Bhai Gopal Singh was born in Nangal Kotli, Gurdaspur, in 1929 (though some sources indicate his birth was in 1927) to Sardar Kartar Singh and Mata Jaswant Kaur. At the age of four, he lost his eyesight due to a medical mishap caused by a compounder administering the wrong medicine into his eyes. To support his education, his father arranged for him to learn Braille.
Bhai Gopal Singh’s father had a contracting business in Assam, and owned numerous properties in Gurdaspur. Unfortunately, the family faced tragedy when his parents were killed in riots prior to the partition in 1947. Following the loss of his parents, he was sent to the Central Khalsa Orphanage in Amritsar to study Gurbani and Kirtan. He was tutored on the Shabads from Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Dasam Bani, Vaaran of Bhai Gurdas Ji, and the Ghazals of Bhai Nand Lal Goya. He also trained in vocal music, harmonium, violin, tabla, and other instruments under the guidance of his Ustads, Bhai Lal Singh and Bhai Natha Singh.
Between 1953 and 1957, Bhai Dilbir Singh and Bhai Dildar Singh learned Kirtan from Bhai Gopal Singh. They later formed a jatha and accompanied him in Kirtan. From 1957 to 1970, they served as Hazoori Raagis at Gurdwara Sees Ganj Sahib in Delhi. A member of the Sangat, Sardar Mehar Singh Chadha, was so moved by Bhai Gopal Singh’s Kirtan that he advocated for his appointment as Hazoori Raagi at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar. Bhai Gopal Singh’s jatha was initially hired for one year but came under permanent employment due to their immense popularity, drawing large crowds.
Bhai Gopal Singh served in Amritsar from 1971 until 1973, when he passed away after suffering a heart attack on April 5, 1973, while visiting relatives in Delhi. He was on his way back after performing Kirtan at the annual Samagam organized by Giani Sant Singh Maskeen in Alwar, Rajasthan. His body was returned to Amritsar for cremation, and thousands from the Sangat attended his funeral.
The information above was obtained from several issues of the Amrit Kirtan magazine.
The recordings below were digitised from spools kindly contributed by Sardar Harpreet Singh Sandhu and family El Sobrante. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save link as’ to download audio files. Enjoy!
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Gur Dukh Kaateya Dino Daan (Gunkali)
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Har Har Naam Main Har Man Bhaeaa
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Vad Sukh Renarheeyai
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Aehrakh Vaad Na Keejai Re Man
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Mera Maat Pita Har Raaeaa
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Main Banjaran Ram Ki
Bhai Gopal Singh – 07 Prabh Tum Te Lehna Tu Mera Gehna
Bhai Gopal Singh – 08 Saajna Sant Aao Mere
Bhai Gopal Singh – 09 Gur Sikhi Di Eh Nishaani
Bhai Gopal Singh – 10 Bhagtan Ki Tek Tu
Bhai Gopal Singh – 11 Charan Kamal Gur Ke Japat (Incomplete)
Bhai Gopal Singh – 12 Jhoote Maan Kahan Kare
Bhai Gopal Singh – 13 Ghale Aave Nanaka Sade Uthi Jae
Bhai Gopal Singh – 14 Mere Jiarheyaa Pardesiyaa
Bhai Gopal Singh – 15 Jagat Meh Jhooti Dekhi Preet
Bhai Gopal Singh – 16 Sadho Gobind Ke Gun Gaavo
Bhai Gopal Singh – 17 Man Bairaag Bhayaa
Bhai Gopal Singh – 18 Apne Satgur Ke Balhaare
Bhai Gopal Singh – 19 Aao Jee Tu Aao Hamare
The Asa Di Vaar below was obtained from late Sardar Amir Singh Ji from Singapore.
Bhai Gopal Singh – Asa Di Vaar Part 1
Bhai Gopal Singh – Asa Di Vaar Part 2
The Asa Di Vaar below was recorded on 17th September 1968.
Bhai Gopal Singh – Asa Di Vaar on 17.9.1968
Rehras Sahib Paath recited by Bhai Gopal Singh Ji at the home of late Sardar Sangat Singh Ji, Malaysia.
Bhai Gopal Singh – Rehras Sahib
The following volumes of Shabads were recorded live in Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar by Sardar Jagjit Singh Chadha of Mumbai, India, during the family’s year long Kirtan Sewa between 1972-1973, with Kirtan performed by Bhai Gopal Singh Ji everyday in the mornings and evenings. These recordings were kindly contributed by his son, Sardar Baljit Singh Chadha of Montreal, Canada.
Vol. 1
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Dhithay Sabhay Thaav
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Vin Bolia Sabh Kich Jaanda
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Bigan Na Kou Laagta
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Raamdaas Guru Har Sat Keeo
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Dhan Dhan Ramdas Gur Jin Siria
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Ja Tu Merai Val Hai
Bhai Gopal Singh – 07 Sabh Sukh Data Raam Hai
Bhai Gopal Singh – 08 Har Charan Kamal Ki Tek
Vol. 2
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Hukamnama (Aagai Sukh Meray Meeta)
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Bal Bal Jaee Sant Pyaray
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Vaday Meray Sahiba
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Nirgunaaray Gun Nahi Koee
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Kirpa Karo Deen Ke Daate
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Baarnai Balhaarnai Lakh Bareea
Bhai Gopal Singh – 07 Houn Poot Tera Tu Baap
Bhai Gopal Singh – 08 Sagal Ish Meri Punia
Vol. 3
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Laahe Bidaani Aas
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Bisar Gaee Sabh Taat Paraaee
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Deen Dunia Teri Tek
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Bhagta Ki Tek Tu
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Raakh Pita Prabh Meray
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Jogi Andar Jogia
Bhai Gopal Singh – 07 Eh Man Har Ji Dhiayay
Vol. 4
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Eh Man Har Ji Dhiayay
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Avo Sikh Satguru Kay
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Mera Man Laaga Hai
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Meray Man Gur Gur Gur
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Darshan Pekhat Mai Jeeo
Vol. 5A
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Asa Ki Vaar
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Meghai No Phurmaan Hoa
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Asa Ki Vaar
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Daati Sahib Sandeea
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Asa Ki Vaar
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Raaj Leela Terai Naam
Bhai Gopal Singh – 07 Asa Ki Vaar
Bhai Gopal Singh – 08 Dhan So Vela Jit Darshan
Vol. 5B
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Savaeeai & Hukamnama
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Asa Ki Vaar
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Gur Nanak Satgur Tutha
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Asa Ki Vaar
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Dhan Dhan Raamdas Gur
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Anand Sahib
Bhai Gopal Singh – 07 Asa Ki Vaar
Bhai Gopal Singh – 08 Teri Seva Tuj Tay Hovai
Bhai Gopal Singh – 09 Asa Ki Vaar
Bhai Gopal Singh – 10 Har Japay Harmandir Saajia
Bhai Gopal Singh – 11 Asa Ki Vaar
Bhai Gopal Singh – 12 Dhithay Sabay Thaav Nahi
Bhai Gopal Singh – 13 Asa Ki Vaar
Vol. 5C
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Satgur Ki Seva Safal Hai
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Deh Shiva Bar Moh Ehai
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Shati Seetal Man Sukhi
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Hukamnama
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Lakh Khushiaa Patshaahia
Bhai Gopal Singh – 07 Ja Ka Meet Saajan Hai
Vol. 6
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Lakh Khushiaa Patshaahia
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Gur Raamdas Raakho Sarnaee
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Dhan Eh Thaan Govind
Vol. 7
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Ham Kookar Teray Darbaar
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Dhadhi Dar Prabh Mangna
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Choji Meray Govinda Choji Meray Piarea
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Bang Kay Bangali
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Charan Kamal Gur Kay Japat
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Tu Samrath Vada
Vol. 8
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Ja Kay Simran Sabh Kash
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Tum Maat Pita Ham Baarak
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Chim Chim Varsai Amrit
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Kar Kirpa Kirpaal
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Doi Kar Jod Karo
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Vaheguru Vaheguru Vaheguru Vahe Jeeo
Bhai Gopal Singh – 07 Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam Ji
Vol. 9
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Kahay Ray Ban Khojan
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Man Lochai Har Milan Ko
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Har Kar Kirpa Man Vas
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Kar Kirpa Dayaal Prabh
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Ek Chit Jeh Ek Shin
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Bhaee Jeet Meri Kirpa
Bhai Gopal Singh – 07 Kaadray Har Kaar Gur Gobind Singh
Vol. 10
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Varsai Laayay Charhi
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Mera Satgur Rakhvala
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Darshan Dekh Jeeva Gur
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Bhinni Renardiye Chaamkan Taaray
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Dhithi Hab Dhandhol Hikas
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Jalay Hai Dhalay Hai
Bhai Gopal Singh – 07 Eeha Hari Ooha Hari
Bhai Gopal Singh – 08 Nirjur Niroop Ho Kay Sundar
Bhai Gopal Singh – 09 Dehra Maseet Soee Pooja
Bhai Gopal Singh – 10 Man Kio Bairaag Karehga
Bhai Gopal Singh – 11 Deen Darad Dukh Bhanjna
Vol. 11
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Bhalkay Uth Paraona Merai
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Sabhay Jee Smaal Apni
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Saachay Sahiba Kia Naahi
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Tum Ghar Aavo Meray Meet
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Gyaan Dhyaan Kish Karam
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Mera Man Lochai Gur
Bhai Gopal Singh – 07 Loga Bharam Na Bhoolo Bhaee
Bhai Gopal Singh – 08 Ray Chit Chetas Ki Na Dayaa
Vol. 12
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Manglacharan
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Malhar Seetal Raag Hai
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Babeeha Tu Sach Chou
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Kar Kirpa Kirpaal Aapay
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Mero Sundar Kaho Milai
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Darshan Pyaasi Dinas Raat
Bhai Gopal Singh – 07 Nadi Tarandadi Mainda Khoj
Bhai Gopal Singh – 08 Meray Laal Jio Tera
Bhai Gopal Singh – 09 Mil Meray Preetma Jeeo
Vol. 13
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Har Jeeo Sada Teri Sharnaee
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Meray Sahiba Houn Aapay
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Darshan Deejai Khol Kivaar
Vol. 14
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Tuj Oopar Mera Hai Mana
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Mera Man Aalaseea
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Jalo Aisee Reeet Jit Mai
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Aisee Preet Karo Man Meray
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Madho Satsangat Sharan Tumari
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Sa Mat Deh Dayaal Prabh
Bhai Gopal Singh – 07 Tu Bhaaro Suami Mera
Bhai Gopal Singh – 08 Saee Alakh Apaar Bhori
Bhai Gopal Singh – 09 Soee Suhava Thaao
Bhai Gopal Singh – 10 Man Ray Prabh Ki Sharan
Vol. 15
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Meray Laalan Ki Sobha
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Har Har Naam Apaar Amolee
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Har Sacha Simro Bhaee
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Hik Bhori Na Vishod
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Ik Ardaas Bhaat Keerat Ki
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Meray Raam Rae Tu Santa
Vol. 16
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Raamdas Gur Sat Kio
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Maee Meray Man Ko Sukh
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Houn Ayea Dooro Chal Kai
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Mehma Sadhoo Sang Ki
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Ab Gur Raamdaas Kou Milee
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Mera Muj Meh Kich Naahi
Bhai Gopal Singh – 07 Har Har Charan Riday Urdhaaray
Bhai Gopal Singh – 08 Jap Man Satnaam Sada
Vol. 17
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Jaagna Jaagan Neeka
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Hukamnama
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Teray Gun Gaava Deh Bujaaee
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Thakur Tum Sharnaee Ayea
Rare Collection Gurbani Kirtan – Live At Golden Temple CD 1
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Dithe Sabhe Thawan Niahi Tudh Jehia
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Dhan Dhan Ramdas Guru Jin Siria
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Bin Bolya Sab Kicch Janda
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Vighan Na Kou Lagta Guru Pahe Ardas
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Ja Tu Mere Wal Hai Ta Kiya
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Sab Sukh Data Ram Hai
Bhai Gopal Singh – 07 Dithi Habh Dhandhol
Bhai Gopal Singh – 08 Ramdass Guru Har Sat Kiau
Rare Collection Gurbani Kirtan – Live At Golden Temple CD 2
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Hukamnama – Aage Sukh Mere Meeta
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Bal Bal Jayee Sant Piyare
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Wade Mere Sahiba Gehar Gambhira
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Nirguniare Gun Nahi Koi Tum Daan Deh
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Kirpa Karo Deen Ke Daate
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Baarne Baliharne Lakh Bariya
Bhai Gopal Singh – 07 Sagal Icch Meri Pooniya Miliya Niranjan Rai
The recordings below are from set of cassettes obtained from late Sardar Harcharan Singh Ji from Tanjung Rambutan, Malaysia.
Vol. 1 – Recordings from Singapore on 6th August 1968 in conjunction with Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Birthday
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Re Man Aiso Kar Saneyasa
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Sagal Ich Meri Puniya
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Man Chao Bhaya
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Dhan Jio Teh Ko Jag Mein
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Inhee Ki Kirpa
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Waho Waho Gobind Singh
Vol. 2
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Teeran Kamana Valeya
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Dhan So Vela Jit Darshan
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Tum Ghar Awoh Ji
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Sabhe Ghat Ram Bole
Vol. 3
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Awoh Bhene Gal Mileh
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Tujh Bin Kavan Hamara
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Tu Chou Sajan Mendeya
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Bisar Gayi Sabh Taat Parayi
Vol. 4
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Maran Na Manda Lokan Akhiye
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Ki Tak Rahe Ho (Geet)
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Koun Ko Kalank Reho
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Har Bin Jio Jal Bal Jaon
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Mere Lal Jio Tera Ant Na Jana
Vol. 5
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Darshan Har Dekhan Ke Tain
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Sansar Samunde Taar Gobinde
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Deh Shiva Bar Moh Ehai
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Jaagna Jaagan Neeka
Vol. 6
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Har Har Naam Mein Har Man
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Ek Shaha Tudh Dhiayenda
Vol. 7 – Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) recording
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Bure Kaam Ko Uth Khaloya
Vol. 8
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Prabh Mohe Kavan Anath Bichara
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Satgur Nanak Jag Vich Aaya
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Aval Allah Noor Upaya
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Tu Chou Sajan Mendeya
Bhai Gopal Singh – 05 Jion Jaano Tion Rakh
Bhai Gopal Singh – 06 Mere Sahib Tu Main Maan
The recordings below are from a live Kirtan program recorded at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar. These were obtained from the ‘Long Island Keertan’ website, which is no longer active.
Bhai Gopal Singh – 01 Baarne Balharne Lakh Bariya
Bhai Gopal Singh – 02 Kirpa Karo Deen Ke Daate
Bhai Gopal Singh – 03 Ramdas Guru Har Sat Jiyo
Bhai Gopal Singh – 04 Sabh Sukh Daata Ram Hai
The recording below was obtained from a cassette contributed by late Bhai Charanjit Singh Ji from Patiala.