Giani Gurcharan Singh Ji was born on 10th May 1933, in the village of Sarwarpur, district Sangrur of pre-partition Punjab. He was born to Bibi Jaswant Kaur and Sardar Babu Singh, and was accompanied by a sister.
His musical journey began under his grandfather’s guidance from whom he learned the basics of musical theory. His yearn for a better understanding of classical music led him to become a disciple of the legendary Ustad Akhtar Hussain Khan of Patiala Gharana, father of renowned duo, Ustad Amanat Ali Khan and Ustad Fateh Ali Khan.
Driven by a passion for Kirtan, he also went on to further his knowledge from Prof. Darshan Singh Komal, who was a disciple of the famous Rababi, Bhai Sain Ditta Ji. Upon completing his training, he started off as a harmonium accompanist to Bhai Dharam Singh Zakhmi. Giani Gurcharan Singh Ji performed Kirtan extensively in India including border army posts and in Delhi Gurdwaras, especially in Gurdwara Sees Ganj Sahib with the ‘jatha’ of Bhai Dharam Singh Zakhmi. Economic challenges in India led to Kirtan tours in Malaysia and Thailand during which he accompanied the ‘jatha’ of one Giani Inderjeet Singh. He also spent some time serving at Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Thar, Mumbai. Due to his amazing classical talent, he was invited for playback singing by notable Bollywood composers such as Naushad, but his passion for Gurbani was stronger, and he wanted a more meaningful life, so he chose to serve the Sikh Sangat with Kirtan.
In the 1960s, an opportunity in Mombasa, Kenya, marked a significant chapter. His service extended to Nakuru and Nairobi before relocating to the UK in 1988. While in Kenya, he traveled extensively within the country for Kirtan and also to neighbouring countries such as Kampala, Uganda.
Giani Gurcharan Singh Ji was fluent in Urdu, Punjabi, and Hindi. His family has held on to several diaries written in Urdu, detailing Raags and compositions. Beyond music, his interests included culinary pleasures, carom, and in his later years, recitations from Guru Granth Sahib Ji at his home in Slough. Giani Gurcharan Singh Ji’s commitment to sharing musical knowledge was unwavering, offering it freely to those interested. He had several disciples of different faiths who learned not only music, but Kirtan and humanitarian spiritual development.
Married to Bibi Gurmit Kaur Ji, sister to Bhai Dharam Singh Zakhmi, they left a legacy through five children; four sons and a daughter. The eldest among their children, Kamaljeet Kaur, resides in Sunam, Punjab. Sadly, Kirpal Singh, one of his sons, has passed away. His surviving sons, Jatinder Singh, Bhupinder Singh, and Harpal Singh, are currently based in Boston, California, and the UK, respectively.
Giani Gurcharan Singh Ji left for his eternal abode in mid-November 2023.
If anyone has more recordings or photos of Giani Gurcharan Singh Ji, please contact us.
The recordings below were done by Sardar Avtar Singh Ji in Nairobi, Kenya. These were kindly contributed by Sardar Sarabjit Singh Sembhi. Please visit his YouTube channel ‘Sardar Sehmbi Saab’ for more recordings. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save link as’ to download audio files. Enjoy!
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – Aarti
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – Asa Di Vaar in Nairobi, Kenya
The next two recordings are also courtesy of Sardar Sarabjit Singh Sembhi. These were recorded at Juja Road Gurdwara, Nairobi, Kenya in 1970s.
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – Poojho Ram Ek Hi Deva (Shivranjani)
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – Teri Bukal De Vich Yaar (Qawali ang)
The recordings below are also from a Kirtan program in Kenya in 1973. These were kindly contributed by Bhai Harbans Singh Suraj.
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 01 Main Nahi Prabh Sabh Kich Tera
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 02 Tu Sabhni Thaee Jithe Houn Jaee
The recordings below are from two cassettes which were kindly contributed by Veer Sukhi Rayat from Hitchin, UK.
Tape 1 – Rain Sabhaee in Slough, UK
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 01 Mohan Praan Maan Rangila (Rajeshwari)
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 02 Tu Sabhni Thaee Jithe Houn Jaee
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 03 Ram Rang Kade Utar Na Jaaye
Tape 2
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 01 Jai Jai Jag Kaaran (Malkauns)
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 02 Sevi Satgur Apna Har Simree Din Sabh Ren
The recordings below are from the album “Pir Dekhan Ki Aas’.
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 01 Satgur Aayo Saran
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 02 Satgur Nanak Paragetya
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 03 Tu Thakur Tum Peh Ardas
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 04 Vadde Mere Sahiba
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 05 Awal Allah Noor Upaaya
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 06 Eh Duey Naina Mat Chhooho
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 07 Inhee Ki Kirpa Ke
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 08 Mitar Piare Nu
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 09 Re Man Mere Sada Har Jaap
*New Recordings Added – 18th July 2025
The recordings below were kindly contributed by Sardar Nachatar Singh Sahota.
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 01 Houn Vari Vanjha Gholi Vanjha (Bilawal)
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 02 Tu Dariyao Daana Beena
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 03 Teri Bukal De Vich (Dharmak Kavta)
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 04 Jai Jai Jag Kaaran
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 05 Judh Ke Jitaeyaa
The Shabad below was recorded in Kenya in the 1970s. Recording courtesy of Bhai Harbans Singh Suraj.
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – Awwal Allah Noor Upaaya
The following recordings from were kindly contributed by Giani Gurcharan Singh Ji’s son, Sardar Bhupinder Singh.
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – Aavo Meet Piare Mangal Gaavo Naare
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – Assi Khatey Bahut Kamaavade (Kalyan)
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – Man Anand Bhayaa Prabh (Darbari)
The following batch of recordings were recorded in Kenya. These were kindly contributed by Sardar Sarabjit Singh Sembhi. Please visit his YouTube channel ‘Sardar Sehmbi Saab’ for more recordings.
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – Maan Karaho Tudh Oopare
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – Raaj Leela Tere Naam Banaee (Kedara)
The recordings below feature Bhai Sital Singh Sitara accompanying Giani Ji.
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) & Sitara Ji – Man Shaant Aayi (Abhogi Kanra)
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) & Sitara Ji – Mere Sahib Tu Main Maan Nimani
Kirtan recorded by Sardar Kuldip Singh Roopra in Nairobi, Kenya 1970.
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 01 Thir Ghar Beso Har Jan Piare (Madhuvanti)
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 02 Tum Ghar Aavo Mere Meet
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 03 Baee Pahari Raaje (Dharmak Kavta)
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 04 Nasro Mansoor Gur Gobind Singh
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 05 Gur Ka Darshan & Dharmak Kavta
The recordings below were recorded by Master Jagjit Singh Grewal and kindly provided by Sardar Sarabjit Singh Sembhi.
Kirtan at Gurdwara Makindu, Kenya on 27th December 1971
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – Deh Shiva Bar Moh Ehai
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – Inhee Ki Kirpa Ke Saje Hum Hain
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – Jou Tou Prem Khelan Ka Chao (Malkauns)
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – Rab Deya Bandeyan Ton (Kavta)
Kirtan in Nairobi, Kenya on 24th December 1971
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 01 Tahee Parkash Hamara Bhayo (Gujri)
Giani Gurcharan Singh (Kenya) – 02 Main Hoon Param Purakh Ko Daasa
Amazing research to capture Giani Gurcharan Singh Ji’s life history. The Raagi Kirtaneya of this generation had great training. Their Kirtan recital was solely for Guru Ji and Waheguru Ji’s Blessings.
Thanks for recording, documenting and sharing these wonderful Gems bringing some precious memories back in our lives.
Amazing dedication to Kiran sewa by Giani Gurcharan Singh ji.
Sant Singh
Waheguru bless his soul with eternal salvation. He would always say he will continue Kirtan in heaven in the presence of gurus and bhagats and shaheeds and bhai Mardana and our rababi ancestors. We, his children and disciples, were fortunate to learn from him, though not enough to benefit fully from his vast knowledge. We are carrying forward the kirtan energy with Waheguru’s and sangat’s blessings. “Bhalo bhalo re kirtanya”. Satnam waheguru
Waheguruji blessed his soul with classical Gurbani knowledge on it’s yatara on earth. We children are blessed to have learned from him. Mum played a vital role in supporting dad in Kirtan and
all the family members to where we all stand today. May all his Kirtan treasure be shared and listened to by Sangat all over the world. May Waheguruji bless both souls in enteral peace . Joti Jot Ralee Sanpooran Theeaa Ram .
Waheguruji Satnamji
Thanks to all sewadars who are doing this amazing work of capturing all Puratan Kirtan.
Fantastic recordings shared of a most wonderful kirtanee. May his family be blessed to continue these traditions.