Bhai Kishanpal Singh (Patiala)

We all have that one Raagi whom we connect to the most and for me that would be Bhai Kishanpal Singh Ji. Maybe it is due to the fact that he stayed in our house for 3 months during his tour to Malaysia in 2000. Nevertheless, he was definitely one of the most talented Raagis of his time who went away too soon. Bhai Kishanpal Singh Ji was born on 13th April 1958. He was the youngest son of Bhai Jaswant Singh of Jasa-Pala fame. The oldest of his brothers was Bhai Prithipal Singh, followed by Bhai Jasbir Singh and Bhai Mahinderpal Singh ‘Ladoo’. Born into the Rababi tradition of Kirtan, Bhai Kishanpal Ji started learning from a very young age. He was initially trained in tabla by his maternal uncle, Bhai Mohinder Singh (Hazoor Sahib) and he used to accompany Bhai Pal Singh, Bhai Prithpal Singh and Bhai Mohanpal Singh on stage. Simultaneously, he also picked up the trademark family style of singing which was strongly influenced by the Patiala Gharana.

He used to practice up to 12 hours a day and I was told by someone about how he once performed Kirtan for 17 hours at a stretch in the last few years of his life. This took place during a Samagam at Nanaksar organised by Sant Ram Singh Ji. Sant Ji invited Bhai Kishanpal Singh Ji to perform Kirtan and he started at 7 p.m. after Rehras Sahib. Sant Ram Singh Ji and the entire Sangat were so mesmerised that they did not move and neither did Bhai Kishanpal Ji. He continued to perform Kirtan the entire night and in the morning he performed Asa Ki Vaar and continued up till noon. I for one have witnessed Bhai Kishanpal Singh Ji perform Kirtan for more than 5 hours at my residence. Unfortunately, I did not record that program as I was not into recording at that time. By the time I realised that it is important to preserve the recordings of such great Raagis, it was too late. Sadly, Bhai Kishanpal Ji passed away on 23rd March 2007 at the age of 49 due to complications of diabetes. Thankfully, we still have some recordings of his to enjoy and remember him by. If anyone has more recordings of Bhai Kishanpal Singh Ji to share, please contact us.

The first set of recordings are from a Kirtan program at my residence in 2000 and these were recorded by my father, Dr. Kernail Singh. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save link as’ to download audio files. Enjoy!

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 01 Satgur Tumre Kaaj Saware

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 02 Dukhbhanjan Tera Naam

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 03 Aokhi Ghadi Na Dekhan Deyi

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 04 Mera Satgur Rakhwala Hoa

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 05 Mera Gobind Neecho Ooch Kare

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 06 Mul Kharidi Lala Gola

The next batch of recordings are from various Diwans in Gurdwara Sahib Selayang Baru, Malaysia in 2000. These were recorded by my uncle, Sardar Chanan Singh.

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Abh Rakho Daas Bhaat Ki Laaj

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Asa Dee Vaar (Live) Side A

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Asa Dee Vaar (Live) Side B

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Asa Di Var G.S.Selayang Part 1

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Asa Di Var G.S.Selayang Part 2

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Asa Di Var G.S.Selayang Part 3

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Baba Nanak Dukhian De Naath (Version 2)

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Bhaav Suhave Ja Tou

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Chad Singhasan Har Ji Aye

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Guru Mere Sang Sada Hai Naale

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – (for Chad Singhasan)

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Mehr Karo Trinte Mohe

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Nain Mahinjey Tarsde

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Poojo Ram Ek Hi Deva

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Rog Gawaye Apna

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Soee Dhiayie Jiarey

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Sukh Nahi Re Har Bhagat Bina

The next two recordings are from a Kirtan program held in Gurdwara Sahib Rasa in memory of my late grandmother. The ‘Parmaans’ sung by Bhai Kishanpal Ji in the Shabad ‘Ant Ki Baar’ are amazing and really makes me miss the tradition of using Parmaans.

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Ant Ki Baar (Raag Kalyan – with Katha)

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Kirtan in Gurdwara Sahib Rasa in 2000

The following recordings are from the annual Vaisakhi Samagam that used to be held at the International Youth Center (IYC) in Cheras, Malaysia in the year 2000. Recordings were made by Sardar Karam Singh Ji.

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Anand Sahib

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Ab Reejh Ke Deo

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Baba Nanak Dukhiyan De Naath

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Gur Ke Charan Jika Nistara

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Jap Gobind Gopal Lal

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Mul Kharidi Lala Gola

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Pooran Joth Jage

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – Sewak Ki Ardaas Pyare

The next two recordings are from a Kirtan Diwan at Gurdwara Sahib Titiwangsa on 2nd May 2000. This program was also recorded by Sardar Karam Singh.

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 01 – Man Re Prabh Ki Sharan Bichaaro

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 02 – Gayo Ri Main Gun Nidh Mangal Gayo

The following recordings are from a Samagam held in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh in 2000. Recordings were contributed by Bhai Harbans Singh Suraj (UK). The cassettes were a bit faulty and were playing at a lower speed but Bhai Harbans Singh Ji managed to get it as close as possible to normal.

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 01 Vichaar

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 02 Tu Samrath Vada (Bairagi Bhairo)

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 03 Lakh Khushiyan Patshaiyan

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 04 Vichaar

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 05 Chojee Mere Gobinda

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 06 Vichaar

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 07 Soyee Suhaava

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 08 Vichaar

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 09 Sabh Dhan Kaho

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 10 Anand Sahib

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 11 Satgur Mere Ki

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 12 Sewak Ki Ardas (Malkauns)

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 13 Man Re Prabh Ki Saran

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 14 Vichaar

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 15 Vichaar

Bhai Kishanpal Singh – 16 Ab Reejh Ke Deho (Gujri Todi)

The following collection of recordings are from Bhai Kishanpal Ji’s visit to Malaysia in 1992 during which time he was accompanying Bhai Hariqbal Singh ‘Bali Ji’ on the side harmonium. These were recorded by Sardar Karam Singh Ji as well.

Bhai Hariqbal & Kishanpal Singh – Aas Piasi Main Phiron

Bhai Hariqbal & Kishanpal Singh – Ab Mohe Jeevan Padvi Payi (with Katha)

Bhai Hariqbal & Kishanpal Singh – Aise Gur Ko Bal Bal Jaiye

Bhai Hariqbal & Kishanpal Singh – Anand Karo Mil Sundar Nari

Bhai Hariqbal & Kishanpal Singh – Anand Sahib (2nd)

Bhai Hariqbal & Kishanpal Singh – Anand Sahib (3rd – Incomplete)

Bhai Hariqbal & Kishanpal Singh – Anand Sahib (4th)

Bhai Hariqbal & Kishanpal Singh – Anand Sahib (5th)

Bhai Hariqbal & Kishanpal Singh – Anand Sahib

Bhai Hariqbal & Kishanpal Singh – Ant Ki Baar

Bhai Hariqbal & Kishanpal Singh – Apne Satgur Ke Balharey (with Katha)

Bhai Hariqbal & Kishanpal Singh – Asa Di Vaar (complete)