Bhai Manjit Singh Ji hails from the border town of Valtoha in Patti, Amritsar. His mother, a very pious woman, was his guiding hand. She had him learn ‘Paath’ from a very young age and by the time he reached 12, he was taking part in ‘Akhand Paath’ duties regularly. He also developed an interest in music, but like most children of his age, he was inclined to Hindi and Punjabi songs. Hearing him sing, his mother casually said that she will make him into a ‘Raagi’. A mother’s words to her son can be a powerful stimulus.
In 1977, he had gone to Sultanpur Lodhi to take part in an ‘Akhand Paath’ at Gurdwara Ber Sahib. Coincidentally, the manager of Gurdwara Bebe Nanaki was in attendance and heard a very melodious recitation of ‘Paath’ by the 17-year old Manjit Singh. As soon as his role was over, the manager, Sardar Gurdial Singh Atwal, offered him a position as ‘Head Granthi’ at Gurdwara Bebe Nanaki, Sultanpur Lodhi. Bhai Manjit Singh Ji was reluctant at first. He felt that he was inexperienced and knew that a job as ‘Head Granthi’ would include a lot of responsibilities. However, Sardar Gurdial Singh Ji managed to convince him and took him under his wing.
Sardar Gurdial Singh Ji was an aficionado of Kirtan and encouraged Bhai Manjit Singh Ji to learn Kirtan, as he possessed a mellifluous voice. Gurdial Singh Ji even handed over his own harmonium to Bhai Manjit Singh Ji to learn with. At that time, there was a very knowledgeable teacher, Ustad Mohinder Singh Ji who would drop by at Gurdwara Bebe Nanaki. He was a master sitarist and tabla player. Bhai Manjit Singh Ji started to learn music from him and was able to pick up very quickly as he had the opportunity to put what he had learned into practice. Immediately after lessons, Ustad Mohinder Singh would ask him to do Kirtan that evening, and Ustad Ji would accompany him on tabla. He learned from Ustad Mohinder Singh Ji rigorously for about 3 years.
Bhai Manjit Singh Ji was then appointed as a replacement Raagi at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar. He would replace any Raagi on leave, and on one such day, a very seasoned Hazoori Raagi of Harmandir Sahib, Bhai Mohinder Singh ‘Banares Wale’ heard him performing Kirtan. After his duty, Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji approached him in the ‘Parkarma’ and invited him over to his house to discuss a proposition. Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji wanted him to join his ‘jatha’ and serve as a full time Hazoori Raagi. Bhai Manjit Singh Ji was excited at this opportunity and readily agreed. On a side note, Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji was one of the few Raagis who performed Kirtan at Sri Harmandir Sahib using a ‘Dilruba’ at that time.
Not too long after that, Bhai Surjit Singh Ji of Amritsar heard their Kirtan after his return from a tour from Singapore. He befriended Bhai Manjit Singh and requested him to join his ‘jatha’. Eventually, Bhai Manjit Singh joined him and thus began the journey of one of the most popular Raagi ‘jathas’ of that era. Initially, they used to perform Kirtan at Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Sahib. Bhai Manjit Singh Ji suggested to Bhai Surjit Singh Ji that they should do Kirtan at Sri Harmandir Sahib. Being shy in nature, Bhai Surjit Singh Ji was reluctant at first, but eventually agreed. They were appointed as Hazoori Raagis in 1982 and were given 15 days of Asa Di Vaar duty upon joining. Bhai Surjit Singh Ji knew many compositions as he used to accompany the legendary, Bhai Bakshish Singh Ji. Their ‘jatha’ became very popular after those 15 days, and their popularity kept rising. The ‘Head Granthi’ at that time was Giani Sahib Singh Ji and other Raagi ‘jathas’ in service at Sri Harmandir Sahib were Bhai Gurmail Singh, Bhai Gurmej Singh, Bhai Hari Singh, Bhai Jaswant Singh, and Bhai Surinder Singh (Patna Sahib).
Bhai Surjit Singh Ji left the ‘jatha’ in 1987 due to the turmoil in Punjab post-1984. After his departure, Bhai Manjit Singh Ji formed his own ‘jatha’ and continued his service as Hazoori Raagi in Sri Harmandir Sahib. In 1989, he went on a tour to Canada and stayed there for 2 years and in 1991, he received an offer to go to the United States of America. Since then, he has been based in Yuba City, California. He got married and settled down in Yuba City. Bhai Manjit Singh Ji still does Kirtan, but mainly in Yuba City itself. He does Kirtan over the weekends, whenever there is a program. He also has a full time job which keeps him occupied during the week.
If anyone has more recordings of Bhai Manjit Singh Ji to share, please contact us.
The recordings below are from three cassettes which were kindly contributed by Sardar Nachatar Singh Sahota. These are from Bhai Manjit Singh Ji’s tour to Canada between 1989 to 1991. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save link as’ to download audio files. Enjoy!
Shabads from the cassette ‘Amrit Piwoh Sada Chir Jiwoh’.
Bhai Manjit Singh (California) – 01 – Sajan Mainda Rangula
Bhai Manjit Singh (California) – 02 – Amrit Piwoh Sada Chir Jiwoh
Bhai Manjit Singh (California) – 03 – Sun Yaar Hamare Sajan
Bhai Manjit Singh (California) – 04 – Tu Prabh Sabh Tudh Sevde
Bhai Manjit Singh (California) – 05 – Saajna Sant Aao Mere
Bhai Manjit Singh (California) – 06 – Mere Man Mere Man Jap
Bhai Manjit Singh (California) – 07 – Anand Sahib
Shabads from the cassette ‘Har Har Naam Nidhan Hai’.
Bhai Manjit Singh (California) – 01 – Har Har Naam Nidhaan Hai
Bhai Manjit Singh (California) – 02 – Koi Aan Milave
Bhai Manjit Singh (California) – 03 – Guru Guru Guru Jap
Bhai Manjit Singh (California) – 04 – Aape Sewa Laaiyan
Bhai Manjit Singh (California) – 05 – Gursikh Har Bolo Mere Bhai
Bhai Manjit Singh (California) – 06 – Anand Sahib
Shabads from the cassette ‘Khoob Teri Pagri Meethe Tere Bol’.
Bhai Manjit Singh (California) – 01 – Khoob Teri Pagri Meethe Tere Bol
Bhai Manjit Singh (California) – 02 – Har Bin Ren Kirtan Gaiye
Bhai Manjit Singh (California) – 03 – Nirgun Raakh Liya
Bhai Manjit Singh (California) – 04 – Koi Bhala Kaho Pave Bura Kaho