Reports 2015

28th November 2015
Youth Program in Southall:

Led by Sooba Kuldip Singh Chana, the youngest children of Southall Sadh Sangat were encouraged and given guidance on how to do Naam Simran and attend in Sadh sangat. To draw in the kids , an event was organised in which the children were asked to take time on stage and express their abilities. The children performed shabads, sangeet, talks, kavitas and recited Bani to mark the Parkash purabs of SatguruNanak Dev Ji and Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji. After their performances the children were presented with tokens of appreciation including a assan, a certificate of participation andledger to keep a log their daily Naam Simran.

The following children performed:

  1. Rajan Singh Arora – Tabla Solo & recitation of Japji Sahib paath.
  2. Nantha Singh & Miss Nishan Kaur Matharu – Short geet
  3. Manpreet Kaur Matharu – performed the shabad ‘Rasanaa Japathee ThooheeThoohee’
  4. Attar Kaur Hanspal & Satpal Singh Chana – told Sakhis (short stories) of Guru Nanak Dev J
  5. Santa Singh Bhuller – shared extracts from Pavitaar Updesh of Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji.
  6. Sant Kaur Bhogal – shared with sangat the blessing showered by Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji on her father, Raagi Satvinder Singh
  7. Jaidev Singh Chana – kavita on Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji.

Brothers Gian Singh & Ganga Singh and sisters Sukhleen, Avneet and Namrita also  had stage time.

As the set protocol, the evenings proceedings had began with an hour of Naam Simran and ended with Kirtan by Ustads Harbhajan Singh and Gurdev Singh (accompanied by Raagi Satvinder Singh, Hakam Singh and Sarabjit Singh). They sang a melodic composition of Guru Arjan Dev’s bani – “Raaj N Chaaho Mukath N Chaaho Man Preeth Charan Kamalaarae”

Towards the end the children engaged with Bibi Harbhajan Kaur Chana, who explained the children why and how Naam Simran is done.

Saturday – 04 July 2015 – Jaswinder Singh Author and Historian.

Rarely we witness a gathering of three accomplished Namdhari historians, researchers and writers in UK. On Saturday – 04 July 2015, writer & historian Sant Jaswinder Singh visited Namdhari Sikh Sangat Southall. Along with Sant Tara Singh Anjan Ji, he is visiting the UK to categorise and index the work of the UK based researcher, the late S. Ajeet Singh Jeet. Also present in the congregation was S. Sant Singh and S. Tara Singh Anjan. The three have made gigantic contributions to the advancement of Namdhari History research.

Jaswinder Singh has deep knowledge of original documents and source material relating to Sikh history lying in National Archives of India, Burma and UK. He is also a renowned writer. His first book ‘Kukas of Note in the Punjab’ was widely appreciated. His other works include ‘Kuka Movement – Freedom struggle in Punjab’, ‘Satguru Bilas’, Namdhari Lehar’ and Satguru Ram Singh Ji de Hukamname’.

Based in Delhi and author of several books, Sant Tara Singh Anjan has brought to the fore, through his writings, the glowing history of Namdhari Movement with writings like ‘Namdhari Sikhs – A brief History’ and ‘Satguru Ram Singh and Kuka Movement’.

S Sant Singh is an engineer by profession, is deeply interested in the study of history and ancient literature. His wife, the late Mrs Beant Kaur (a writer in her own right) first compiled the well known and popular ‘The Namdhari Sikhs’. Recently he collected all the sermons of Satguru Partap Singh Ji and translated the immortal words in English. In 2015 the second part of the 5 Volumes of  ‘ Discourses of Satguru Partap Singh Ji’ was released.

The evening began with the commencement of a Varni for quest of Satguru Ram Singh Ji’s darshan. Alongside Shabad Kirtan was performed by Ustad Harbhajan Singh Ji. Teaming up with Ustad Gurdev Singh (Dilruba) and Tablist Narinderpal Singh, the Sangeet Natak award winner sang the poetic Gurbani shabads in melodious raags.

The shabads included Bhagat Bhikhan’s bani ਹਰਿ ਗੁਨ ਕਹਤੇ ਕਹਨੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥ (Har Gun Kehathae Kehan N Jaaee), followed by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s  ਹੋਈ ਰਾਜੇ ਰਾਮ ਕੀ ਰਖਵਾਲੀ ॥

(Hoee Raajae Raam Kee Rakhavaalee) and ਸਾਜਨ  ਤੇਰੇ ਚਰਨ ਕੀ ਹੋਇ ਰਹਾ ਸਦ ਧੂਰਿ ॥
(Saajan Thaerae Charan Kee Hoe Rehaa Sadh Dhhoor).

After the Kirtan, Sant Tara Singh introduced Jaswinder Singh. This was his second visit to the Namdhari Center in West London. In 2003, he gave audio lectures on the significance of 16 September in Namdhari history and the confinement of Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji in Rangoon. This time he  focused on the importance of promoting the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Satguru Ram Singh Ji. Citing his experiences on his many trips to Rangoon and Mergui (where Satguru Ram Singh Ji was deported and confined by the imperialist British rulers of the time), he brought home the lack of knowledge about the Guru and his socio-political and religious achievements amongst the general population. He shared with the Sadh Sangat that one of the few international recognitions was in ‘1000 Years, 1000 People’, (a publication which ranked the men and women who shaped the Millennium).

Jaswinder Singh urged all Namdharis to talk and share, wherever possible about Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji’s history in this the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji.

At the end of the evening program, Ustad Harbhajan Singh Ji presented an honor of gratitude to Prof. Jaswinder Singh.


 

13 June 2015 – Sangeet program in memory of Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji – with vocalist S Ramneek Singh.

Namdhari Sikh Sangat Southall was proud to host in memory of Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji an evening of Hindustan Vocal Music. Featuring Shirmati Ramneek Singh who is an accomplished vocal artist with more than thirty years of strict vocal training. Based in Canada, Ramneek has a Visharad (degree) from Bhatkhande Sangeet Vidyapeeth, and prides herself in being a purist from the Indore Gharana, a distinctively meditative and serene style of Khayal presentation, as institututed by Ustad Amir Khan. She is also well verse with performing Gurmat shabad kirtan. This evening was arranged by Ustad Surjeet Singh (sarangi vadak).

The Sadh Sangat did an hour of Naam Simran. The evening musical offering began with Rohan Singh Virdee (From US) and his accompanying artists singing Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s bani in the shabad ਅਪੁਨੇ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕੀ ਹਉ ਚ॥ (Apunae Thaakur Kee Ho Chaeree).

As Ustad Gurdev Singh introduced Ramneek Singh, the artists set up on stage. Ramneek Singh was accompanied by UK based musicians, Jasdeep Singh (Dilruba), Amanroop Kaur (Tanpura) and Manjit Singh Rasiya on Tabla. Manjit Singh is recognised as one of the UK’s finest Indian percussionists. Both Jasdeep Singh and Amanroop Kaur are progeny of UK based Raj Academy Conservatoire and students of Ustad Surjeet Singh. This was Ramneek Singh first visit to the UK.

Ramneek Singh began her performance with RAAG Yamaan. Starting with Alaap Vilambit in ek taal (12 beats) and followed by a Drut Bandish in teen taal (16 beats). Her presentation of Vilambit Khayal with utmost imagination and slow progression of swar elaboration, typical of the Amir Khani style.

She followed with a Drut bandish RAAG Megh Malhar finishing with a Taraana. She finished her performance with her unique style of rendering Shabad-Kirtan in the classical style. In a deep soulful voice, showing years of talim & riyaz, she sang a Shabad of Sri Guru Arjan Dev – ਜਿਸ ਕੇ ਸਿਰ ਊਪਰਿ ਤੂੰ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਸੋ ਦੁਖੁ ਕੈਸਾ ਪਾਵੈ ॥ (Jis Kae Sir Oopar Thoon Suaamee So Dhukh Kaisaa Paavai).

Ramneek Singh and her fellow artists were honoured by Namdhari Sikh Sangat Southall. Presentations were done by Suba Kuldeep Singh Chana and Sant Kuldeep Singh Ryatt.


 

2015 Basant Pamchmi Southall UK

24th January 2015 marked the Avtar Purab of the 12th master – Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji. All over the world Namdhari Sikhs marked the day with great vigour. On this particular Saturday evening Namdhari Sikh Sangat Southall got together to celebrate the 200th birth-day of Satguru Ram Singh. Celebrations continued at UK level the next day at Namdhari Gurdwara East London.

The evening’s happenings included Naam Simran, Kiran and Katha

For this occasion (During the Naam Simran), Sant Kirpal Singh Chana shared a special collection of disclosures of Satguru Pratap Singh Ji. It was compilation of Satguru Ji verses pertaining to references to Satguru Ram Singh Ji during his addresses to the sanagt over many years. It took Kirpal Singh many hours in 2014 to search and extract these statements and finally produce a CD of the collection. It is called “Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji Katha – Sri Satguru Partap Singh Ji de Pavitar Updesh”. This CD was presented in Sri Bhaini Sahib on Basant Panchnmi.

Ajeet Singh opened his address to the sangat with K C Kapoor’s statement ‘If we set aside all good deeds of Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji which he preached for goodness of whole mankind on one side, only his preaching for equal rights for men and women in the society take him to list of supreme reformers of the world‘ and explored the impact that Satguru Ram Singh Ji’s policies had on Women’s equal rights. He cited the large differences between the general population and Namdharis with regards to gender ratio, simple marriages, curse of dowry and other associated expenses with weddings, female infanticide, education and widow marriages. All these policies were laid down in Hukamnamas of Satguru Ram Singh Ji. He further expanded his points with the other reforms which Satguru Ram Singh Ji advocated.

Shabad and kirtan was done by pupils of Ustad Gurdev Singh Ji. The shabads ਬਿਸਰਿ ਗਈ ਸਭ ਤਾਤਿ ਪਰਾਈ (Bisar Gee Sabh Thaath Paraaee a Shabad by Guru Arjan Dev)and ਐਸੀ ਲਾਲ ਤੁਝ ਬਿਨੁ ਕਉਨੁ ਕਰੈ (Aisee Laal Thujh Bin Koun Karaia Shabad by Bhagat Ravi Dass) were performed by youngsters Nimrat Kaur, Vaneet Kaur Sian, Puneet Kaur Sian with tabla support by Sarabjit Singh.

Next on stage was youngster Jawand Singh Gatoray who presented his talk on the birth of Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji. He also spoke about how marayada & sikhi of Guru Gobind Singh was given a new life by the the 12th Guru.

Following this Bibi Harbhajan Kaur Chana read a kavita and engaged the sadh sangat with a Jottiaan de Shabad“Sada Kaur milan vidhyan aaj wich Riahan”

Following the closing Ardas, the sewa of Guru ka Langar was from the family of the late Sant Piara Singh Sian.

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