Bhai Satnam Singh (Patiala Gharana)

 

Bhai Satnam Singh Ji was known for his command over Raags just as his father before him. His father, Prof. Chet Singh Ji was a classical Kirtaniya who performed regularly at All India Radio (AIR), Jalandhar in the 1950s. Both Bhai Satnam Singh Ji and Prof. Chet Singh Ji were well respected among other Raagis for their talent. Bhai Satnam Singh Ji’s singing style was that of the Patiala Gharana.

Bhai Satnam Singh Ji was born in the year 1945 to Mata Ajit Kaur Ji in the city of Sheikhupura, which is now in Pakistan. He was initiated into music at an early age by his father. One day, when Prof. Chet Singh Ji was doing his daily ‘rehaaz’, a young Satnam Singh Ji was hiding behind the door and listening. His father was practicing Raag Bhatiyar. Once his father had left the room, Satnam Singh Ji entered, uncased the harmonium and started to sing Raag Bhatiyar in the same way he had heard his father sing. Unknown to him, Prof. Chet Singh Ji was standing behind the door and listening the entire time and was very pleased. Prof. Chet Singh Ji asked him if he was interested in learning Kirtan in Raags, to which he replied “Yes, I am very interested in learning”. Bhai Satnam Singh Ji then started practicing Raag Bhatiyar and continued to learn the nuances of classical music from his father. Along with ‘Raag Vidhya’ of various complex Raags such as ‘Raag Basant’, ‘Raag Bahaar’, ‘Raag Lalit’, ‘Raag Maal Shri’, ‘Raag Bhankhaar’, ‘Raag Shri’, ‘Raag Hans Kankni’, ‘Raag Anand Kalyan’ and ‘Raag Dhan Dhaivat’, alongside others, he was also taught to read Gurbani correctly. He had also sung ‘Raag Miya Ki Malhar’ and made it rain many times.

From 1960 to 1966, he accompanied his father in serving Haldwani Singh Sabha Gurdwara and his older brother, Bhai Anoop Singh Ji used to accompany on tabla. It was during this time that they met Baba Harbhajan Singh Ji, who organised the annual Amrit Parchar Samagam in Bazpur, Uttar Pradesh. Baba Harbhajan Singh Ji was mesmerised by Prof. Chet Singh Ji’s Kirtan and became very close to him. Around the same time, Bhai Satnam Singh Ji also met Braham Giani Arjan Singh Ji, with whom Bhai Satnam Singh Ji became dearly attached to. Bhai Satnam Singh Ji joined Giani Ji in the Punjabi Suba movement and in 1962, at the age of 17, spent 6 to 7 months in jail with 30 other freedom fighter Jatha members.

In 1970, he got married to Bibi Mahinder Kaur Ji and they were blessed with 5 children; 3 sons and 2 daughters. Bhai Satnam Singh Ji accompanied his father and older brother, Bhai Anoop Singh Ji to the United Kingdom in 1984. Shortly after their return, in 1986, Prof. Chet Singh Ji passed away. This left Bhai Satnam Singh Ji with the responsibility of the Jatha. He continued to perform Kirtan until the very end of his life, just as he had wished to. He also served as a Granthi and would continue to connect the Sangat to Gurbani through his Kirtan and Katha. He taught Kirtan and Katha to the committee members of the Gurdwara so that they could also be involved. He had the simple principle of not leaving anyone behind. He also had absolute faith in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and wanted everyone to be connected to Waheguru.

He had a very sweet and soft-spoken nature as a result of serving Mahapursh. He would never go back on his word and believed in complete honesty. He was a role model to many and guided all his followers.

Bhai Satnam Singh Ji passed away peacefully while doing Simran on 28th January 2019 in Bazpur, Uttar Pradesh. He will be remembered for his melodious Kirtan and mastery over many Raags. The information regarding Bhai Satnam Singh Ji was provided by his son, Jagmohan Singh Ji. If anyone has more recordings of Bhai Satnam Singh Ji to share, please contact us.

 

The first Shabad sung in Raag Basant is from the Amrit Parchar Samagam organised in Bilaspur in 2001. The other recordings are from Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar in 2000. These were kindly provided by Bhai Jagmohan Singh Ji. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save link as’ to download audio files. Enjoy!

Bhai Satnam Singh (Patiala) – 01 Aaj Hamare Greh Basant (Raag Basant)

Bhai Satnam Singh (Patiala) – 02 Tohi Mohi Mohi Tohi (Sriraag)

Bhai Satnam Singh (Patiala) – 03 Ramdas Sarovar Naate (Raag Bahar)

Bhai Satnam Singh (Patiala) – 04 Dhur Ki Baani Aayi

Bhai Satnam Singh (Patiala) – 05 Houn Vaari Houn Vaarne (Incomplete)

 

The following recording was during an impromptu session at someone’s home in the United Kingdom in 2008.

Bhai Satnam Singh (Patiala) – Mou Laalan Sion (Raag Anand Kalyan)