Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand

 

 

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand was part of a distinguished lineage of Rababi musicians. One of three sons, Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand along with his brothers Bhai Sham and Bhai Bakshi, was trained in the tradition of Shabad kirtan by their father, Bhai Sunder Giani and uncle, Bhai Chand Senior. Bhai Chand Senior was among the last Rababis to perform at the Sri Harmandar Sahib, Amritsar before the division of Punjab in 1947. He passed away just two years later, in 1949.

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand traced his musical and spiritual lineage to Bhai Sadha and Bhai Madha, legendary Rababis who sang during the lifetimes of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Born in Raja Sansi, near Amritsar, Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand spent his formative years performing across various gurdwaras throughout Punjab including Chheharta Sahib, Lahore.

Following the 1947 Partition, Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand and his family settled in Lahore, Pakistan, where they lived in relative obscurity for decades. Despite the challenges, he continued to perform and teach, passing on the Rababi tradition to students across Pakistan. He maintained a deep connection to his roots, preserving the memory and practice of the sacred music passed down through generations.

In a 2009 interview, Bhai Chand reflected on the shifting cultural landscape:

“I remember my paternal uncle and father telling of those (golden) days when we had the security of getting work and receiving audiences and sponsors who wanted to hear us sing in the old style. No one asked if you were singing in the correct raag. People enjoyed listening to us, knowing we were descendants of an old tradition which wasn’t someone else’s tradition, but their own as well as ours.”
— Interview, Lahore, February 2009

This statement evokes a time when identity and tradition were shared experiences rather than divided by religious boundaries.

During a visit to India in 2005, Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand was invited to perform at various cultural institutions, including Punjabi University, Patiala. However, his request to perform at the Golden Temple was denied by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on the grounds that he was not a baptized Sikh. This deeply affected him. In a 2008 interview, he lamented:

“Who bothered to ask whether we were Gursikh (baptized, practicing Sikhs) in those days? Were my ancestors Gursikhs? Did they wear the dastaar (turban) and show the signs of being a Sikh? No. But that never stopped them from having a passion for their music and their work. Those people [SGPC] have a short vision.”
— Interview, Lahore, November 2008

His words offer a critique of the narrowing definitions of religious identity that have led to the exclusion of non-Sikh Rababis from Sikh Gurdawaras.

In 2005, Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand’s performance at Punjabi University in Patiala stirred emotional reactions from audiences, many of whom saw in him a living link to a shared past. His historic 2011 visit to the UK included powerful performances that resonated with listeners eager to reconnect with this nearly forgotten tradition.

During this period, Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand received several honours, including:

• Bhai Mardana Award from Punjabi University, Patiala (2005)
• Golden Temple Life Achievement Award in the UK (2011)

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand passed away in 29th April 2015 at the Mayo Hospital in  Lahore, Pakistan. He was laid to rest at Mian Munshi Graveyard in Bilal Ganj area. He is survived by one daughter and two sons. His sons,  Bhai Naeem  and Bhai Moeen, are the torchbearers of the legacy and would try to keep the tradition intact. 

 

The following recordings were obtained from the ‘Kirtan Reeti Riwaaz’ channel on YouTube. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save link as’ to download audio files. Enjoy!

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – Hamari Pyari Amrit Dhari (Bhairvi)

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – Jachak Mangeh Daan Dehe Pyareaa

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – Sajan Maida Chahiya (Asavari – Dhamar)

 

The recordings below were obtained from the Sant Sipahi page on SoundCloud, which is currently inactive.

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – 01 Jal Thal Mahiyal Pooreya (Dhrupad)

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – 02 Saadhho Man Kaa Maan Thiaago

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – 03 Har Ka Bilovana Bilovahu Merae Bhaee

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – 04 Mitar Piare Nu Haal Mureedhan Da Kehna

 

The recording below was obtained from an online source.

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – Mohan Ghar Avoh

 

The Shabads below were obtained from the album ‘Satgur Nanak Pargatiya’.

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – 01 Maei Gur Chrni Chet Laeiah

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – 02 Tera Kita Jato Nahi

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – 03 Mitar Piyare Nu Haal Muridaa da Kehna

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – 04 Jachak Mangeh Dan Deh Piaariaa

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – 05 Avale Allah Nuur Upayeaa

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – 06 Sakhi Priaa Sang Sukh Bihat

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – 07 Bhinni Rennerdhiye Chamkan Tare

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – 08 Aavoh Sajna Haoon Dekha Darshan Teraa Ram

 

Recordings during a live Kirtan program obtained online. 

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – 01 Vichaar

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – 02 Aval Allah Noor Upaaya

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – 03 Bhinni Rainarhiye Chamkan Taare

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – 04 Har Ka Bilovana Bilovo Mere Bhai

Bhai Ghulam Mohammad Chand – 05 Mitar Piare Nu Haal Mureeda Da Kehna