Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Hazoori Raagi Amritsar)

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa was one of the longest serving Hazoori Raagis of Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar. He was born on 12th April 1952 to Sardar Chanan Singh and Mata Gurdev Kaur in the village of Jandwala Bhimeshah in the Ferozepur district of Punjab. Following the partition of Punjab their family settled in this village for a few years but later on shifted to Lohian Khas. His paternal uncle, Bhai Gurbachan Singh Ji was at one time serving Harmandir Sahib as a Hazoori Raagi and this influenced Bhai Nirmal Singh Ji into following in his footsteps. He enrolled in Shaheed Missionary College in Amritsar and learned Gurmat Sangeet under the guidance of Prof. Avtar Singh Naaz. After graduating in 1976 he served as a music teacher at Gurmat College in Rishikesh from 1977 to 1978. For a short period of time he also taught at Shaheed Sikh Missionary College in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. From 1979 onward, he started serving as a Hazoori Ragi at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar. He started off as a saathi of Bhai Gurmej Singh Ji and in 1987 he formed his own jatha. His jatha consisted of Bhai Darshan Singh on the side harmonium and Bhai Kartar Singh Ji on tabla. Bhai Kartar Singh Ji is the younger brother of renowned artist Ustad Puran Chand Wadali. Their jatha became immensely popular and to date their Asa Di Vaar album is one of the best selling of all times after the Asa Di Vaar of Bhai Surjan Singh Ji. Bhai Nirmal Singh has performed at all five Takhts as well as many historical Gurdwaras all across India. He has also traveled abroad to many countries such as Malaysia, China, USA and more. He was adept at singing in various Raags and Taals and for his services in the  field of arts, Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India in 2009. He was the first Hazoori Ragi of Harmandir Sahib to receive this award.

On a more personal level, we met Bhai Sahib Ji during his first and only visit to Malaysia. During this time he became good friends with my father, Dr. Kernail Singh. Although they never got the opportunity to meet again for approximately 20 years, they kept in touch regularly via phone calls and later on through Whatsapp. When we found out that he was admitted in the hospital and tested positive for the Coronavirus, we tried to call him but there was no answer. Little did we know the next morning we will be receiving the news of him passing away. Bhai Sahib Ji passed away on 2nd April 2020 just a few days shy of his birthday and Vaisakhi. He has gone but will always be remembered through his Kirtan and the memories. As my Dad said, he was a great Raagi and an even greater friend. We hope you will enjoy the Kirtan below. We have only included Bhai Nirmal Singh Ji’s live recordings. If anyone requires his studio recordings please do get in touch with us.

 

The following Shabads were recorded during Bhai Nirmal Singh Ji’s visits to New York in 1989 and 1991. These were recorded and contributed by Sardar Nachatar Singh Sahota. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save as’ to download the audio files. Enjoy!

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Hey Gobind Hey Gopal – Dec-31-1989

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Inhee Ki Kirpa – Dec-31-1989

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Jagat Jog Japey Nisbause (Bhupali) – Oct-06-1989

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Jisda sahib Dhadha Hoye – Oct-06-1989

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Kuta Raj Bahalea – Oct-06-1989

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Man Pardesi Je Thea Sabh Des Parayea – 1991

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Mere Ramrai Tu Santa Ka Sant Tere – Oct-06-1989

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Puta Mata Ki Asses – Oct-06-1989

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Ramdas Sarovar Naate (Thumri Ang) – Dec-31-1989

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Ramdas Sarover Natey – 1991

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Sajan Tere Charan Ki – (Marva) – Oct-06-1989

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Tati Vao Na Lageey – Oct-06-1989

 

The following Asa Ki Vaar is from the Central Gurdwara (Khalsa Jatha) in London. This recording was contributed by Veer Manpaal Singh.

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Asa Ki Vaar at Central Gurdwara (Khalsa Jatha)

 

The following recordings are from his tour to Shanghai. These were recorded in Gurdwara Sahib Shanghai  during the Vaisakhi celebrations in 2015. The Gurdwara has its own Soundcloud page. Please follow their page for more Kirtan recordings https://soundcloud.com/shanghai-gurdwara-sahib

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam Ji

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Hamaarai Eihai Kirpa Keejai

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Inhee Ki Kirpa Ke

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Jap Gobind Gopal Laal

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Jap Man Sadha Sat Nam

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Maadho Sat Sangat Saran Tumaari

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Man Haari Kirsaahni Karni

 

The following recordings are from the celebration of Pehla Prakash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Edinburgh on 31st August 2010.

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – 01 Jihavaa Eaek Kavan Gun Keheeai

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – 02 Kaalee Koeil Thoo Kith Gun Kaalee

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – 03 Dhan Dhann Hamaarae Bhaag

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – 04 Jog Baniaa Thaeraa Keerathan Gaaee

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – 05 Koee Bolai Raam Raam

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – 06 Aadh Sach Jugaadh Sach

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – 07 Anand Sahib

 

The following recordings are from a Kirtan program in Otago Street Gurdwara (Glasgow) on 27th August 2010.

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – 01 Balihaaree Kudharath Vasiaa

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – 02 Bisar Gee Sabh Thaath Paraaee

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – 03 Kaalae Likh N Laekh

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – 04 Vichaar

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – 05 Aisae Logan Sio Kiaa Keheeai

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – 06 Amrit Sar Sifathee Dhaa Ghar

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – 07 Waheguru Simran & Anand Sahib

 

The following recording is from a Kirtan program at Fateh Nagar, New Delhi on 1st Oct 2014.

Bhai Nirmal Singh Ji Khalsa (Amritsar) – Kirtan at Fateh Nagar_New Delhi on 1 Oct 2014

 

The following recordings were obtained from the Gurmat Sangeet Project website http://www.gurmatsangeetproject.com/

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Apne Har Pe Benti Kahiya (Devgandhari – Jhaptaal)

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Jap Gobind Gopal Lal (Ramkali)

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Mohan Ghar Avoh Karon Jodadiya (Basant – Keharwa)

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Sorath Taam Suhavnee (Sorath)

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Uthat Sukhia Baithat Sukhia (Bhairo – Jhaptaal)

 

The following recordings are from various other online sources. Sorry for not being able to give credit as I don’t remember where I received these from.

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Asa Di Vaar

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Jap Gobind Gopal Lal

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Asa Di Vaar at G.S. Rakab Ganj

 

The next two Shabads were contributed by Veer Amanbir Singh, who also helped me with this website. He also has his own Youtube channel called ‘Kirtan Nirmolak Heera’. Please check out his channel at the link below for more recordings.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNPn_8FpWrxYpumk8aEhNVQ

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Narnareh Namaskarang (Raag Ramkali)

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa (Amritsar) – Baras Saras Aagya (Raag Malhar)