Bhai Darshan Singh Ji Kamal was born on the 14th of August, 1934 to Mata Hukam Kaur Ji and Sardar Phuman Singh Ji. They belonged to the village of Naroor Panshta in Phagwara, Punjab. Kamal Ji grew up in this village with 3 brothers and 3 sisters. When he was very young, he came down with chicken pox and this affected his eyes. As the hospital was far from their home, his parents tried some home remedies but unfortunately, he lost his eyesight at the age of 4.
He was sent to learn Kirtan from his namesake, Prof. Darshan Singh Komal of Nangal Khurd, Hoshiarpur. Prof. Darshan Singh Komal was custodian to the knowledge and tradition of Kirtan that was passed down to him by his teacher, the renowned Rababi of Amritsar, Bhai Sain Ditta Ji. Prof. Darshan Singh Komal trained thousands of Kirtanis throughout his years of teaching. Some of his notable students include Bhai Dharam Singh and Bhai Shamsher Singh Zakhmi, Bhai Didar Singh, Bhai Beant Singh Bijli, Bhai Sital Singh Sitara, Bhai Gian Singh Surjit and many others. Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal spent between 5 to 7 years learning from Komal Ji and at the end of his training, Prof. Darshan Singh Komal gifted him with the title ‘Kamal’ to be used at the end of his name. Komal Ji recommended him to go to Putli Ghar, Amritsar and during his time there, he was in the company of Bhai Gopal Singh Ji.
He encountered many challenges due to being visually impaired. He used to carry his harmonium and travel on his own from one village to another for Kirtan programs. It was difficult for him, so he came to Delhi in 1957 and completed his masters degree in music. During his final examination, he played the violin and aced his test. He began his career as a high school music teacher in Delhi. In 1971, he came under the employment of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and served as a Hazoori Raagi in Gurdwara Sees Ganj Sahib for 20 years.
He made his first tour abroad to Tehran, Iran. His next tour was to the United Kingdom in 1974 followed by various other tours around the world including Singapore, Kuwait, America, Canada and Mexico. The late Harbhajan Singh Yogi Ji was very impressed with his Kirtan and invited him for Kirtan many times. He also helped to get Kamal Ji’s family settled in the United States. His long time ‘saathi’ for 20 years on tabla was Bhai Mastan Singh Ji. Some of his other ‘saathis’ on the side harmonium include Bhai Pritam Singh Ji and Bhai Nirmal Singh Ji. Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal passed away peacefully on 23rd March 2020. The information above was obtained from Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal’s son. If anyone has more recordings of Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal to share, please contact us.
The recordings below were kindly contributed by Sardar Nachatar Singh Sahota. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save link as’ to download audio files. Enjoy!
Asa Ki Vaar on 10th of May 1987
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Asa Ki Vaar – 1A (May-10-1987)
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Asa Ki Vaar – 1B (May-10-1987)
Kirtan Darbar on 31st December 1989
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – 01 Gareeb Niwaj Na Doosar To So
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – 02 Guru Guru Gur Kar Man Mor
Kirtan recorded in New York, USA in 1982
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – 01 Tabla Solo
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – 02 Ram Simar Ihe Tere
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – 03 Re Man Ram Siyo
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – 04 Har Ke Naam Bina
Kirtan on 4th October 1987
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Aeise Gur Ko Bal Bal Jayea
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Gobinde Mukande
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Sunho Benanti Thakur Mere (Raag Dhani)
The following Asa Ki Vaar was recorded at Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Southall in conjunction with the Shaheedi Gurpurab of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The first half of the Asa Ki Vaar was performed by Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal and jatha, while the second half was performed by Bhai Avtar Singh (Delhi) and jatha.
01 – Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Asa Ki Vaar Part 1
02 – Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Asa Ki Vaar Part 2
03 – Bhai Avtar Singh (Delhi) – Asa Ki Vaar Part 3
04 – Bhai Avtar Singh (Delhi) – Asa Ki Vaar Part 4
Kirtan from various other programs.
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Asavanti Aas Gusayen Puria
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Bal Bal Jao Ramyea Karne
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Greeb Nivaz Na Dooser Tou So
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Haun Kurbaney Jao (Raag Sarang)
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Nanak Amrit Naam Sada Sukhadta
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Shubh Karman Te Kabhu No Taron
The following recordings were kindly contributed by Bhai Harbans Singh Suraj.
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – 01 Prabh Dori Haath
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – 02 Tu Sajan Tu Pritam
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – 03 Inhee Ki Kirpa Ke
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – 04 Tudh Bin Duja Nahi
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – 05 Sur Ho Ke Jaisi Teri Chaal
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – 06 Har Ka Naam Dhyaye Ke
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – 07 Ja Ka Meet (Incomplete)
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – 08 Piare In Bidh Milan
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – 09 Deen Dayal (Incomplete)
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – 10 Tu Sabhni Thayi (Incomplete)
The next batch of recordings were downloaded from the ‘SikhNet’ website. These were labeled under the name, Master Darshan Singh.
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Aad Gure Nameh 1
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Aad Gure Nameh 2
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Aavan Jaana
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Anand Sahib
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Apanaa Birad Samaray
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Asa Di Vaar – Part 1
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Asa Di Vaar – Part 2
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Asa Di Vaar 1-1
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Asa Di Vaar 1-2
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Asa Di Vaar 2-1
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Asa Di Vaar 2-2
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Aye Mil Gur Sikh Aye Mil
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Bhav Khandanaa Teri Aarti
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Bolo Mere Bhai
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Bolo Sach Naam Kartar
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Charan Chalo
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Dhan Dhan Ram Das Guru
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Dhan So Vela Jit Darshan Karna
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Eh Lok Sukheay
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Gobinday Mukhanday 1
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Gobinday Mukhanday 2
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Gobinday Mukhanday 3
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Gur Pooray Meri Rakh Layee
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Gur Sundar Mohan Pahe
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Gurmukh Janaa Savaree
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Guru Mere Sang Sada Hai Naale
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Guru Puraa Jin Simarey
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Guru Ram Das Rakhoo Sarnahee
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Har Chotharee Laav Man
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Har Doojaree Laav Sat Guru
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Har Joo Raakh Leho Pat Meri
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Har Pehalaree Laav
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Har Prabh Kaaj Rachaiya
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Har Tejaree Laav Man
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Jaagna Jaagan Neeka 1
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Jaagna Jaagan Neeka 2
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Jo Kirpa Gobind Payee
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Jodee Jevay
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Keeta Lodiye Kam So Har Pai
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Koi Bole Ram Ram
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Mera Man Lochey
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Mera Preetam Piaraa
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Mere Madho Ji Satsangat
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Narayan Naam Niranjan
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Pita Mero Bado Dhani
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Poori Aasa Ji
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Prabhaa Keejay Kirpa Nidhaan
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Rahnee Rahai Soi Sikh Mera
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Ram Ram Bol Bol
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Ramdas Guru Har Sat Kiyo
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Ramdas Guru Jag Taaran Ko
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Re Man Aiso Kar Saniyaasa
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Sagal Shrisht Ko Raja Dukhiya
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Santo Ram Das Sarovar Neeka
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Satgur Apaney Sunee Ardas
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Satgur Tumre Kaaj Savarey
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Satnam Waheguru Ji
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Sun Sakhiye Meri Neend Bhalee
Bhai Darshan Singh Kamal – Tao Palley Tainde Lagee
🙏🏼ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਭਾਈ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਸਦੀਵੀ ਅਪਣੇ ਚਰਨਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਿਵਾਸ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ਣ ਅਤੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀਆ ਪੰਥ ਪ੍ਰਤੀ ਨਿਭਾਈਆਂ ਹੋਈਆ ਸੇਵਾਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੋਟਿ ਕੋਟਿ ਪ੍ਰਣਾਮ ।।
ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਸਾਰਿਆ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਉਸੇ ਮਾਰਗ ਤੇ ਚੱਲਣ ਦੀ ਸੁਮੱਤ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ਣ ਜੀ May Vahiguru Ji give eternal abode to Bhai Sahib Ji at His feet and best regards to the services rendered to his Panth.
May God bless us all to follow the same path🙏🏼
Waheguru ji ka khalsa Waheguru ji ki fateh. Sir ji you have done a great job by collecting kirtan recording of Puratan Ragies specially Master Darshan Singh ‘Kamal’. I am his student from Delhi. GURU aap ji nu chardi kla vich rakhey.