Tribute to Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji (23 Dec 2012, Sri Bhaini Sahib) by Raagi Baljeet Singh
Raagi Baljeet Singh Ji’s musical tribute:
ਧਰ ਜੀਅਰੇ ਇਕ ਟੇਕ ਤੂ ਲਾਹਿ ਬਿਡਾਨੀ ਆਸ ॥
Dhhar Jeearae Eik Ttaek Thoo Laahi Biddaanee Aas ||
ਸੁਣਿ ਸਾਜਨ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਸੰਦੇਸਰਾ ਅਖੀ ਤਾਰ ਲਗੰਨਿ ॥
Sun Saajan Praem Sandhaesaraa Akhee Thaar Lagann ||
About Raagi Baljeet Singh: His first lessons in the music were home, guided by his parents. His Holiness Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji, took note of the child’s talent and put him under expert guidance of famous vocalist Ustad Mohinder Singh of Punjab. Later, Ustad Baljit Singh became a disciple of Ustad Pyara Singh, who was a veteran Tar Shehnai artist of Delhi Akashwani. After sometime the sitar wizard, Ustad Vilayat Ali Khan also took him under his wings.
Ustad Bismillah Khan & Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji had great mutual respect for each other. Ustad Bismillah Khan seldom accepted students. In 1985 he had a meeting with Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji (the then master of the Namdhari Sikhs), where he saw a talented young boy called Baljit Singh Namdhari playing the Tar-Shehnai, and welcomed him as a student. At the time Baljeet Singh was learning from Ustad Piyara Singh. (Later, in 1999 Ustad Bismillah Khan adopted two more Tar-Shehnai namdhari pupils, named Kirpal Singh and Gurbaksh Singh Namdhari). Ustad Bismillah Khan (Mar 21,1916-Aug 21,2006) was an Indian shehnai maestro. He was the third classical musician to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour in India and gained worldwide acclaim for playing the shehnai for more than eight decades.
Baljeet Singh accompanied His Holiness Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji on many of his tours abroad and in India. In 1983, Baljit Singh took a major stride on his way to fame and achievement when he won the first place in All India Radio Competition. In 1998 the trio of of Baljit Singh, Bhai Gurmeet Singh and Master Fateh Singh Namdhari were awarded with the Bhai Mardana Award in Ludhiana. In 2004 they were pleasured by Shiromani Ragi Award with the Punjabi Bhasha Vibhag, Punjab. In 2005 again they achieved the Shiromani Ragi Award by Delhi Govt.
ਝਾਗੜਦੰਗ ਨਾਗੜਦੰਗ ਬਾਗੜਦੰਗ ਬਾਜੇ ॥
Jhaagrhadang Naagrhadang Baagrhadang Baaje ॥
(Various sounds of musical instruments are resounding)
Gur Jaisa Nahi Ko Dev
Nirmal Rasna Amrit Peo
Oha Prem Piri
Aaj More Aaye Hain
Ke Zahar Zahoor Hai Ke Hazar Hazoor Hai
Mil Sangat Dhan Dhan Karoh
Inhi Ki Kirpa
Tum Ho Sab Rajan Ke Raja
Meri Abai Binti Sun Leejai
Taar Shehnai and Santoor Instrumental
Links:
http://www.ustadbaljitsingh.com/
https://www.facebook.com/gurusangeetacademy/