I remember the first time I heard the voice of Bhai Gurcharan Singh Ji Rasila. I had received an old cassette many years ago with his name handwritten on the label. When I played it, this euphonious voice with such ‘Bairaag’ reached my ears. It was so fitting for the Shabad being sung, ‘Visar Nahi Prabh Deen Dayala’. Such emotion in his voice, that it penetrates the soul and leaves the listener in a state of longing as well.
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila was born in the city of Hastinapur, Uttar Pradesh into the home of Prof. Milap Singh Ji and Mata Vishan Kaur Ji. His father was a renowned classical artist, having studied under the guidance of twelve Ustads. Among them was Ustad Ashiq Ali Khan of Patiala Gharana. Prof. Milap Singh Ji was known to be able to perform a special type of taan known as the ‘Jabre Ki Taan’ and he also received a gold medal from the former Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru after performing Sriraag. Having being brought up in such a household, Rasila Ji was inclined towards music from a young age and received his musical training from his father. For many years, both father and son served as Hazoori Raagis in the historical Gurdwaras of Delhi such as Gurdwara Bangla Sahib and Gurdwara Sees Ganj Sahib. Rasila Ji also traveled abroad extensively to perform Kirtan. He visited Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Iran, Japan, Dubai, Africa and more.
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Ji Rasila passed away at the Gurdwara Sahib in Vishnu Puri Colony, Indore on 8th November 1990. His three sons have continued the tradition and are also performing Kirtan in Gurdwara Sees Ganj Sahib and Gurdwara Bangla Sahib just as their father and grandfather before them. The jatha of Bhai Surjit Singh Rasila is very popular these days and it is good to see them following in his footsteps while carving their own path.
Rasila Ji’s younger brothers, Bhai Nanak Singh Preet and Bhai Hartirath Singh Preet also continue to perform Kirtan and uphold the family legacy. Rasila Ji was also the cousin of late Bhai Charanjit Singh Thawar. If anyone has more recordings of Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila, please contact us.
The first batch of recordings below are from Rasila Ji’s visit to Singapore. These were recorded by late Sardar Amir Singh Ji. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save link as’ to download audio files. Enjoy!
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Aage Sukh Mere Meeta (Incomplete)
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Aisi Kirpa Mohe Karo
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Aokhi Ghadi Na Dekhan Deyi
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Chetna Hai To Chet Lai
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Daate Daat Rakhi
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Doe Kar Jorh Kari Benanti
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Gur Jaisa Nahi Ko Dev
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Gur Ka Bachan Basey
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Gur Parmeswar Eko Jaan
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Har Bisrat Sada Khuari (Incomplete)
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Har Jiyo Sada Teri Sarnai (Incomplete)
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Har Ke Naam Bin
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Houn Vanjha Kurban
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – In Panchan Mero Man
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Jo Jan Le Khasam Ka Nao
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Jo Jo Deese So So Rogi
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Kahet Kabir Suno Re Santoh
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Kar Kirpa Pooran Sukhdata
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Kirpa Nidh Baso
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Koudi Badle Dhiagey Rattan
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Lakh Khushiyan Patshaiyan
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Main Nahi Prabh Sabh Kich Tera
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Man Mere Jin Apna
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Man Re Kaun Kumat Tain Lini
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Nakhti Ko Dhan Dhan Dhan Dhan
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Ramdas Sarovar Naate
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Se Sanjog Karo Mere Piare
The next batch of recordings was contributed by Bhai Harbans Singh Suraj, who was also a good friend of Rasila Ji.
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Aise Gur Ko Bal Bal Jaiye
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Charan Chalo Marag Gobind (Incomplete)
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Har Ki Gat Neh Kou Jaane Part 1
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Har Ki Gat Neh Kou Jaane Part 2
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Hau Reh Na Sakaa
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Je Chit Ave So Thaan Suhava
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Kahat Kabir Sunho Re Santoh
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Kirtan Hoa Rain Savayee
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Maan Karo Tudh Oopre
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Main Naahi Kich Hou Naahi Part 1
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Main Naahi Kich Hou Naahi Part 2
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Mere Man Jap Gur Gopal
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Piri Milaava Jo Theeye
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Satgur Mera Sada Dayala
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Se Sanjog Karo Mere Piare
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Tu Chou Sajan Mendeya
The following Shabads are from an LP recorded in 1978 (SEAL 1001).
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – 01 – Rehni Rahe Soi Sikh Mera
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – 02 – Aisa Koi Daas Hoye
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – 03 – Jal Te Thal Kar
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – 04 – Tu Meri Sobha
The following Shabads are from the album ‘Vaddi Teri Vadiyaee’.
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Jagat Jalandha Rakh Le
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Mera Bharam Gaya
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Namashkar Ta Ko Lakh Baar
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – Vaddi Teri Vadiyaee
*New Recordings Added – 7th June 2021
The following Shabads are from the album ‘Ik Ghari Dinas Moko’.
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – 01 Man Na Rahe Kaise Milo Piare
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – 02 Gurmukh Gaadi Raho Chalanda
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – 03 Mai Mohe Preetam Deho
Bhai Gurcharan Singh Rasila – 04 Naam Bina Dukh Paave
Waheguruji agge bachaiyan ton v edan hi sewa lainde rahen.