Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi

 

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi was born in 1904 in the city of Sialkot, which is now in Pakistan. His father was a buffalo trader but his older brother was serving as a Granthi in the Gurdwara. This interaction developed his interest in Kirtan. At that time, he could do simple Kirtan, but then he met Sant Prem Singh Ji from Marala, who had a fine taste in music and was very knowledgeable himself. He went to Sant Prem Singh Ji’s ‘dera’ in 1921 and began to learn Kirtan. Many renowned Raagis and Ustads used to visit the ‘dera’ to teach music to the children living there, and among them was Ustad Barkat Ali Khan. Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi received most of his ‘taleem’ in classical music from Ustad Barkat Ali Khan. One day, as Sant Prem Singh Ji walked into his ‘dera’ after returning from a trip, he heard Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi doing Kirtan. Jogi Ji had performed a beautiful ‘Alaap’ at a high pitch and this touched Sant Prem Singh Ji in his heart. He instantly said ‘Wah! Gyan Singh Wah! Your voice will always remain like this”. True to Sant Prem Singh Ji’s words, Bhai Gyan Singh Ji’s voice never changed until the end.

Before the partition in 1947, there were many music festivals and shows being held in Marala. In 1941, a young Salamat Ali Khan attended one of these festivals with his elder brother, Nazakat Ali Khan. This was before they became famous and they came in tattered clothes requesting to perform on stage. Someone told them to approach the ‘Sardar’ who was wearing a white turban with sun-glasses. This was non other than Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi who was in charge of the festival. He gave them 10 minutes of stage time, during which they mesmerized the audience and following this performance, they gained popularity rapidly.

Following the division of Punjab, Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi got separated from his family and came to Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur. He had to leave all his belongings behind in Pakistan as well. After spending a short time in Dera Baba Nanak, he went to Qadian, the birthplace of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. At the same time, Sant Prem Singh Ji had sent people to look for him and they found him in 1948. He was brought to Sant Prem Singh Ji’s new ‘dera’ in Wadi Miani, Kapurthala and spent many years here.

In 1948, he formed a ‘dhadhi jatha’ with Bhai Sohan Singh Rasia, Ustad Sundar Singh on ‘sarangi’ and Sardar Singh on banjo and ‘dhad’. This newly formed jatha went on tour all around India for many years. It was only in 1968 that Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi formed a Kirtani jatha, but even then, their style was that of a ‘dhadhi jatha’ with the harmoniums placed on a table. This jatha consisted of Bhai Sohan Singh Rasia on mandolin and Bhai Sant Singh on tabla.

In 1969, during the 500-year birthday celebration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, they were booked at Naka Hindola Gurdwara in Lucknow. They performed the same ‘dhadhi’ style of Kirtan and after the program, the Gurdwara committee members commended their Kirtan but also very nicely suggested that they would fare better by forming a proper Kirtani jatha. Following this incident, they decided to change their method and began to perform in the regular way, with their instruments placed on the floor.

In 1969, they began learning from renowned vocalist, Karam Singh Chakravorty in Nakodar. Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi’s son, Rajbinder Singh, was sent to learn tabla from Prof. Pritam Singh Zakhmi at Gurmat Sangeet Vidhyala Singha Wala. He spent 4 years learning from Zakhmi Ji and then joined the jatha in 1974, who were in service of Model Town Gurdwara, Jalandhar at that time. While in Jalandhar, they also performed at Jalandhar radio station regularly. Jogi Ji became very close to renowned vocalist, Balbir Seth, who performed Khyal regularly on Akashvani. They used to have discussions on music and would learn from each other as well.

After leaving Model Town Gurdwara in 1979, Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi served at Gurdwara Guru Nanak Mission for 5 years. In March of 1984, he went to England and stayed there for 1 year. Bhai Sahib’s son, Bhai Rajbinder Singh narrated an interesting story that occurred during Jogi Ji’s trip to England. They were sitting by the side of the road contemplating about going back to India because they were not booked for any programs and felt disheartened. Coincidentally, a fellow ‘Gursikh’ spotted the jatha and invited them to an AKJ Kirtan Diwan that he was attending, and told them that he would try to request the management to allow them 10 minutes of stage time. When Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi went onto the stage and started singing, everyone was mesmerized and he was told to continue singing to the end of the program. Following this performance, their jatha was booked for programs throughout the United Kingdom for 1 year.

While in the UK, Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi met renowned Qawali singer, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan at the home of Kulwant Singh Gujral. When Nusrat Saab heard that Jogi Ji was a student of Ustad Barkat Ali Khan, he was very happy and requested Jogi Ji to perform the ‘Sapat Taan’ to which Jogi Ji obliged. After hearing the ‘Sapat Taan’, Nusrat Saab stood up and hugged Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi and said “The students of our elders are like our teachers”. After their trip to England, they travelled to Canada in 1985.

Upon returning to India, Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi did Kirtan in Niki Miani and the surrounding areas. In 1994, he returned to Jalandhar and served in Model House Gurdwara for 2 years. He made another trip to Canada in 1996 and also went to the United States (US) during this tour. He was accompanied by his sons, Joginder Singh on the side harmonium and Rajbinder Singh on tabla. After this tour, they made another trip to Canada and the US between 1997 to 1998. Jogi Ji’s last trip abroad was to Germany in 2001. From 2002 onward, he was based in Jalandhar and only did freelance Kirtan in nearby locations.

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi passed away on 7th November 2007 at the ripe age of 103. It is interesting to note that most of his recordings that exist are from when he was in his 80s and 90s. The quality of his voice had not changed and it was as powerful and melodious as ever. He was also well respected by many renowned Raagis such as Bhai Bakshish Singh, Bhai Prithipal and Mohanpal Singh, Bhai Santa Singh Chamak, Bhai Balbir Singh and many others. Some of Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi’s notable students include Bhai Sohan Singh Rasia, Bhai Gurdeep Singh Shaan, Giani Jaswant Singh Parwana, and Hariqbal Singh from Germany among others.

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi’s older two sons, Mohan Singh Ji and Sampuran Singh Ji both served in the Indian army and are now retired. Mohan Singh Ji currently lives in Delhi while Sampuran Singh Ji is based in Jalandhar. Rajbinder Singh Ji is currently running the Guru Ramdas Gurmat Sangeet Academy in Jalandhar and Joginder Singh Ji lives in Niki Miani. The information above was obtained from Bhai Rajbinder Singh and his son, Harjot Singh.

If anyone has more recordings of Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi to share, please contact us.

 

The first batch of recordings below were contributed by Sardar Nachatar Singh Sahota. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save as’ to download audio files. Enjoy!

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Madho Kaise Banee (Incomplete)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Satgur Poore Kini Daat

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Har Jiyo Nimaanian Tu Maan

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Ja Ka Meet Saajan Hai Samiyan

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Satgur Darshan Dhan Hai

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Mere Ram Rai Tu Santa Ka Sant Tere

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Rakhanhaar Sumaar Jana

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Bhalo Samoh Simran Ki Bariya (Incomplete)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Dhiro Dekh Tumhare Ranga

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Bhagtan Ki Tek Tu

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Mat Ko Bharam Bhoole Sansar

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Prem Ke Kaan Lage Dhan Bheetar

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Har Jiyo Nimaanian Tu Maan

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Vichaar

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Har Ji Meri Saar Kare

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Houn Vaari Ghuma Jaavda

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Prabh Keeje Kirpa Nidhan (Incomplete)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Har Jan Sant Milo Mere Bhai

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Har Jan Dekho Satgur Naini

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Mere Ram Rai

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Bhalo Samoh Simran Ki Bhariya

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Mere Man Har Har Naam Dhiaye

 

The next batch of recordings below are from his visit to the UK in 1986. These recordings were contributed by Bhai Harbans Singh Suraj (UK).

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Jap Gobind Gopal

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Mere Har Jiyo

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Sabhna Ka Dar

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Har Jas Sunat

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Aao Saajan

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Ram Bhaj Ram Bhaj

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Mere Har Jeeyo

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Har Gun Gao

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Saajna Sant Aao

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Parbrahm Pooran

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Sant Janaa Mil

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Ram Mokao Har Jan

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Tum To Rakhanhaar

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Prabh Dori Haath Tumhare

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Aisi Kirpa Mohe Karo

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Asa Di Vaar UK 1986 part 1

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Asa Di Vaar UK 1986 part 2

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Asa Di Vaar UK 1986 part 3

 

For those who wish to enjoy the Shabads from the Asa Di Vaar above, I have extracted the individual Shabads from the recording.

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Darshan Ko Bal Jaon

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Jo Sukh Ko Chahe Sada

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Kaho Nanak Sobha

Bhai Gyan SIngh Jogi – Keh Ravidas Sabhey Jag Luteya

Bhai Gyan SIngh Jogi – Prani Ko Har Jas

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Pritam Ke Desh Kaise Batan

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Rain Gayi Mat

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Ram Jana Ko

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Sai Naam Amol

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Var Var Jaon

Bhai Gyan SIngh Jogi – Waheguru Tera Sabh Sadka

 

I am not very sure where the following two Shabads were recorded. These were contributed by Bhai Harbans Singh Suraj.

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Man Dhan Vas Rahe (Maligaurha)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Ram Janaa Ko Ram Bharosa

 

The recordings below are from his visit to New Jersey in 1997.

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Asa Di Vaar in New Jersey part 1

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Asa Di Vaar in New Jersey part 2

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Apne Sewak Ko Kabhu Na Bisaro

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Aye Te Parwaan

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Baba Man Saacha

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Bhoujal Bin Shabde Kyon Tariye

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Guru Ji Ke Darshan

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Har Gun Gawoh Mana

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Harjiyo Naam Paryo Ramdas

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Hey Gobind Hey Gopal

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Houn Vaar Vaar Jaon

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Jis Piare Sion Neho

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Kaho Benanti Apne Satgur Paye

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Khoob Tero Naam

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Kirat Prabh Ki Gawoh Meri Rasna

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Maango Daan Thakur Naam

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Maango Ram Te Ek Daan

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Madho Aisi Bane

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Madho Tum Thakur Sir Mora

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Mere Sahib Mere Sahib

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Milo Meri Mai

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Nar Achet Paap Te Dar Re

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Prabh Tere Pag Ki Dhur

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Raakh Leho Hum Te Bigri

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Rasna Japti Tuhi Tuhi

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Re Man Ram Sion Kar Preet

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Rut Ayile Saras Basant

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Sadho Man Ka Maan Dhiagoh

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Sajno Tu Meet Mera

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Satgur Tumre Kaaj Saware

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Waho Waho Baani Nirankar Hai

 

The next batch of recordings are from two cassettes which were contributed by Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi’s grandson, Bhai Harjot Singh. 

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 01 Saajna Sant Aao Mere

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 02 Prabh Keeje Kirpa Nidhaan

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 03 Ramaiya Houn Barik Tera

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 04 Aisi Lal Tujh Bin Kaun Kare

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 05 Paarbrahm Puran Parmesar

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 06 Hum Dhanwant Bhagat Sach Nae

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 07 Sadho Gobind Ke Gun Gao

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 08 Re Nar Eh Saachi Ji Dhaar

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 09 Sant Jana Mil Har Jas Gayo

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 10 Khoob Tero Naam (Ahir Bhairo)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 11 Kaho Benanti Apne Satgur

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 12 Satgur Tumre Kaaj Savare

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 13 Keerat Prabh Ki (Darbari Kanra)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 14 Mere Sahib Tu Mai Maan Nimaani

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 15 Har Gun Gao Manaa

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 16 Bhaujal Bin Shabde Kyon

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 17 Re Man Ram Sion Kar Preet

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 18 Jis Piare Sion Neho

 

*New Recordings Added – 16th November 2020

 

The recordings below were contributed by Dr. Manjit Singh Hunjin, who is a very talented artist. Please visit his Instagram page AmsimeetArt to check out his artwork.

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 01 Bisar Gayi Sabh Taat Parayee (Kanra)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 02 Aavoh Saajan Sant Meet Piare (with Katha)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 03 Sant Jana Mil Har Jas (Chandrakauns)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 04 Anand Sahib

 

*New Recordings Added – 9th April 2021

 

The Shabads below were recorded in Sri Guru Singh Sabha Malton, Canada during Bhai Sahib’s visit to Toronto in 2005. These were recorded and kindly contributed by Sardar Balkar Singh Dhesi. 

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 01 Har Gun Gaavo Mna Satgur

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 02 Gur Ke Charan Kamal Man

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 03 Jin Ko Aap Deh Vadhiaee

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 04 Mere Raam Rae Tu Santa

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 05 Kabir Chandan Ka Birva Bhala

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 06 Daas Tere Ki Benti Ridhe

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 07 Maadho Jal Ki Pyaas Na Jae

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 08 Man Raam Naama Bedhiale (Incomplete)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 09 Pritpal Prabh Kirpaal Kavan Gun Gani (Incomplete)

 

*New Recordings Added – 4th January 2022

 

The following recordings are from Bhai Gyan Singh Ji’s tour to Toronto, Canada in 1986. These are from the collection of the late Sardar Manmohan Singh Ji Marwaha.

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 01 Sagal Anand Kiya Parmesar

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 02 Madho Tu Thakur Sir Mora

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 03 Tu Mera Raakha Sabhni Thayi

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 04 Saajna Sant Aao Mere (Desi Todi)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 05 Kaho Nanak Satgur Balhari

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 06 Har Jiyo Sada Teri Sarnaee

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 07 Thakur Jiyo Tuhaaro Parna

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 08 Tere Bharose Piare

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 09 Basant Rut Aayi (Basant)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 10 Har Naam Laha Daas Kou Diya

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 11 Vaddi Teri Vadiayee

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 12 Preet Man Laagi

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 13 Jap Man Mere Gobind Ki Bani (with Katha)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 14 Mera Tanda Ladeya Jaye Re

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 15 Aisi Kirpa Mohe Karo (Patdeep)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 16 Ram Mokao Har Jan Mel Piare

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 17 Tere Bharose Piare

 

The next batch of recordings were obtained from Preet Video in Canada.

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 01 Saadho Man Ka Maan Tiago

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 02 Har Naam Laha Daas

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 03 Raaj Leela Tere Naam

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 04 Rut Ayee Lai Saras Basant

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 05 Khoob Khoob Khoob Tero Naam

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 06 Mera Tanda Ladeya Jaye Re

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 07 Keerat Prabh Ki Gao

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 08 Prem Ke Kaan Lage

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 09 Daas Teri Ki Benti Ridh Kar Pargaas

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 10 Sant Jana Mil Har Jas Gaio

 

The next batch of recordings are from Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi’s trip to Canada in 1993. These were kindly contributed by Sardar Didar Singh Chana and family. 

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 01 Hamari Piari Amritdhari (Marwa)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 02 Lakh Khushiyan Patshaiyan (Incomplete)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 03 Gur Parmaaye Gursikh (with Katha)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 04 Purja Purja Kat Marai

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 05 Anand Sahib

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 06 Bisar Gayi Sabh Taat Parayee (Kanra)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 07 Waho Waho Bani Nirankar Hai

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 08 Tu Saajan Tu Pritam Mera (Malgunji)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 09 Har Jiyo Nimaanian Tu Maan

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 10 Ab Hum Chali Thakur (Bhimpalasi – Incomplete)

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – 11 Na Jaana Kya Gat Ram Hamari

 

The  recording below was obtained from the YouTube channel of Bhai Balwant Singh Littranwala. Please subscribe to his channel ‘Sikhi Guldasta’  for more recordings, especially of many renowned Dhadhi jathas. 

Bhai Gyan Singh Jogi – Kaisi Bane Tum Sange Madho