My journey, my Ardas

"The field recording (Ardas prayer) performed at the end of the Sikh worship, holds significant meaning for Sikhs worldwide. I have personally visited the Sikh temple in the UK where this field recording was made.

"In my composition, I’ve integrated the Ardas as a core element whilst additionally sampling my elderly father’s recollections of his personal migration experience at either end of the piece. The narrative is a recant of a migration experience and contemplative reflection, reverie or dream of the Ardas. The Ardas, acting as an anchor to culture and religion during migration.

"Musically, I’ve attempted to craft an open/dreamlike melodic and dynamic structure in line with the field recording. I’ve used Cubase software to compose – using a mixture of virtual instruments and royalty free samples for the melodic structure, dynamics and layering."

Sikh prayers in Southall reimagined by Jaspal Singh Bhogal.

Part of the Migration Sounds project, the world’s first collection of the sounds of human migration. 

For more information and to explore the project, see https://www.citiesandmemory.com/migration