Based in Southall UK, Ustad Gurdev Singh was one leading players of Sarod and dilruba. He is a disciple of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and is well-known internationally through his performances in the USA, Canada, India and UK.
His Legacy: In India, Ustad Gurdev Singh played a pivotal role in organising Namdhari Sangeet Samellans in memory of Sri Satguru Partap Singh Ji. These musical gatherings featured renowned Indian classical musicians and were open to audiences free of charge. A significant highlight of his career was his performance alongside the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain, at the Satguru Partap Singh Ji Sangeet Samellan in Aurangabad in 1980. This tradition continues today, following the same format, in the annual musical concerts held at Sri Bhaini Sahib in memory of Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji.
Gurdev Singh was born on 15th January 1948 and brought up in a remote village in Harayana, North India. He began learning music at the age of seven under Ustad Tara Singh and Piara Singh who taught him Dilruba, a bowed instrument of great antiquity, which Gurdev still plays today with great brilliance. He is also trained in vocal music under Pandit Mahadeo Prasad in both contemporary and the traditional Dhrupad style.
In 1967 Gurdev became a disciple of the world famous Sarod Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan in Delhi and was introduced to the Sarod with the Holy patronage of H.H. Shri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji. The Sarod is an extremely demanding instrument to handle, partly because it is fretless. It is capable of an extraordinary range of sounds, from haunting sweetness to dazzling speed and power.
His success can be measured by his popularity in India, in both live and radio concerts, and by the increasing international demand for his performances, especially in the U.K. His U.K performances have included the BBC, Midland TV, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Bath and Oxford University, the 1984 Liverpool garden festival and South Bank. In North America he has played in Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle University and the prestigious Amir Khusro Society in Chicago. He has also visited Switzerland, Denmark, Darmstadt festival in Germany and other European countries. Every year he performs in major festivals held all over India.
Gurdev Singh has released a CD with ARC Music called “The Art Of Indian Sarod” of Germany adding to his other CDs and records collection.
Gurdev Singh was a close and constant companion of Ustad Harbhajan Singh Ji during Gurmat Gurbani Kirtan performances across the UK. He is well known and highly regarded among leading Indian classical artists. Through his efforts—especially the Sangeet Samellans organized in memory of Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji under the banner of Surnaad—he has introduced renowned musicians to audiences throughout the UK.
Link to Surnaad festival of August 2015.
Sarod performace by Ustad Gurdev Singh . He is accompanied by tabla mastereo Sukhvinder Singh Namdhari and Shri Illyas Khan on sarangi.
More at namdhari-world.com
More information is available Gurdev Singh’s Surnaad website.
Raag Desi Thodi – performed at Namdhari Center Southall
Gurdev Singh Live: Raag Darbari- Mudh Teen Taal & Drut
Gurdev Singh Live: Raag Bhairavi – Peeble Mill
Ustaad Gurdev singh plays Raag Miyan Ki Malhar on Tarshenai
Sarod & Sitar : Raga MALKAUNS -Pt. Viram Jasani on sitar and Pt .Gurudev Singh on sarod.
The sarod evolved from the rabab around the thirteenth century. Unlike the sitar, the sarod has no frets, and its fingerboard is made of smooth metal. The soundbox is covered with stretched skin. It typically has eight main playing strings and between eleven and sixteen sympathetic (resonating) strings. The instrument is played with a plectrum traditionally made from coconut shell.
The sarod is an extremely demanding instrument to play, partly because it is fretless. It is capable of an extraordinary range of expression, from haunting sweetness to dazzling speed and power.