so honour
Your saints (It is the quality of God to protect His saints. Guru Nanak invokes God's
blessin on that score).

Source: Hyms from Guru Granth Sahib : Hemkunt Press

Part 3
In the Sikh History section we cover a brief history of Guru Ram Das Ji -
Source: The Sikhs Theie Religious Beliefs and Practices by W. Owen Cole and Piara Singh Sambhi.

Part 4
The story this week is also about Guru Ram Da Ji during the time he became the 4th Guru of the Sikhs.
Source: Stories from Sikh History Book-II : Hemkunt Press

Part 5
Our inspirational music this week if from an artist called Dido. She suggests that really our life is for rent and we need to make the most of it.

As I mentioned in previous Podcasts I was really excited about Snatam Kaur's Peace tour coming to London. We close with a medley of Shabads sung by her. You can see the accompanying videos on a June '06 blog posting.

Thanks for being patient on waiting for Episode 8.
We welcome your feedback and suggestions.
You can leave a public / viewable comment below or send an email at:

Sikhwithinremovethisfirst@removethis2yahoo.com

WGJKK WGJKF

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Snatam Kaur in London May 2006

With our new studio in place, (NB testing took place for much of the evening of Sunday 10th June), we hope to provide both an improvement in audio quality and an increase in frequency of episodes.

Snatam Kaur and Party in London 2006
On 28th May 2006, it was fantastic to see Snatam Kaur 'live' in West London. I had a wonderful opportunity to say a quick Hi! - and also obtain permission to feature some snippets from this event. In addition, some 'streaming' video footage and a photograph is available below:

















The event took place at The Park Avenue Gurdwara in Southall, West London.
You can read a review of the event at:

http://drsavi.blogspot.com/2006/05/we-must-become-light.html

In terms of Sikwithin Episodes 8, both Episode 8 and Episode 9 will be following very shortly. The latter will be a special in honour of the 400th anniversary of the Martyrdom of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji.

All the best.

Dr Savi

Monday, June 05, 2006

Studio Upgrade at Sikhwithin

One of the things we believe are essential in developing podcasts is the importance of quality.
Quality is applicable across many spheres:

- Reliability of sources
- Appropriate translations
- Appropriate use of language, for example, being respectiful and
- Quality of recordings.

With regard to the latter, we are now investing in better equipment (i.e, audio interfacing and powered microphones).

Developing a programme also requires effective scripting, linkages and opportunities for interacting.

Our studio upgrade will offer improvements in sound and the potential for portability. The latter I hope will increase the frequency / regularity of new shows.

Of course, when you are in receipt of the new podcasts, we'd love to get your feedback on what you think about them.

In addition, to the studio upgrade we are also working closely with Spirit Voyage on bringing you wonderful snippets.

Thank you for your patience and all the best.