Bhai Sher Singh ‘Soorma’ (Hazoori Raagi Amritsar)

 

 

Bhai Sher Singh Ji served as Hazoori Raagi in Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar from 1962 until 1975. Originally from the village of Hassanpur, he was popularly known as ‘Kokri Kalan wale’. This was because he was a student of Ragi Budh Singh from Kokri Kalan, Moga. After retiring from his service in Sri Harmandir Sahib, Bhai Sher Singh Ji continued the legacy of his teacher by moving to Kokri Kalan and teaching Kirtan. According to Giani Kirpal Singh, who was the Head Granthi at Sri Harmandir Sahib during that time, Bhai Sher Singh Ji had memorized a substantial amount of Gurbani and would never repeat a Shabad during a month long duty. He would sing different Shabads everyday and delivered beautiful ‘Parmaans’ during his Kirtan. He was also well versed in the Bani of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and ‘Vaaran’ of Bhai Gurdas Ji. He also did beautiful Katha of Sri Gurpratap Suraj Granth. One of Bhai Sher Singh Ji’s nephews, Surjit Singh lives in the United States after having moved from Nairobi, Kenya and currently serves as a Granthi in one of the Gurdwaras. The information above was obtained from the book ‘Punjab De Parsidh Raagi Rababi’ by Balbir Singh Kanwal. If anyone has a photo or more recordings of Bhai Sher Singh, please contact us.

 

The recordings below were made by Sardar Harcharan Singh from Tanjung Rambutan, Malaysia during his trip to Amritsar in 1973. He had requested permission from the management to record inside Harmandir Sahib and made recordings of Bhai Sher Singh Ji and also of Bhai Hari Singh Ji. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save link as’ to download audio recordings. Enjoy!

Bhai Sher Singh Soorma (Amritsar) – 01 Kusum Basant

Bhai Sher Singh Soorma (Amritsar) – 02 Mere Preetam Kaaran

Bhai Sher Singh Soorma (Amritsar) – 03 Sada Basant Gur Shabad

Bhai Sher Singh Soorma (Amritsar) – 04 Eh Wadhbhaag

Bhai Sher Singh Soorma (Amritsar) – 05 Hukam Mane So Jan