Master Surjit Singh Dardi (Kanpur)

Master Surjit Singh Ji, better known as ‘Dardi Ji’ led a very exemplary life. He followed the path laid out by Guruji very closely by performing selfless acts of service. He was also imbued by Naam. Every morning he would recite ‘Asa Ki Vaar’ along with his daily Nitnem, and at night he could be heard doing Simran in a loud voice.

Master Surjit Singh Ji was born into the home of Sukh Dayal Khera on 12^th February 1930 in the town of Gojra Mandi near Lyallpur (now renamed to Faisalabad in Pakistan). He began to learn Kirtan from the Granthi in the local Gurdwara and his first performance on stage was at the age of 8. After the partition of Punjab, he remained in the company of Sant Nehchal Singh Ji of Jagadhari from whom he learned the ‘Katha’ of Gur Partap Suraj Granth and various other historical texts. Although Master Surjit Singh Ji was visually impaired, he never let this become a hindrance to his journey. Dardi Ji also learned ‘Shastriya Sangeet’ from Madhav Music College in Lakshar, Gwalior and attained his Master’s degree (Nipun) in music.

In 1956, he was employed as a music teacher in Khalsa High School, Mandi Bahaudin in Indore. Besides teaching, he also performed Kirtan at many of the local Gurdwaras in Indore and has also served as a radio artist in Indore, Shimla, Bhopal and Jalandhar radio stations. Dardi Ji also had a keen interest in poetry (Kavitas). Some of his most popular Kavitas include ‘Guru Hargobind Sahib Ki Arti’, ‘Dashmesh Arti’, ‘Sikhi Da Boota’, ‘Sikhi Di Aajmayish’ and ‘Punjabi Maa’.

One of his main goals in life was to impart the knowledge he had in music to as many Sikh students as he could. One of his most popular students was Bhai Harbans Singh Ji from Jagadhari. Whenever Bhai Harbans Singh came to Kanpur, he would always pay his respects to his teacher. Some of Dardi Ji’s other well-known students include Bhai Rai Singh Ji (Hazoori Raagi Sri Harmandir Sahib), Bhai Mokham Singh (Paonta Sahib), Bhai Baljeet Singh (Lucknow) and Bhai Satpal Singh (currently in service in the United Kingdom).

His other goal was to reach out to as many people as he could about the importance of ‘Amrit’, with the hopes of them following the ‘Hukam’ of our Gurus. He would speak about ‘Amrit’ wherever he went for Kirtan and was involved in many Amrit Sanchar programs such as those in Gurdwara Ranjeet Nagar, Gurdwara Pandu Nagar and Gurdwara Sant Nagar in Kanpur. Between 1978 and 1979, he went for a Kirtan tour to Singapore and conducted an ‘Amrit Sanchar’ during this trip as well. He was accompanied on this trip by Bhai Sant Singh Ji on ‘tabla’ and Bhai Prithipal Singh Ji (Billa Veerji) on the electric guitar.

When he was serving in Gurdwara Ranjeet Nagar, he started the Guru Harkrishan Relief Fund to help blind people who could not afford surgery for their eyes. He also helped those in need from his own earnings. He would provide books, clothes and school fees for poor children. He established the Gurmat Raagi Granthi Sabha and Hemkunt Yatri Jatha for the service of society. In 1984, Gurdwara Shri Guru Harkrishan Sahib, Barra 2 was looted and heavily damaged during the anti-Sikh riots. Dardi Ji managed to collect funds for repairing the damage sustained during the attack. He was also involved in establishing a new building for Gurdwara Guru Harkrishan Sahib, Barra with the help of Shri Guru Singh Sabha situated at Latouch Road, Kanpur.

Out of the 85 years of his life, Master Surjit Singh Dardi performed Kirtan for approximately 75 long years and from that, he served the Sangat of Kanpur for 50 years. Dardi Ji passed away peacefully on 16^th March 2015 leaving behind a legacy of Kirtan and Sewa. His younger brother, Sant Singh Khera has also been touched by Dardi Ji’s life and tries to follow in his brother’s footsteps. Although he has a day job as treasurer in the Reserve Bank of India, he still does Kirtan regularly. A special thanks to Sant Singh Ji Khera for providing the information above. If anyone has more recordings of Master Surjit Singh ‘Dardi Ji’ to share, please contact us.

 

The following recordings are from Master Ji’s tour to Singapore in 1979. He was accompanied by Bhai Sant Singh on ‘tabla’ and Sardar Prithipal Singh (Billa Veerji) on electric guitar. These were recorded by the late Sardar Amir Singh Ji and the cassette was labeled as ‘SSD Vol.1’. If anyone has other volumes from this collection, please get in touch with us. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save link as’ to download audio files. Enjoy!

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – 01 Madho Hum Aise Tu Aisa

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – 02 Sarvar Hans Dhure Hi Mela

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – 03 Kahe Ko Dolat Hai (Gunkali)

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – 04 Kahe Man Tu Dolta

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – 05 Sant Charan Dharo Maathe (Incomplete)

 

*New Recordings Added – 11th July 2021

 

The following Asa Ki Vaar features Dardi Ji with Bhai Kesar Singh accompanying on the side harmonium and Bhai Sant Singh Khera on tabla. Recording courtesy of Dardi Ji’s brother, Bhai Sant Singh Ji. 

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Asa Ki Vaar (Incomplete)

 

The recordings below were also kindly contributed by Bhai Sant Singh Ji. 

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Aiso Sahaee Har Ko Naam

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Bhinni Renarhiye Chamkan Tare

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Gur Jaisa Nahi Ko Dev

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Gur Taar Taaranhareya

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Har Bin Ren Kirtan Gaiye

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Har Charan Saran Gobind

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Har Har Naam Japandeyan

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Haun Kya Salaahi

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Kar Kirpa Melo Ram

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Mere Meet Gurdev

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Na Ko Mera Dushman

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Namo Namo Nate Nate Hai

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Par Ka Bura Na Rakho Cheet

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Raj Na Chahon Mukat Na Chahon

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Sadh Sang Prabh Deo

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Safal Oh Maata

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Sant Jana Mil Bolo Ram

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Satgur Purakh Agamm Hai

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Satgur Sang Nahi Man Dole

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Sukh Meh Baho Sangi Bhaye

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Wadde Mere Sahiba

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Zindagi De Chaar Pahre – Part 1

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Zindagi De Chaar Pahre – Part 2

 

*New Recordings Added – 20th July 2021

 

Another batch of recordings courtesy of Sardar Sant Singh Khera. Accompanying Dardi Ji in these recordings are Sardar Sant Singh on side harmonium, Bhai Prakash Singh on tabla and Sardar Daljit Singh ‘Sai’ on Guitar.

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Aaye Mil Gursikh Aaye Mil

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Aisee Preet Gobind Siyon Laagi

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Aisee Preet Karo Mann Mere

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Apne Karam Ki Gat Mai Kya Janoo

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Asa Di Vaar (with Bhai Sant Singh & Prakash Singh on Tabla)

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Baras Megh Ji (Raag Megh)

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Dhan Dhan So Jo Gursikh

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Due Kar Jod Karhon Ardaas 1

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Due Kar Jod Karhon Ardaas 2

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Gursikh Meet Chalo Gur Chaali

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Gursikhan Ki Har Dhoor

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Ik Ghadi Dinas Moko

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Jiare Olha Naam Ka

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Kirpa Karo Deen Ke Daate

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Ram Naam Gun Gaye Le Meeta

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Re Mann Kaun Gat Hoye Hai Teri

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Sabbe Jee Samaal

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Sukhmani Sukh Amrit Prabh Naam

Master Surjit Singh Dardi – Tu Samrath Wadda (Raag Bairagi)