Throughout history, Sikhs have been known around the world for their bravery and willingness to sacrifice their lives for justice. Not many can lay claim to the honourable titles of both Raagi and Shaheed, but such is the story of Bhai Amrik Singh Ji.
Bhai Amrik Singh was born to Mata Chint Kaur Ji in 1934, into the home of Sardar Asa Singh Ji in the village of Mundhon Sangtian, near Kurali in undivided Punjab. He was blind since birth, and as a result, was unable to attend school. There weren’t many facilities available then, that catered to children with special needs as what we have now. Bhai Amrik Singh Ji was the second of six siblings, and he was fondly known as ‘Jethu’ in the village. His elder brother, Charan Singh and younger brother, Lekh Singh did laborious jobs in the village to earn a living. Two of his younger brothers enlisted in the army. Among these two, the youngest, Ajit Singh lives in Model Town, Kurali now. Another brother of theirs, Sarban Singh also lives in Kurali.
Young ‘Jethu’ used to wander around the streets of his village while carrying a tune. Sometimes, he would play a beat on an empty box while singing. One day, the uncle of Principal Teja Singh, the school principal, was passing by and heard ‘Jethu’ singing away. He was impressed with this young boy’s talent, and made arrangements to send young ‘Jethu’ who was aged 7 at that time, to the village of Manpur (Khant), Morinda to learn Kirtan. Prior to the division of Punjab, there were two renowned Kirtan Vidhyalas (academies). The larger of the two was based at Chamkaur Sahib, which was overseen by Raagi Bhai Sampuran Singh Ji. The second Vidhyala was located in Manpur, and was under the care of Bhai Jaswant Singh Ji from Kaleran. Interestingly, this Vidhyala was an offshoot of the Vidhyala in Chamkaur Sahib and it was started by the graduates from Chamkaur Sahib. Bhai Amrik Singh Ji stayed at Manpur and learned Kirtan from Bhai Jaswant Singh Ji. He was taught to play the harmonium, dilruba, violin and tanpura. Bhai Jaswant Singh Ji shared his vast knowledge of Raags and techniques of playing various stringed instruments. Bhai Amrik Singh also took classes on Gurbani Santhya and Rehat Maryada from Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Ji, a very learned individual, who also taught him the art of delivering Katha (discourse). While India gained independence in 1947, this brought about many changes and uncertainties to the people of Punjab. Sadly, both Vidhyalas fell victim to the partition, and were shut down permanently.
Following the partition, Bhai Amrik Singh Ji went to Gurdwara Sri Hargobindgarh in Kurali. At this point in time, there were only two Raagi jathas in that area and their duties were split between them. Bhai Amrik Singh Ji used to attend various ‘Jod Melas’ and performed Anand Karaj ceremonies as well. The other jatha was that of Bhai Sarup Singh Safri. Next, Bhai Amrik Singh Ji went to Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib, Patiala and served as Hazoori Raagi for five years. Subsequently, he moved to Takhat Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib for a short period of time, before moving back to Patiala. His last shift was to Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, where he would perform Kirtan duties regularly until his last breath.
An interesting incident occurred during his election as Hazoori Raagi at Sri Harmandir Sahib. The Kirtan sub-committee conducting his interview had requested him to sing Raag Gauri. He went silent for a while, as if awaiting further instruction. The committee members, thinking that they knew better, tried breaking the silence by commenting that there were six other candidates waiting to be selected. Bhai Amrik Singh humbly folded his hands and asked “Which variant of Gauri would you like me to sing?” Not having the knowledge to answer that, the committee members tried to cover their embarrassment with laughter, and hired him without even listening to Raag Gauri.
Bhai Amrik Singh was well versed in singing compositions in difficult Raags and Taals. He was accompanied on the side harmonium for many years by Sardar Harcharan Singh Darvesh. He had a few companions on tabla such as Bhai Ram Singh (Ropar) and Bhai Gurnam Singh Sohana, but the person who accompanied him the longest was renowned tabla master, Bhai Mukand Singh, father of Ustad Harjit Singh Bittu.
Bhai Amrik Singh Ji did not get married and had no children of his own. According to an article written by Sarbpreet Singh Ji, he had adopted a son, Bhai Harcharan Singh. Bhai Amrik Singh Ji attained Shaheedi (martyrdom) on the morning of 6th June 1984 (4th June according to the article by Sarbpreet Singh Ji). On that fateful morning, amidst the hail of bullets, Bhai Amrik Singh performed Asa Ki Vaar as he always did. As he exited the Darbar after the early morning Ardas, he was shot at the Parkarma in front of the Darshani Deori. His brother, Ajit Singh Ji said that none of their family members know what happened to Bhai Amrik Singh Ji’s body following his death. They were not able to travel to Amritsar due to the curfew forced upon Punjab, and have no idea where he was cremated, if at all.
Following this tragedy, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) handed his provident fund to his mother, but nothing else was given to date. His former tabla player, Gurnam Singh Sohana had initiated a memorial society to organise annual Kirtan Darbars to honour his memory and sacrifice. He had also planned to open a Vidhyala in Bhai Amrik Singh Ji’s name. However, he did not receive much support from anyone and eventually, the society broke up. By that time, he had only managed to collect Rs.41,000, which he donated to Gurdwara Sri Hargobindgarh Sahib, with the hopes that it can be utilised to open a Kirtan Vidhyala. Sadly, 25 years have passed without any progress. On a positive note, SGPC installed Bhai Amrik Singh Ji’s portrait in the Central Sikh Museum in Amritsar. His dilruba and violin are on display at the museum in Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib.
The information above was obtained from ‘Gurmat Sangeet De Anmol Rattan’ written by the late Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa. If anyone has a photo or more recordings of Bhai Amrik Singh Ji, please contact us.
The following recordings were made and kindly contributed by Sardar Manjit Singh Aujla (UK). These were recorded during his visit to Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar in 1976. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save link as’ to download audio files. Enjoy!
Bhai Amrik Singh (Hazoori Raagi Amritsar) – 01 Asa Ki Vaar at Darbar Sahib in 1976
Bhai Amrik Singh (Hazoori Raagi Amritsar) – 02 Bhaya Anand Jagat Vich (Incomplete)
WJKK WJKF..thankyou for sharing recordings of bhai Amrik singh ji.I listen this asa di vaar everyday and every time I get inspired by his voice his style of reciting, coordination of reciting with jatha. In the asa di vaar he sung the shabads with different way and all are puratan reets. The alaaps during singing take my surti right to darbar sahib as I am listening this kirtan live. Please add separate recordings of all those shabads which sung in the asa di vaar. Also upload more shabads of bhai Amrik Singh. Also please share information about all three tabla players , bhai Ram singh , bhai Mukand Singh, bhai Gurnam Singh mentioned in the information.
Also upload information and recordings of side ragi bhai Harcharan Singh Darvesh…I notice that both side ragi and tabla player have full knowledge of raag, taal and coordination. All the bhai sahib’s voices are melodious and powerful at the same time, which is very rear. Their collective singing / reciting take your surti up. I can hear the beets and taals very clearly in this recording of asa di vaar. Very rear gems these guys are , but unfortunately we loose them. Legendary kirtani jatha..