Hazoori Raagis – Sri Bhaini Sahib


Raagi Balwant Singh spearheads the current Hazoori Raagis Jatha (Contingent) at Sri Bhaini Sahib.

Born and brought up in Sri Bhaini Sahib. He started his musical career at the tender age of 8, with the blessing of His Holiness Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji, under the guidance of Bibi Narinder Kaur Ji and his maternal uncle S. Raagi Mohan Singh Ji.

Balwant Singh started music tuition from Ustad Harbhajan Singh ji disciple of famous musician of Jaipur Gharana late Pandit Mahadev Parsad Ji (kathak). He learnt many traditional Gurbani compositions as well as compositions of Jaipur Gharana from Ustad Ji.

Sri Satguru Ji made him the disciple of the legendary sitar maestro late Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan Sahib. He had the privilege to learn many bandishes composed by Khan Sahib himself. He also learnt Santoor from Ustad Harjinderpal Singh Ji (disciple of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma).

At Sri Bhaini Sahib, Balwant Singh learnt Dhrupad and khayal bandishes which Sri Satguru Ji had learnt from Ustad Udho Khan Sahib and his son Ustad Rahim Bakshji of Talwandi Gharana. He also learnt traditional compositions of Gurbani from His Holiness which Satguru Ji learnt from Ustad Harnam Singh Ji Chawinde Wale and Bhai Taba Ji Rababi.

Among his many awards, Balwant was honored with Certificate of Merit for Indian Classical music by the Government of Punjab in year 2002. He has performed in prestigious Sangeet Sammelans all over India. Recently he was given privilege by Ustad Zakir Hussain to perform in the Barsi of Ustad Allah Rakha Khan Sahib in Mumbai. He has toured extensively to different countries like USA, UK, Canada, Ireland, UAE, Thailand, Africa and Europe and performed successfully.

Harpreet Singh Namdhari (Sonu) was born in Gwalior. He started to learn tabla at his young age and got his initial training from late Pt. Narayan prasad Raton is of Gwalior. After seeing his skills in tabla SRI SATGURU JAGJIT SINGH JI the spiritual head of Namdhari sect blessed him and sent him to further his learning under the prestigious tutorship of the late Pandit. Ramji Mishra (son of late Pt. Anokhe Lal Mishra) the famous maestro of Banaras gharana. He was also a “ganda bandh” shagird of late Pt Krishna Rao Pandit Ji of Gwalior Gharana. He graduated in tabla from Khairagarh University in Madhya Pradesh.

Harpreet’s style of playing tabla is characterised by liveliness, softness, sweetness and taiyari of relas. He has performed with many great world Ustad of Indian classical music who are Ustad Vilayat Khan Sahib, Pt. Rajan Sajan Mishra and many others. Harpreet Singh has participated in many prestigious music concerts including  Sri Satguru Partap Singh Sangeet Sammelan, Baba Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan, Tansen Sangeet Sammelan. He performed at the  Guru Poornima Utsav in Mumbai in the presence of great Indian legends Ustad Zakir Hussain, Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma, Ustad Sultan Khan, Pt Dhruv Ghosh and other renowned artists of Indian classical music world.

Harpreet Singh has regularly performed in U.S.A, U.K., Europe, Thailand, Africa and Canada.



21 August 2011: Asa di Vaar
21 August 2011: Asa di Vaar by Hazuri raagis from Sri Bhaini Sahib in Southall
Raagis Balwant Singh, Mohan Singh & Harpreet Singh Sonu.

20 August 2011: Kirtan by Hazuri raagis from Sri Bhaini Sahib at NSS Southall
Raagis Balwant Singh, Mohan Singh & Harpreet Sonu perform kirtan on '5 badhro' diwas
Shabad Satgur paaey aapne (raag bahakda in rupak)

[audio:http://www.kukasikhs.com/kukasikhs/sound/2011/aug/5padrokirtan_20aug2011_nsss_jathasbs.mp3]

Dohra - Kar kirpa mohay

[audio:http://www.kukasikhs.com/kukasikhs/sound/2011/aug/5padrokirtan2_20aug2011_nsss_jathasbs.mp3]

UK 2010 Tour of Hazoori Raagis of Sri Bhaini Sahib
(Sant Balwant Singh, Sant Sukdev Singh & Sant Harpreet Singh 'sonu').
Performances in Southall on 4/5th Sept 2010:

Kirtan (4th Sept)
Ustaad Harbhajan Singh, Sant Balwant Singh, Sant Sukdev Singh & Sant Harpreet Singh sonu

[audio:http://www.kukasikhs.com/kukasikhs/sound/2010/hzsbs_nsss/04sept10_droopat_maanrayjaporamgopal_full.mp3] [audio:http://www.kukasikhs.com/kukasikhs/sound/2010/hzsbs_nsss/04sept10_gayesadhusadhuraye.mp3] [audio:http://www.kukasikhs.com/kukasikhs/sound/2010/hzsbs_nsss/04sept10_sajnasantaaoomere.mp3] [audio:http://www.kukasikhs.com/kukasikhs/sound/2010/hzsbs_nsss/04sept2010_e_balbaljayoun_6.mp3] [audio:http://www.kukasikhs.com/kukasikhs/sound/2010/hzsbs_nsss/14sept2010_solak_wahwahtuaapay_5.mp3] [audio:http://www.kukasikhs.com/kukasikhs/sound/2010/hzsbs_nsss/04sept10_dhoorti_live.mp3] [audio:http://www.kukasikhs.com/kukasikhs/sound/2010/hzsbs_nsss/04sept10_closing_ugs_gps.mp3]

Sangeet program (5th Sept)
Ustaad Harbhajan Singh, Sant Balwant Singh, Sant Sukdev Singh & Sant Harpreet Singh sonu accompanied by Sukhwinder Singh 'pinky' (tabla) & Kuldip Singh.

Other Recordings in UK:

  • Hazoori Raagis - 01/08/10 - Shabad: Rakh Rakh Mere Bithula

 

  • Hazoori Raagis - Shabad: Bindraban mei rang keeya Kaana

 

 

 

16 to 18 Dec 2010: Raagi Ghulla Ji was accompanied by raagis Gurlal Singh, Ustad Surjit Singh & Satvinder Singh and Narinderpal Singh & Sarabjit Singh.

 

 

 


16 Dec 2010:

17 Dec 2010:

  • GEET: Guru Jagjit Singh ji

    [audio:http://www.kukasikhs.com/kukasikhs/sound/2010/dec/17dec10_hsg_geet_gurujagjitsinghji.mp3]

18 Dec 2010:

  • Saajan dhehi sis uthar
  • [audio:http://www.kukasikhs.com/kukasikhs/sound/2010/dec/18dec10_hsg_sajandeyisisuthar.mp3]
  • Kavita: Kaali Koyal
  • [audio:http://www.kukasikhs.com/kukasikhs/sound/2010/dec/18dec10_hsg_kalikoyal.mp3]
  • Geet: Jagjit guru tere dhar thay
    [audio:http://www.kukasikhs.com/kukasikhs/sound/2010/dec/18dec10_hsg_geet_jagjitguruteredhar.mp3]

23 Sept 2006: Harpreet Singh Namdhari Tabla player (Sri Bhaini Sahib)
His first ever live solo performance in the UK. Also known as Sonu, he mesmerized & dazzled a packed hall with his expertise and tabla skills.

  • TABLA SOLO
    [audio:http://www.kukasikhs.com/kukasikhs/sound/sonusolo.mp3]

 

 

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