Bhai Surjan Singh

One of the most popular Raagi jathas of all time would be the jatha of Bhai Surjan Singh Ji whose set of Asa Di Vaar records remain one of the best selling after more than 50 years. Bhai Surjan Singh Ji was born in the village of Naushera near Tarn Taran in 1911. He was visually disabled, but it is unclear if he was born without sight or he lost it due to an illness. However, he did not allow this to limit his achievements in any way. As we commonly hear, when we lose one sense, our body has ways of heightening other senses and skills. Bhai Surjan Singh Ji was blessed with a very melodious voice and an amazing memory.

As a young boy, he used to be awed by one Raagi by the name of Takhat Singh (Khadak Singh) from Tarn Taran. He used to travel to Tarn Taran often just to listen to Bhai Takhat Singh Ji with the hopes of singing like him constantly playing on his mind. He went on to learn music at the Central Khalsa Orphanage in Amritsar under the guidance of renowned master of Gurmat Sangeet, Bhai Sain Ditta Ji who also taught Kirtan to Bhai Santa Singh Ji and Prof. Darshan Singh Ji Komal. When Bhai Santa Singh Ji formed his jatha initially, Bhai Surjan Singh Ji used to accompany him on the side harmonium. However, when Bhai Santa Singh Ji’s brothers completed their training and joined him, Bhai Surjan Singh Ji formed his own jatha.

Although Bhai Surjan Singh Ji had been formally trained in the Gurmat Sangeet tradition, he developed his own style which was somewhat more simple and this style resonated to the general public who did not have much knowledge regarding Gurmat Sangeet. When asked by one of his close friends, Prof. S.S. Amol “How is it that you have this power in your Kirtan that allows you to grip the attention of the listener?”, Bhai Sahib answered “Honestly speaking, I used to perform Kirtan in Tarn Taran and at that time I listened to many great Raagis and people also listened to me. Everyone used to compliment me but deep down I was not feeling satisfied with myself. One morning at around 1 a.m., I sat in front of the door of the Darbar Sahib and cried for half an hour. After doing so, I bowed my head and did an Ardas requesting Guru Arjan Dev Ji to bless me with the ability to perform Kirtan in a way that would please Him. I have no idea what happened next, but that morning when I performed Kirtan, there was a whole different vibration to it.”

One of the members of his jatha was Bhai Arjan Singh Ji Matharu who accompanied him on the side harmonium and another was Bhai Prem Singh Ji who provided tabla accompaniment. This was the jatha that got recorded in the Asa Di Vaar album. According to Bhai Arjan Singh Ji, this album was recorded in two sessions. There were many other albums of Bhai Surjan Singh Ji as well that were released by various recording companies such as ‘His Master’s Voice’ and ‘The Twin’. Some other notable members of his jatha at various points in time include Bhai Kalyan Singh Ji, Bhai Vishan Shah Ji and Bhai Asra Singh Ji Sindhi.

Aside from being an amazing Raagi, Bhai Surjan Singh Ji also led a very saintly lifestyle. His mind was always attached to ‘Naam Simran’. Coming back to his astonishing memory, he was able to recite Akal Ustat and Bachitar Natak by heart. It is said that he would wake up every morning at 2 a.m. to perform his daily Nitnem. He would then go on to recite the Shabads that he had memorised in a loud voice so that it would be deeply embedded in his mind.

Bhai Surjan Singh Ji settled in Delhi following the division of Punjab. One day in 1965, he traveled to Jalandhar to perform Kirtan at the residence of Sardar Dilbagh Singh and he passed away there leaving behind three daughters and one son, Sardar Avtar Singh who works in a bank in Delhi. The information above was obtained from the book ‘Punjab De Parsidh Raagi Rababi’ written by Sardar Balbir Singh Kanwal. If anyone has more recordings of Bhai Surjan Singh Ji, please contact us.

The following recordings include live Kirtan programs and also those released by various recording companies. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save link as’ to download audio files. Enjoy!

Bhai Surjan Singh – 01 Kya Jana Kya Hoega Ree Maayi

Bhai Surjan Singh – 02 Aad Waheguru Jugaad Waheguru

Bhai Surjan Singh – 03 Aapay Boh Bidh Rangla Sakhiye Mera Lal

Bhai Surjan Singh – 04 Bhai Re Meet Karoh Prabh Soaiy

Bhai Surjan Singh – 05 Gur Sundar Mohan Paaiy

Bhai Surjan Singh – 06 Har Jeo Nimaania Tu Maan

Bhai Surjan Singh – 07 Har Jas Rey Manaa Gaaiye Ley

Bhai Surjan Singh – 08 Haun Tumri Karo Nit Aas 1

Bhai Surjan Singh – 09 Haun Tumri Karo Nit Aas 2

Bhai Surjan Singh – 10 Inhee Ke Kirpa Ke Sajay Hum Hain

Bhai Surjan Singh – 11 Jo Maangey Thakur Apne Tey

Bhai Surjan Singh – 12 Kya Jaana Kya Hoega Ree Maee

Bhai Surjan Singh – 13 Kin Bidh Heearay Dheereiy

Bhai Surjan Singh – 14 Meet Kare Soi Hum Maana

Bhai Surjan Singh – 15 Nirjur Niroop Ho Ke Sundar Saroop

Bhai Surjan Singh – 16 Prabh Mohe Kab Gal Laavengey (Incomplete)

Bhai Surjan Singh – 17 Rajan Ke Raja Maharajan Ke Maharaja

Bhai Surjan Singh – 18 Raati Jaaye Sune Gurbani

Bhai Surjan Singh – 19 Saach Kaho Sun Leho Sabhay Part 1

Bhai Surjan Singh – 20 Saach Kaho Sun Leho Sabhay Part 2

Bhai Surjan Singh – 21 Sadho Gobind Ke Gun Gaavo

Bhai Surjan Singh – 22 Sadho Rachna Ram Banayee

Bhai Surjan Singh – 23 Syam Sundar Taj Neend Kyon Aayi Part 1

Bhai Surjan Singh – 24 Syam Sundar Taj Neend Kyon Aayi Part 2

Bhai Surjan Singh – 25 Tu Mera Pita Tu Hai Mera Maata

Bhai Surjan Singh – 26 Vaho Vaho Gobind Singh Aape Gur Chela

Bhai Surjan Singh – 27 Vaho Vaho Gobind Singh Aape Gur Chela 2

Bhai Surjan Singh – 28 Tu Mera Pita Tu Hai Mera Maata

Bhai Surjan Singh – 29 Hao Tumri Karao Nit Aas

Bhai Surjan Singh – 30 Mitar Piare Nu Haal Mureeda Da Kehna

Bhai Surjan Singh – 31 Kis Hee Koi Koye

Bhai Surjan Singh – 32 Baali Rovey Nahi Bhataar

Bhai Surjan Singh – 33 Ghol Ghumayee Laalna

Bhai Surjan Singh – 34 Jal Te Thal Kar Thal Te Kuaa

Bhai Surjan Singh – 35 Jo Maangey Thakur Apne Te

Bhai Surjan Singh – 36 Maee Mohey Pritam De Milaee

Bhai Surjan Singh – 37 Main Prem Na Chakheya Mere Piare

Bhai Surjan Singh – 38 Mil Mere Preetma Jio

Bhai Surjan Singh – 39 Mohe Anaath Gareeb Nimaani

Bhai Surjan Singh – 40 Prabh Jee Tu Mere Praan Adhare

Bhai Surjan Singh – 41 Ram Rang Kadey Utar Na Jayee

Bhai Surjan Singh – 42 Sabh Shrisht Sevey Din Raat Jeeo

Bhai Surjan Singh – 43 Tu Chau Sajan Mendeya

Bhai Surjan Singh – 44 Assee Khatey Bahut Kamaavdey

Bhai Surjan Singh – 45 Vin Boleya Sabh Kich Jaanda

Bhai Surjan Singh – 46 Jo Mange Thakur Apne Te

Bhai Surjan Singh – 47 Asa Di Vaar