Bhai Utam Singh Hakim was one of the earliest recorded artists by the Gramophone Company. In the early days of the recording industry, the Gramophone Company had allowed individuals to set up music agencies in some of the larger cities. In this manner, one Lal Singh had also set up an agency in Hall Bazaar, Amritsar. He made a good amount of money and once he had around 5000 Rs. saved up, instead of settling the account with the Gramophone Company, he ran off to Japan. How this relates to Bhai Utam Singh Ji is that he also worked in Lal Singh’s music agency and he was afraid that the Gramophone Company would come after him for the unsettled tabs. As he was not very well to do, Bhai Utam Singh Ji approached Bhai Vir Singh Ji who then wrote a lengthy letter to the Gramophone Company requesting them to transfer ownership of the agency to Bhai Utam Singh Ji who was a very hardworking individual. With that, Bhai Utam Singh Ji also became the owner of this agency and he released many records. Between 1906 and 1907, he must have released at least 20 records if not more. Bhai Utam Singh Hakim also recorded the very first Ardas in 1904 and in 1910 he released an Asa Ki Vaar set as well. Bhai Utam Singh Ji passed away some time before 1929. The above information was taken from the very informative book by Sardar Balbir Singh Kanwal, ‘Punjab De Parsidh Raagi Rababi’. If anyone has more recordings of Bhai Utam Singh Hakim, please contact us.
The two Shabads below are from one of his records released by the Gramophone Company. I also have the record of his Ardas but that will be uploaded later as I am waiting to get a new record player to digitise it. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save as’ to download audio files. Enjoy!
Bhai Utam Singh Hakim – Jion Jaano Tion Taar (Asa-Chanchal)
Bhai Utam Singh Hakim – Main Andhuley Ki Tek (Asa-Dadra)
The following recordings are of his Asa Ki Vaar recorded in 1910. Unfortunately, this is not complete. If anyone has the complete recording, please contact us. These were contributed by Bhai Harbans Singh Suraj (UK).
Bhai Utam Singh Hakim – Asa Ki Vaar Part 01
Bhai Utam Singh Hakim – Asa Ki Vaar Part 02
Bhai Utam Singh Hakim – Asa Ki Vaar Part 07
Bhai Utam Singh Hakim – Asa Ki Vaar Part 08
Bhai Utam Singh Hakim – Asa Ki Vaar Part 09
Bhai Utam Singh Hakim – Asa Ki Vaar Part 10
Bhai Utam Singh Hakim – Asa Ki Vaar Part 11
Bhai Utam Singh Hakim – Asa Ki Vaar Part 12
Bhai Utam Singh Hakim – Asa Ki Vaar Part 15
Bhai Utam Singh Hakim – Asa Ki Vaar Part 16
Bhai Utam Singh Hakim – Asa Ki Vaar Part 17
Bhai Utam Singh Hakim – Asa Ki Vaar Part 18
Waheguru Amazing .. Thanks so much Jee🙏