Ustaad Harbhajan Singh Ji

Ustad Harbhajan Singh is one of the most important exponents of Gurbani Kirtan Parampara and the senior most among the Namdhari community. His mentor ship under the likes of Ustad Tara Singh, Maharaj Bir Singh Namdhari and Pandit Mahadev Prasad makes him one of the last remaining links to Punjabs musical heritage. He has collected a very eclectic musical repertoire that consists of rare Gurbani kirtan and dhrupad-dhamar compositions and hence makes his contribution to Gurbani kirtan, phenomenal. He stands tall among his contemporaries as unlike other exponents, he alone has taught many famous gurbani kirtaniye including Hazoori Raagis  Baljit Singh, Mohan Singh , Sukhdev Singh, Harbans Singh Ghulla, Balwant Singh and many others.

Recognising his exceptional talent, Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh ji undertook training him in Gurbani sangeet. His talent was nurtured by prominent gurus and Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. He has inspired Gurbani aspirants, taught kirtan, classical music and performed in Thailand, Kenya, Canada, the US and the UK. As the prominent exponents of Gurbani Kirtan culture and the senior most among the Namdhari community, he stands tall among his contemporaries.

Born in 1945 in Kujjar village in Sheikhupura district of western Punjab, (now  in Pakistan),  Shri Harbhajan Singh received his initial training in Gurbani music from Shri Tara Singh who also taught him to play the Dilruba. His talent for singing was nurtured by several noted teachers including Shri Hazur Singh Chandrahans, Mahadev Prasad Kathak, and Maharaj Bir Singh. Later, he received guidance in Hindustani instrumental music from Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.

Among the foremost singers of Gurbani Kirtan, Shri Harbhajan Singh has channelled his knowledge of classical music into rendering the traditional form. His repertoire of compositions of this devotional music of the Sikhs consists of rare Kirtans and a variety of Dhrupad and Dhamar compositions. Alongside his practical music, he has pursued a career in teaching music, and has trained  numerous students. Almost all namdhari musicians have had his influence in their upbringing. He has tutored his art in many parts of India,UK, USA, Canada and has also performed in world over.

Ustaad Harbhajan Singh received India’s prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2010) for his contribution to the Gurbani music of Punjab.

In 2014, USTAD AMJAD ALI KHAN, & Ustad Harbhajan Singh recorded the CD ‘GURBANI‘ — Songs of Divine Wisdom.

Ghatt na kouu jaanaa

 

Shabad:

Naam maha raas peeyoo

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