The above photograph was kindly provided by Professor Ranjit Singh Ji and the Bhai Mardana Institute of Music, Los Angeles. The information below regarding Bhai Puran Singh Ji was obtained from the book, ‘Punjab De Parsidh Raagi Rababi’ by author, Balbir Singh Kanwal.
Bhai Puran Singh Ji was counted among the top Raagis of his time and whenever the topic of ‘Puratan Kirtanis’ arises, his name is taken with great respect by connoisseurs of Gurmat Sangeet. One such example is a story narrated by Bhai Shamsher Singh Zakhmi to Sardar Bachittar Singh after a Kirtan program in Birmingham, United Kingdom. According to Bhai Shamsher Singh Zakhmi, when the Indian polymath, Rabindranath Tagore visited Amritsar in 1935, he paid his respects at Harmandir Sahib. Around that time, Bhai Puran Singh Ji served as a Hazoori Raagi in Harmandir Sahib and coincidentally, he was singing ‘Aarti’ during Rabindranath Tagore’s visit. Upon listening to Bhai Puran Singh Ji performing Aarti, Rabindranath Tagore was transfixed and transported to a whole new world of experience. He was totally mesmerized by Bhai Sahib’s Kirtan and later said that his heart was telling him to get up and dance in ecstasy, but seeing that it was against the ‘Maryada’ he did not do so. However, he was enthralled by the beauty of Harmandir Sahib and the atmosphere created by the Kirtanis.
Around 1935, Bhai Puran Singh Ji was extensively recorded by Jienophone Record Co. that was based in Lahore. He released a total of 12 discs of Shabad Kirtan. During this time renowned Rababi, Master Ghulam Haider was working for Jienophone Record Co. and being a master musician, he was very selective about the artists being recorded. Top artists such as Shamshad Begum, Noor Jehan and Lata Mangeshkar were such examples.
According to Sardar Bachittar Singh, Bhai Puran Singh Ji settled in Tarn Taran and lived in Sadar Bazaar. Shiromani Raagi Bhai Balbir Singh Ji is a relative of Bhai Puran Singh Ji and he has stated that besides having a soaring voice for singing, Bhai Puran Singh Ji also had a knack for storytelling and he did wonderful Katha. Bhai Puran Singh Ji passed away in 1974 and his son, Giani Kartar Singh Ji is based in Los Angeles.
If anyone has more recordings of Bhai Puran Singh Ji, please contact us.
The two recordings below are from a 78 r.pm. record from the 1930s. On one of the tracks, popular playback singer Shamshad Begum is accompanying Bhai Puran Singh Ji. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save link as’ to download audio files. Enjoy!
Bhai Puran Singh (Tarn Taran) – 01 Galee Assi Changeeya
Bhai Puran Singh (Tarn Taran) – 02 Har Ki Gat Na (with Shamshad Begum)