Under the guidance and great endeavors of Sri Satguru Pratap Singh Ji the Namdhari school of music in BHAINI SAHIB opened in 1928.
This was initiated by Sir Satguru Ram Singh Ji and the main aim for the establishment of this music school was to preserve and maintain the centuries old traditional compositions, melodies, rhythms and vocal and instrumental renderings in their original form.
In recent times students from various countries have been send by Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji to music maestro’s in various fields of music (SITAR, VOCAL, SAROD, SARANGI, SANTOOR, TABLA, CLASSICAL DANCE, PAKHAWAJ, SHEHNAI, TAR SHEHNAI, and VEENA) and these disciples have gained world wide recognition. With their dedication and Satguru Ji’s blessing these young performers have attained very high standards of excellence in their respective fields. Namdhari musicians have been tutored by world renowned classical musicians such as Ustad Vilayat Khan, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Shanta Prasad, Pandit Krishan Maharaj, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and Pandit Hari Prasad Churasia.
The school owes its unique status to the dedication to Ustads (Teachers) Harnam Singh, Udho Khan And Rahim Bakhsh under whom Sat Guru Jagjit Singh Ji and Maharaj Bir Singh Ji were among the first students of these three Ustads
In 1959, in memory of Siri Sat Guru Pratap Singh Ji, Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji initiated the annual Festivals of classical music (sangeet sammelams). These All India music festivals are free to all citizens, therby bringing classical music within the reach of the ordinary public. Similar sangeet sammelans now take place outside India too.
Outside of India, The UK boosts the highest number of Namdhari musicians. Namdhari Sangat Southall is privileged to have three ustads trained by Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji. (Ustad Gurdev Singh (sarod), Ustad Kiranpal Singh (santoor) and Ustad Surjeet Singh (Sarangi) ). These Ustads have tutored and trained large number of pupils based in the UK. The UK also has the expertise of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Award winner Ustad Harbhajan Singn Ji (based in Leeds) in promoting gurmat sangeet to the masses.
Along with these Ustads, Southall has a well established base of musicians and Raagis who perform regularly at our Center.