Bhai Santa Singh Ji was an individual of many talents. Not only was he a great Raagi, but he was a master craftsman as well. Some of his works can still be seen at numerous Gurdwaras today. Bhai Santa Singh Ji was born in the village of Gulalipur in Tarn Taran, Amritsar. A city rich in arts and culture, Amritsar has always been home to some of the most talented musicians. Having being exposed to Kirtan in Raags from a young age, Bhai Santa Singh Ji developed a great interest in music and came under the guidance of many renowned personalities in the field of Gurmat Sangeet and Hindustani classical music. He learned Kirtan from Bhai Budh Singh Taan, Giani Gian Singh Almast and Bhai Gurmukh Singh Fakkar. Additionally, he also received training from various exponents of classical music such as Ustad Nawab Deen Sudha, Pandit Nathu Ram, Ustad Tawakkul Hussain Khan and Maskin Ali.
Bhai Santa Singh Ji spent some time accompanying Sant Sujan Singh Ji on the Dilruba. He was a great admirer of the Rababi tradition of Kirtan and enjoyed listening to the renowned Rababis of Amritsar such as Bhai Chand, Bhai Lal, Bhai Santu, Bhai Mela Baksh, Bhai Taaba and Bhai Sadookha. Bhai Santa Singh Ji incorporated a bit of their style into his Kirtan, such as the delivery of ‘Parmaans’. He also had a flair for ‘Vyakhya’. He sought the guidance of knowledgeable individuals like Sant Amir Singh Ji ‘Sato wali gali wale’, Sant Nihchal Singh Ji and Sant Gareeb Singh Ji, who explained the deeper meanings of Gurbani to him. Alongside his studies of Gurbani, he explored other Sikh scriptures, and also holy scriptures of various faiths such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Quran. While delivering ‘Katha’ he would provide examples from these texts as well which related to the Shabad being sung. Bhai Santa Singh Ji was adept in many instruments including the harmonium, violin, banjo and Dilruba, which he would use in his Kirtan.
Within the state of Punjab, Bhai Santa Singh Ji mainly served as Hazoori Raagi in Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, and Gurdwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib. He also served in several Gurdwaras outside of Punjab, such as Gurdwara Sees Ganj Sahib in Delhi, Gurdwara Paonta Sahib and Gurdwara Tap Asthan Pakki Sangat at Allahabad. He has also toured Kenya, Malaysia, Singapore and Afghanistan for Kirtan. One fascinating bit of information is his service in the military for 5 years. During World War 2, he was stationed in Burma (Myanmar) to fight against the invading Japanese army.
Apart from earning a living through Kirtan, Bhai Santa Singh Ji also worked as an artisan. One of his many projects was installing the dome for the Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) in Amritsar. He also installed the dome at Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib, Ambala and did some interior decorative work for the Gurdwara Sahib in Yamuna Nagar.
From Amritsar, Bhai Santa Singh Ji moved to Yamuna Nagar, Haryana with his family, where he spent most of his time. He imparted his knowledge to his sons, and they accompanied him on Kirtan tours. His son, Balbir Singh spent most of his time learning Kirtan from him and still follows the same way of Kirtan and Gurbani. Currently he resides in Perth, Australia and does Kirtan in Raags and follows in his father’s footsteps. Bhai Santa Singh Ji’s eldest son, Harbans Singh works as a contractor, while his other sons, Darshan Singh and Harvinder Singh are Kirtanis themselves. Darshan Singh Ji has completed his Masters of Arts in ‘tabla’ and teaches at the Government College of Dera Bassi. Harvinder Singh also completed his Masters of Arts in vocal music and worked as a music lecturer at Chandigarh Government college.
The information above was translated from an issue of Amrit Kirtan, written and edited by Dr. Jagir Singh Ji. If anyone has more recordings of Bhai Santa Singh Ji to share, please contact us.
Shabads from the album ‘Sabhe Ji Samaal Apni Mehar Kar’. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save link as’ to download audio files. Enjoy!
Bhai Santa Singh (Yamuna Nagar) – 01 Waheguru Waheguru Waheguru Wahe Jio
Bhai Santa Singh (Yamuna Nagar) – 02 Raj Leela Terai Naam Banai
Bhai Santa Singh (Yamuna Nagar) – 03 Sabhe Ji Samaal Apni Mehar Kar
Shabads from the album ‘Sukh Sehaj Anand Ghana’.
Bhai Santa Singh (Yamuna Nagar) – 01 Raam Kaho Chit Laye
Bhai Santa Singh (Yamuna Nagar) – 02 Sukh Sehaj Anand Ghana
Bhai Santa Singh (Yamuna Nagar) – 03 Mahima Sadhu Sang Ki Suno Mere Meeta
Bhai Santa Singh (Yamuna Nagar) – 04 Hum Santan Ki Rein Pyare