Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj is blessed with a melodious voice which never fails to captivate the listener. Bhai Karnail Singh Ji learned Kirtan in the Vidhyala of Gurdwara Bala Sahib, New Delhi from Ustad Bhai Santa Singh Kanwal. At the same time he also received Gurbani Paath Santhya from Giani Harbhajan Singh Ji and Giani Hem Singh Ji. This Vidhyala was run by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. Besides being a fantastic vocalist, Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj was also a phenomenal tabla player. He accompanied Bhai Mangal Singh Ji on tabla for a few years before forming his own jatha with his brothers. He is an expert in many angs of Kirtan such as Gurmat Sangeet, Shastri Sangeet, Semi classical and light Kirtan as well. By spending many years with Bhai Mangal Singh Ji, he also came to learn many Puratan compositions of Bhai Santa Singh Ji. After forming his jatha, he traveled extensively and visited countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Canada and more before permanently settling in USA. The information above was narrated to me by Sahib Singh Bakshi. If anyone has more recordings or photos of Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj to share, please contact us.
The following Shabads are from a Raag Darbar held in conjunction with Ustad Bahadur Singh Ji’s Barsi in Ludhiana. These recordings were graciously contributed by Sardar Didar Singh Chana from Toronto. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save as’ to download the audio recordings. Enjoy!
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 Mohan Pran Maan Rangila (Hansdhwani)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 Sajan Maindai Naal (Darbari Kanra)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 03 Pir Dekhan Ki Aas (Pahari)
The following recordings are from his visit to Bangkok, Thailand in the 1970s. These were recorded and graciously contributed by Sardar Chattar Singh Duwa from Bangkok.
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 Laagi Preet Sujan Sio
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 Eh Piram Piyala Khasam ka
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 03 Kyo Na Aradho
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 04 Abchal Nagar Gobind Guru ka
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 05 Koi Boley Ram Ram
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 06 Deen Dunia Darr Kamandey
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 07 Shaan
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 08 Har Ji Mata
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 09 Mere Satgur Hi Patt Raakh
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 10 Jeevana Safal Jeevan
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 11 Suno Loka Mai Prem Rass
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 12 Mere Har Jeeo
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 13 Sabh Kahoh Mukho Rikh Kes Harey
The following recordings are from New York. These were recorded and contributed by Sardar Nachatar Singh Sahota Ji.
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Begumpura Shahar ko Nau
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Bolo Ram Kare Nistara
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Charan Chalo Marag Gobind (09-21-90)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Deen Duniya Teree Tek
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Eh Rasna Tu Anras Rach Rahii (09-21-90)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Es Man Kau Koi Khojaho Bhai (09-21-90)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Haun Balihari jo Prabhu Dhiavat
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Jivna Safal Jivan
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Kahe kau Dolat Hey (09-21-90)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Kiyon Na Aradho Mil Kar Sadho
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Kya Hans Kya Bagula (Raag Hansdhuni)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Main Banjaran Ram Ki (1)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Main Banjaran Ram Ki (2)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Main Bauri Mera Ram Bhatar
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Mere Lal Jio Tera Ant na Jana (09-21-90)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Mere Lalan Ki Shoba (Raag Kalyan)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Mokau Koi Na Janat Das Tumhara
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Pe Amrit Aghaniya Gur Amar Karayia
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Prabh Ji Tu Mere Pran Adhare
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Prabh Milbe Kou (Raag Purvi)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Rakh Rakh Mere Beethla Jan Saran Tuhari
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Sachi Preet Hum Tum Sion Jori
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Sajan Sacha Patshah Sir Shahn De Shah
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Sant Jana Mil Mangal Gayeo
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Sun Yaar Hamare Sajan Ik Karon Benantia
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Tera Jan Ram Naam
The following recordings are from his visit to Vancouver, Canada. I have uploaded these according to the volume numbers. If anyone has more of his recordings from Vancouver please contact us.
Vol.7
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 – Kya Jap Kya Tap
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 – Piare In Bidh Milan Na
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 03 – Vade Mere Sahiba
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 04 – Deen Duniya Dar Kamande
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 05 – Teri Oopma Tohe Ban Aye
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 06 – Satgur Kot Painda
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 07 – Sabhe Ji Samaal
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 08 – Aaj More Aye (Incomplete)
Vol.8
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 – Waheguru Tera Sabh Sadka
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 – Tera Jan Ram Naam
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 03 – Deen Duniya Dar Kamande
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 04 – Kirpa Karo Deen Ke Daate
The following recordings are from his tour to Singapore and these were recorded by late Sardar Amir Singh Ji. We have volume 1 to 5 of his Singapore visit. If anyone has any other volumes, please contact us.
Vol.1
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 – Mere Har Jio Sabh Ko Tere Vas
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 – Bolo Bhaiya Ram Naam
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 03 – Amrit Rasna Pio Pyari
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 04 – Naam Kehat Gobind Ka
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 05 – Anand Karo Prabh Ke Gun Gao
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 06 – Mere Satgur Hi Pat Raakh
Vol.2
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 – Jis Miliye Man Hoye Anand
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 – Kyon Chouton Kaisi
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 03 – Man Kyon Bairag
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 04 – Sunoh Loka Main Prem Ras
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 05 – Teri Pyaas Na Jayi
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 06 – Waho Waho Gursikh Nit
Vol.3
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 – Din Te Pehar Pehar Te Ghadian
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 – Uth Sidhaeyeo Shhutar Maati
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 03 – Baba Abh Na Baso
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 04 – Baba Bolte Te Kahan Gaye
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 05 – Jal Kahan Thal Kahan
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 06 – Deho Sajan Aseesarhian
Vol.4
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 – Amrit Vela Sach Nao
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 – Jaag Salonarhiye
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 03 – Babiha Amrit Vele Boleya
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 04 – Har Ke Loga Mo Kao
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 05 – Gursikh Meet Chalo
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 06 – Koi Bole Ram Ram
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 07 – Mera Vaid Guru Govinda
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 08 – Sabh Des Paraya
Vol.5
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 – Chalange Uth Naap Jap (Bhairo & Gunkali)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 – Deenan Ki Pritpal Kare (Gujri Todi)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 03 – Hik Bhori Na Vichor (Bhairavi)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 04 – Mohan Praan Maan Rangila (Kalyan)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 05 – Aaj More Aye Hai (Kalavati)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 06 – Lagi Preet Sujan Sion
The following Asa Ki Vaar recording was contributed by Sahib Singh Bakshi.
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Asa Ki Vaar
*New Recordings Added – 4th February 2021
The recordings below are from a program at Weston Road Gurdwara in Toronto, Canada in 1981. These were kindly contributed by Sardar Balkar Singh Dhesi.
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 Jivo Naam Suni
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 Ghar Mandar Hatnale Soi Jis Vich
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 03 Thaan Suhava Pavit Hai Jithai
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 04 Bhalo Smoorat Poora
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 05 Jeh Prsaad Baseh Sukh Mandar
*New Recordings Added – 17th June 2022
The recordings below were kindly contributed by the family of late Sardar Inderjit Singh Katari.
Asa Di Vaar recorded live in Montreal in 1987.
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Asa Di Vaar (Live in Montreal January 1987)
Cassette labelled as ‘Tape 181’.
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 Dhan Dhan Raamdaas Gur
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 Gur Nimakh Na Man Te
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 03 Sorath So Ras Bheejiai Kabhoo
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 04 Bhini Renardiye Chaamkan
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 05 Har Har Naam Nidhaan Hai
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 06 Maee Khaat Ayo Khar Poota
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 07 Gur Ke Charan Jie Ka Nistara
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 08 Mai Bouri Mera Raam Pataar
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 09 Koee Bole Raam Raam
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 10 Nas Vanjo Khilvikho Karta Khar
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 11 Sabh Kaho Mukho Rikhikhes Hare
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 12 Mitar Pyare Nu Haal Murida (Incomplete)
Cassette labelled as ‘Tape 540’.
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 Jaagat Jot Japai Nis Basur
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 Deenan Ki Pritpal Karai
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 03 Mere Lalan Ki Soba
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 04 Jog Bania Tera Kirtan Gaie
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 05 Deen Darad Dukh Bhanjna
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 06 Kaval Nain Madhurbain (Incomplete)
*New Recordings Added – 19th December 2025
The collection below was kindly contributed by Dr. Tejpal Singh & Bibi Parminder Kaur Dhillon. These were recorded at North Carolina, USA.
Tape 1 – Kirtan at Durham on 19th April 1991
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 Aaj More Aaye Hai
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 Bhee Amrit Aghaaniyaa
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 03 Hum Maeley Tum Oojal Karte
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 04 Guru Nanak Jin Paraseyo
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 05 Vichaar & Anand Sahib
Tape 2 – Kirtan at Durham on 20th April 1991
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 Shant Payi Gur Satgur Poore (Bilawal)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 Kar Ishnan Simar Prabh Apna
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 03 Mokao Koe Na Jaanat
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 04 Mai Khaat Aayo Ghar Poota
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 05 Mere Man Gur Gur Gur
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 06 Guru Ramdas Rakho Sarnaee
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 07 Jin Prem Kio Tin Hi Prabh Payo
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 08 Anand Sahib
Tape 3 – Kirtan at Durham on 21st April 1991
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 Ke Zaahar Zahoor Hai
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 Inhi Ki Kirpa Ke Saje Hum Hai
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 03 Pooran Jot Jage Ghat Meh
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 04 Jai Jai Jag Kaaran
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 05 Vichaar
Tape 4 – Asa Ki Vaar at Durham on 20th April 1991
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 Asa Ki Vaar on 20th April 1991
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 Ardas (Incomplete)
Tape 5 – Asa Ki Vaar at Durham on 21st April 1991
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 Asa Ki Vaar on 21st April 1991
Tape 6 – Kirtan at Durham on 9th November 1990
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 Mere Laalan Ki Sobha (Kalyan)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 Meethe Har Gun Gao Jindu Tu
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 03 Kyon Chhooton Kaise Taron
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 04 Har Guru Nanak Jin Parseyo
Tape 7 – Kirtan at Durham on 10th November 1990
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 Aaj More Aaye Hai (Darbari)
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 Pragat Bhayi Sagale Jug Antar
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 03 Sun Mun Nagri Bhayi
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 04 Gur Ke Charan Ji Ka Nistara
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 05 Har Guru Nanak Jin Parseyo
Tape 8 – Kirtan at Durham and Asheboro on 11th November 1990
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 Man Chao Bhaya Prabh Aagam Suneya
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 Miteya Andhera Chand Chareya
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 03 Sabh Jag Phir Main Dekheya
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 04 Jin Sireya Tine Savareya
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 05 Kirpa Karo Deen Ke Daate
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 06 Mohe Na Bisaro Main Jan Tera
Tape 9 – Asa Ki Vaar at Durham on 10th November 1990
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 Asa Ki Vaar on 10th November 1990
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 02 Param Guru Nanak Gun Gao (Desi Todi)
Tape 10 – Asa Ki Vaar at Durham on 11th November 1990
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – 01 Asa Ki Vaar on 11th November 1990
The Shabads below were recorded by Prof. Harcharan Singh from Texas. A special thanks to Sardar Nachatar Singh Sahota for helping to digitise these recordings.
Tape 1 – Kirtan on 31st August 1996
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Aad Gureh Nameh Jugad Gureh Nameh
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Har Gur Nanak Jin Paraseyo
Bhai Karnail Singh Dhiraj – Jog Banea Tera Kirtan Gayee (Jogkauns)