Giani Darshan Singh Sohal was a celebrated musician and one of the most distinguished names in the field of Gurbani Kirtan. He was born in 1933 at Hoshiarpur district of Punjab into a family that was deeply connected to classical music. Music was introduced into the family by his grandfather, Sant Karam Singh Ji. Giani Darshan Singh Ji’s father, Sant Surain Singh Ji, was a highly regarded scholar of the ‘Vedas’ and Gurbani. He carried on the tradition of music by learning Kirtan and Mridang from the legendary Bhai Samund Singh Ji, who served as Hazoori Raagi in Nankana Sahib.
Giani Darshan Singh Ji was introduced to music from a very young age by his uncle, Sardar Chanchal Singh, who was a student of the Lucknow School of Music. Next, he came under the guidance of renowned maestro of Gwalior Gharana of music, Giani Gian Singh Ji Almast. He trained under the watchful eye of Almast Ji for a period of 17 years, and during this time Almast Ji bestowed upon him many exquisite compositions. Almast Ji held Giani Darshan Singh Ji in very high esteem and referred to him as his favourite disciple.
Giani Darshan Singh Ji served the Sangat of United Kingdom (UK) with Kirtan for several decades, and he also taught Kirtan to many keen students spanning multiple generations. He had a vast repertoire of compositions consisting of many difficult Raags and Taals, which he sang regularly and delighted listeners. Giani Darshan Singh Ji completed his journey in this world and took his last breath in Punjab on 14th November 2019.
Most of the information above was taken from Giani Darshan Singh Ji’s official website, which is not active anymore. A special thanks to ‘GyanKhand’ for saving the information about Giani Ji and providing it to us. If anyone has more recordings of Giani Darshan Singh Sohal, please contact us.
These two recordings are from a Kirtan Darbar held in Southall (UK) on 28th August 1977. These recordings were contributed by Sardar Nachatar Singh Sahota. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save as’ to download audio files. Enjoy!
Bhai Darshan Singh Sohal – 01 Soyee Satgur Simaro
Bhai Darshan Singh Sohal – 02 Mere Man Andin (Incomplete)
The following recordings were contributed by Pertahp Singh Tuli from Toronto, Canada. Pertahp Singh also runs the ‘SikhVibes’ page on Soundcloud.
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Aagai Sukh Paachhai Sukh Sahajaa (31.12.94)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Bikhai Ban Feekaa Tiaag Ree Sakhee (31.12.94)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Chojee Mere Govindhaa
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Dhan Dhan Dhan Jan Aaiaa (31.12.94)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Dhan Dhan Dhan Jan Aaiaa
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Dheen Binau Sun Dhiaa (31.12.94)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Gurbaanee Gaaveh Bhaiee (31.12.94)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – He Rasanaa Jap Gobindho (Inc – 31.12.94)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Jap Man Mere Govindh Kee Baanee (31.12.94)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Jo Maageh Thaakur Apune Te (31.12.89)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Lakh Khuseeaa Paatisaaheeaa (31.12.89)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Mere Man Raam Naam Nit Gaaveeaai Re (31.12.94)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Mere Saahibaa Tere Choj Viddaanaa
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Moh Na Bisaarahu Mai Jan Teraa
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Nimakh Na Bisarau Tum Kau Har Har (31.12.89)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Paramesar Dhitaa Banaa (31.12.89)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Praanee Param Purakh Pag Laago
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Prabh Jee Too Mero Sukhadhaataa
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Prabh Jeeau Pekhau Dharas Tumaaraa (31.12.94)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Prabh Pooree Loch Hamaaree (31.12.89)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Re Man Aaiso Kar Saniaasaa
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Thaakur Tujh Bin Aaeh Na Moraa
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Tujh Bin Kavan Hamaaraa
The next batch of recordings were contributed by Bhai Harbans Singh Suraj and these are also hosted at the ‘Gurmat Sangeet Project’ website . Please visit their website for more treasures of Gurmat Sangeet.
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Agam Anant Anad Aad Jis Koyee Na
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Anand Sahib (Bageshri Bahar)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Anand Sahib (Guldasta)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Basant Rut Aayee (Basant)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Bin Kartar Na Kirtam Mano (Yaman)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Dhan Dhan Ramdas Gur
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Dhann So Dess Jahaan Tu Vasiya
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Dheero Dekh Tumhare Ranga (Hameer)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Garib Naawaz Na Doosar To So
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Gur Satgur Ka Jo Sikh Akhave
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Har Kirtan Sune
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Is Man Ko Basant Ki Lagai Na Soe (Guldasta Basant)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Mouli Dharti Mouliya Akasah (Basanti Kedar)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Nasro Manssor Gur Gobind Singh
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Pahal Basantai Agaman
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Pir Dekhan Ki Aas (Hameer)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Prabh Poori Loch Hamari (Bhairavi)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Rakho Rakhanhar Dyala
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Sabadai Sada Basant Hai (Basant)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Santa Ke Karaj Aap (Asavari)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Sun Sakheeyay Meri Neend Bhalee (Bihagra)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Sun Vadhbhagiya Har Amrit Bani Ram (Bihagra)
The following recordings are from a Gurmat Sangeet Darbar held between 18th and 20th of May 2012 in memory of Bhai Samund Singh Ji. These recordings were obtained from the ‘Gurmat Sangeet Project’ website. A special thanks to Veer Sarabpreet Singh for recording these.
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Anand Sahib (Adana Bahar)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Har Jan Rakha Gur Gobind
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Har Ke Naam Ke Vyapari
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Prabh Ju Tou Kehe Laaj Haamri
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Prabh Mero It Ut Sada Sahaee
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Sada Sada Japiye Har Nam
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Sajna Sant Avoh Mere
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Waheguru Tera Sabh Sadka
The next few recordings are also from the ‘Gurmat Sangeet Project’ website. These are from a Gurmat Sangeet Darbar held in Bridgewater, New Jersey in October 2011.
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Anand Sahib (Bageshri Bahar)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Anand Sahib (Morning)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Ayo Sunan Parhan Ko Bani
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Charan Kamal Sang Lagi Dori
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Chathuraaee Na Chathurabhuj Paaeeai
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Hamari Pyari Amrit Dhari
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Introduction
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Lal Rangile Pritam Man Mohan
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Mere Lalan Ki Sobha
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Pritam Ke Des Kaise
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Sach Kaho Sun Leho Sabai
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Supne Ubhi Bhayee Gahiyo Ki Na Anchala
*New Recordings Added – 2nd October 2020
The recordings below were contributed by Veer Manbir Singh Mand, who uploads Kirtan by Giani Darshan Singh Ji Sohal regularly on his Youtube channel. Please check out his channel ‘Manbir Mand’.
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Asaa Bhi Othei Jaana
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Basant Chadiya Phuli Ban Rayee
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Har Ke Sant Batavho (Raag Gandhari)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Jaag Leho Re Mana Jaag Leho
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Jeewat Jeewat Jeewat Raho
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Kathanch Maata Kathanch Pita (Kanra)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Mohan Ghar Aavo
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Poota Maataa Kee Asees (Gujri)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Prabh Milbe Ko Preet Man Lagi (Almast Ji Bandish)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Pritam Ke Desh Kaise
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Rajan Kon Tumhare Aave
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Ramaiya Hau Barak Tera
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Sajan Sachaa Paathisaahu Sir Saahaan Dhai Saahu
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Sajjan Mainda Chaaiyaa
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Sajna Sant Aao Mere (1st version)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Sajna Sant Aao Mere (2nd version)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Sang Chalat Hai Hum Bhi Chalna
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Sun Sakhiye Meri Neend Bhali
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Thakur Jio Tuharo Parna (Darbari Kanada)
*New Recordings Added – 4th January 2022
Another batch of recordings kindly contributed by Veer Manbir Singh Mand.
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Aaj More Aaye Hain
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Apne Satgur Ke Balihare
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Baras Megh Ji Til Bilam Na Lao
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Hamarey Eh Kirpa Kijey
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Hum Ghar Saajan Aaye
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Kaahe Re Ban Khojan Jaai
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Mere Lalan Ki Sobha
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Preetam Bisar Na Jaaye (Darbari Kanra)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Sa Sewa Kiti Safal Hai
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Sajjan Mere Rangle (Sriraag)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Tera Jan Ram Naam Rang Jaaga (Almast Ji Composition)
The following recordings were obtained from the YouTube channel of Vikhyat Singh and the sound has been cleaned up a little. Please visit his channel ‘Vikhyat Singh’ for recordings of Giani Darshan Singh Ji.
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Aaj Hamare Mangalchaar (Jila Kafi) – longer
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Aaj Hamare Mangalchaar (Jila Kafi) – shorter
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Har Ke Sant Batavahu Maarg
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Pehl Basant Aagman (Basant)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Phooli Banraye (Basant)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Sir Sahan De Sahu (Patdeep)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Tere Gun Gawan (Bilawal – Incomplete)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Teri Upma Tohe Ban Aavay (Hameer)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Thakur Jeeo (Darbari – Incomplete)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Tujh Bin Kaun Kare (Jaijaawanti – Incomplete)
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – Tujh Bin Kavan Hamara
The following Shabads were recorded in London in 1998, and were obtained from the ‘Kirtan Legends’ page on Youtube. Please check out their channel for more rare recordings.
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – 01 Har Kirtan Gaavaho
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – 02 Gur Satgur Ka Jo Sikh
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – 03 Meethe Har Gun Gao
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – 04 Ghat Ghat Naath Anaath
Giani Darshan Singh Sohal – 05 Anand Sahib
Great Raagi Singh .He sang almost always in Choti Teel Taal and Teen Taal
Excellent Raagi , Soshal to Soul
Sohal to Soul