ABSTRACT
The nagar kirtan, though not established by the founder of the tradition, has become an essential part of the Sikh world. The nagar kirtan is a way that Sikhs stayed connected to their tradition, both within Punjab and in the diaspora. This chapter will discuss the history of the nagar kirtan, its implications, uses, its relationship with the Guru, and an ethnography of the Yuba City nagar kirtan. The manifest and latent functions of the nagar kirtan are also explored. Attention is drawn to the evolution of the nagar kirtans, from their humble beginnings to the extravagant events they are today.
