Pritam Singh Zakhmi at Gurmat Sangeet Vidhyala Singha Wala. Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi’s son, Rajbinder Singh, was sent to learn tabla from Prof. In 1969, they began learning from renowned vocalist, Karam Singh Chakravorty in Nakodar.
Following this incident, they decided to change their method and began to perform in the regular way, with their instruments placed on the floor. They performed the same ‘dhadhi’ style of Kirtan and after the program, the Gurdwara committee members commended their Kirtan but also very nicely suggested that they would fare better by forming a proper Kirtani jatha. In 1969, during the 500-year birthday celebration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, they were booked at Naka Hindola Gurdwara in Lucknow. This jatha consisted of Bhai Sohan Singh Rasia on mandolin and Bhai Sant Singh on tabla. It was only in 1968 that Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi formed a Kirtani jatha, but even then, their style was that of a ‘dhadhi jatha’ with the harmoniums placed on a table. This newly formed jatha went on tour all around India for many years. In 1948, he formed a ‘dhadhi jatha’ with Bhai Sohan Singh Rasia, Ustad Sundar Singh on ‘sarangi’ and Sardar Singh on banjo and ‘dhad’. He was brought to Sant Prem Singh Ji’s new ‘dera’ in Wadi Miani, Kapurthala and spent many years here. At the same time, Sant Prem Singh Ji had sent people to look for him and they found him in 1948. After spending a short time in Dera Baba Nanak, he went to Qadian, the birthplace of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. He had to leave all his belongings behind in Pakistan as well. He gave them 10 minutes of stage time, during which they mesmerized the audience and following this performance, they gained popularity rapidly.įollowing the division of Punjab, Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi got separated from his family and came to Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur. This was non other than Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi who was in charge of the festival. Someone told them to approach the ‘Sardar’ who was wearing a white turban with sun-glasses. This was before they became famous and they came in tattered clothes requesting to perform on stage. In 1941, a young Salamat Ali Khan attended one of these festivals with his elder brother, Nazakat Ali Khan. True to Sant Prem Singh Ji’s words, Bhai Gyan Singh Ji’s voice never changed until the end.īefore the partition in 1947, there were many music festivals and shows being held in Marala. He instantly said ‘Wah! Gyan Singh Wah! Your voice will always remain like this”. Jogi Ji had performed a beautiful ‘Alaap’ at a high pitch and this touched Sant Prem Singh Ji in his heart. One day, as Sant Prem Singh Ji walked into his ‘dera’ after returning from a trip, he heard Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi doing Kirtan. Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi received most of his ‘taleem’ in classical music from Ustad Barkat Ali Khan. Many renowned Raagis and Ustads used to visit the ‘dera’ to teach music to the children living there, and among them was Ustad Barkat Ali Khan. He went to Sant Prem Singh Ji’s ‘dera’ in 1921 and began to learn Kirtan. At that time, he could do simple Kirtan, but then he met Sant Prem Singh Ji from Marala, who had a fine taste in music and was very knowledgeable himself. This interaction developed his interest in Kirtan. His father was a buffalo trader but his older brother was serving as a Granthi in the Gurdwara.
Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi was born in 1904 in the city of Sialkot, which is now in Pakistan.