Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib)

Bhai Joginder Singh and Bhai Mohinder Singh were legendary figures in the field of music, especially in Kirtan. Music has been in their family for generations as they belong to the Rababi tradition of music dating back a few hundred years. Both brothers were born in Nankana Sahib, which is now in Pakistan. The older of the two brothers, Bhai Joginder Singh Ji was born in 1940, followed by the birth of Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji in 1944.

Their father, Bhai Tarlochan Singh Mastana served as a Hazoori Raagi in Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib prior to the partition of Punjab in 1947. He was also a renowned ‘tabla vadak’ and had accompanied the jatha of Bhai Jaswant Singh and Bhai Pal Singh. In one of his recordings, Bhai Pal Singh Ji mentioned that Bhai Tarlochan Singh Mastana would often sit with Akhtari Bai ‘Faizabadi’ and sing with her. He also said that the singing of Bhai Prithipal Singh and Bhai Mohanpal Singh was inspired by Bhai Tarlochan Singh Ji. It is said that his voice could go well beyond the upper notes of the harmonium.

Going back another generation, Bhai Tarlochan Singh’s father, Bhai Kima and uncle, Bhai Molu were accomplished singers as well. They were popularly known as the jatha of ‘Molu Kima’ and it is said that there is a street named after them in Pakistan. Both Bhai Molu and Bhai Kima became Amritdhari Sikhs and changed their names to Bhai Sant Singh and Bhai Basant Singh respectively. After the partition of Punjab, Bhai Tarlochan Singh Ji and his family settled in Patiala along with three other Rababi families from Nankana Sahib; Bhai Gurmukh Singh & Sarmukh Singh Fakkar, Bhai Jaswant Singh & Pal Singh and Bhai Mehar Singh Taan. During this time, Bhai Tarlochan Singh Ji got separated from his younger brother, Baba Manga Ji who got left behind in newly formed Pakistan. Sadly, they would never meet again.

Coming back to Bhai Joginder Singh Ji and Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji, they received their ‘taleem’ from home, mainly from their father. They also went on to learn from Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan of Patiala Gharana. In 1976, Bhai Joginder Singh and Bhai Mohinder Singh accompanied ‘Jathedar’ Baba Santa Singh Ji of 96 Crori Panth Akali Budha Dal to Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib, Nanded. During this visit, the Sangat of Nanded were so mesmerized by their Kirtan that they were requested to stay on. Since then, their family has been serving Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib.

Bhai Joginder Singh Ji was the jathedar, while Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji used to provide accompaniment on dilruba and vocals. They were initially accompanied on tabla by Bhai Mahinderpal Singh ‘Ladoo’, and subsequently by their own sons. Bhai Joginder Singh Ji passed away in 1985 at the very young age of 45. After his passing, Bhai Mohinder Singh continued to perform Kirtan with his sons until he too passed away in 1996. The information above was obtained from Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji’s son, Bhai Gurpartap Singh and some details were also taken from the book ‘Gurmat Sangeet De Anmol Ratan’ by late Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa.

One other detail that I would like to share was narrated to me by Bhai Kishanpal Singh Ji and Bhai Gurpartap Singh Ji. Once, when Ustad Salamat Ali Khan of Sham Chaurasi Gharana was visiting their home in Patiala, he listened to a cassette that Bhai Kishanpal Singh Ji had put on. In this cassette, Bhai Joginder Singh and Bhai Mohinder Singh were singing ‘Deen Duniya Dar Kamande’ in Raag Vachaspati. He listened to the entire recording and at the end, he said that although he has sung the same Raag before, he could not fill the same ‘Rang’ into the Raag as they had done. It is wonderful to see the respect one artist has for another and the humbleness of an artist of such stature. If anyone has more recordings of Bhai Joginder Singh and Bhai Mohinder Singh to share, please contact us.

The first batch of recordings were contributed by Ustad Jaswant Singh (Delhi). Please ‘right click’ and ‘save link as’ to download audio files. Enjoy!

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 01 – Har Ke Sewak Jo

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 02 – Jaag Re Man Jaagan

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 03 – Boliye Sach Dharam

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 04 – Har Jas Re Mana

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 05 – Pritam Ram Batavoh

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 06 – Asa Di Vaar Part 1

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 07 – Asa Di Vaar Part 2

The following recordings were contributed by Bhai Mohinder Singh’s son, Bhai Gurpartap Singh who currently is performing Kirtan duty in Hazoor Sahib. There is also another batch of their recordings that were given to me by Bhai Gurpartap Singh, but the sound quality is not very good. I will try to make some improvements to the sound before uploading those. Please check again for the rest of the recordings. If anyone has experience in restoring audio files, please get in touch with us.

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Anand Sahib V1

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Anand Sahib V2

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Asa Di Vaar (Incomplete)

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Awoh Sakhi Har (Incomplete)

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Darsh Tere Ki Pyaas (Raag Asa)

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Doodh Pio (Raag Ahir Bhairo)

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Har Har Har Aradho (Raag Gujri Todi)

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Poota Mata Ki Asees

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Ramdas Sarovar Naate (Raag Ahir Bhairo)

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Toote Bandhan Jaas Ke (Raag Ahir Bhairo)

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) & Bhai Gulzar Singh- Visar Nahi Prabh (Gujri Todi)

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Asa Ki Vaar (3rd – Incomplete second half only)

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Jogi Andar Jogiya

The following recordings are from the album ‘Re Man Ot Leho Har Naama’.

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 01 – Ram Ram Bol Ram Ram

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 02 – Re Man Oat Leho Har Naama

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 03 – Je Takhat Basale

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 04 – Jal Te Thal Kar

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 05 – Bande Khoj Dil Har Roj

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 06 – Khoob Teri Pagri

Since Bhai Joginder Singh Ji passed away in 1985, Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji formed a jatha with his sons and continued to do Kirtan until he too passed away. The following recordings are of Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji with his sons. These recordings were also contributed by Bhai Gurpartap Singh.

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Asa Di Vaar on 13th January 1990

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Asa Di Vaar Tape 1 (Incomplete)

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Asa Di Vaar Tape 3

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Asa Di Vaar Tape 2

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 01 – Jap Man Satnam

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 02 – Jal Te Thal Kar

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 03 – Khoob Teri Pagri

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 04 – Dhian Taro Teh Ko

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 05 – Lakhi Jangal Khalsa

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 06 – Deh Shiva

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 07 – Anand Sahib

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 08 – Yudh Ke Jitaiya

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 09 – Nahi Chodoon Re

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 10 – Ram Ram Bol

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 11 – Gur Ki Na

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 12 – Sajna Sant Aao

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 13 – Aaj Hamare Greh

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 14 – Har Ko Naam

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 15 – Houn Var Var

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 16 – Bhule Marag

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 17 – Tooti Zanjeer

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 18 – Satgur Paas

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 19 – Mahiwal Nu

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 20 – Kar Kirpa Kirpal

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 21 – Manglacharan

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 22 – Sawal Sundar

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 23 – Main Andhley Ki

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 24 – Bajat Basant

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 25 – Rajan Ke Raja

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 26 – Bhini Renarhiye

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 27 – Saran Nath

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 28 – Kaali Koel

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 29 – Tooti Zanjeer

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 30 – Sun Ke Sad Mahi

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 31 – Dhian Taro

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 32 – Jai Tehgang

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 33 – Waho Waho

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 34 – Rehni Rahe

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 35 – Khalsa Mero Roop

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 36 – Bin Kartar Na

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 37 – Mati Ko Putra

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 38 – Mati Ko Putra 2

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 39 – Gur Ka Darshan

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 40 – Bhini Renarhiye

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 41 – Jap Man Satnam

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 42 – Kanwal Nain

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 43 – Waheguru

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 44 – Tu Nijpat Hai

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 45 – Lagi Preet Sujan

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 46 – Patna Shehar

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 47 – Poorbi Na Paar

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 48 – Tumri Mahima

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 49 – Tuhi Nishani

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 50 – Aise Gur Ko

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 51 – Kirpa Karo Deen

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 52 – Aaj More Aye

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 53 – Tu Sabhni Thayi

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 54 – Tu Data Jian

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 55 – Satgur Sev Sarab

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 56 – Part of Asa Di Vaar

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 57 – Gur Bina Paar

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 58 – Deen Duniya

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 59 – Sri Bhagwan

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 60 – Main Hu Param

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 61 – Chit Na Bhayo

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 62 – Sewak Ki Ardas

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 63 – Deenan Ki

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 64 – Jis Da Karta

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 65 – Aval Allah

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 66 – Tu Hi Hai

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 67 – Vaido Na Vai

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 68 – Shudta Ki Shan

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 69 – Rang Ahe Mukh

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 70 – Toote Bandhan

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 71 – Anand Sahib

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 72 – Sadho Man Ka Maan

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 73 – Baba Bolte Te

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 74 – Kaal Ke Banaye

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 75 – Har Ka Bilovna

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 76 – Aaj Hamare Greh

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 77 – Sansar Samunde

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 78 – Varse Megh Sakhi

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 79 – Anand Sahib

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 80 – Dandaut

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 81 – Maate Chatar Dhare

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 82 – Apne Rang Sabh Ko

The following Asa Di Vaar was contributed by Bhai Lal Singh Fakkar whose maternal grandfather was Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji.

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Asa Di Vaar Part 1

Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Asa Di Vaar Part 2 (Incomplete)

*New Recordings Added – 28th October 2021

The recordings below are from the wedding of Bhai Mahinderpal Singh ‘Laddoo’ in 1973. Accompanying them on tabla is Bhai Kishanpal Singh. These recordings were kindly contributed by Bhai Pargat Singh Matharu’s grandson, Sahib Singh from New York.

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 01 Jap Man Satnam (Ahir Bhairo)

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – 02 Hum Ghar Sajan Aaye

The next two Shabads were kindly contributed by Bhai Gurpartap Singh Ji and digitised by Bhai Harbans Singh Suraj.

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Houn Vaar Vaar Jaon (Ramkali)

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Bhoole Marag Jinhe Batayaa

The following are a few partial Asa Ki Vaar recordings that were also contributed by Bhai Gurpartap Singh Ji.

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Asa Ki Vaar 1

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Asa Ki Vaar 2

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Asa Ki Vaar 3

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Asa Ki Vaar 4

The following Shabads were extracted from the above Asa Ki Vaar recordings.

Bhai Joginder & Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) – Amrit Vele Sarnavanda