Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi)

Principal Baldev Singh was one of the leading figures in Gurmat Sangeet of his time. He was born on 4th June 1944 in the home of Sardar Teja Singh Ji. He went on to learn Gurmat Sangeet from Professor Rajinder Singh who was the Principal of the Shaheed Sikh Missionary College, Amritsar. He completed his course within 3 years but he continued to hone his skills for many years after graduating to achieve greater heights.  In his interview with ETC Punjabi, Principal Baldev Singh Ji spoke about his daily ‘riyaz’ routine which took up approximately 10 hours a day and he continued this daily 10 hour routine for 10 years.

His first duty as Head Raagi was in 1960 in Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib. Subsequently, Principal Baldev Singh Ji went on to serve Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib Patiala, Sri Tarn Taran Sahib and Mukatsar Sahib for short periods of time. From around 1967 to 1974, he served as Hazoori Raagi in Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar. During that time, Sant Kartar Singh (Bhindra Wale) was running the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Gurmat Sangeet Vidhyala and he requested Bhai Baldev Singh Ji to take on the role of Principal of the Vidhyala which he did for a few years. Principal Baldev Singh Ji finally came to settle in Delhi around 1980 where he served as Head Raagi for many years. During that time he also used to conduct interviews for jathas applying for the position of Hazoori Raagis in the Gurdwaras of Delhi.

Principal Baldev Singh Ji has many awards to his name and the first award he received was in his early teenage years in 1957 where he got second place in a Sikh Educational Conference by Chief Khalsa Diwan, Jalandhar.  In 1962, he won first prize in a Classical Music competition organised by All India Radio. The government of Punjab also awarded him the first Bhai Mardana Award in 1969 during a Samagam held in conjunction with the 500 year Prakash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He was conferred the award of Shiromani Raagi as well in 2001. Unfortunately, due to complications of uncontrolled diabetes, Principal Baldev Singh Ji passed away in January 2006. The above information was condensed from the pages of ‘Gurmat Sangeet De Anmol Ratan’ written by late Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa’. If anyone has more recordings of Principal Baldev Singh Ji, please contact us.

 

The two Shabads below were recorded in 1974 during the annual Samagam in Alwar, Rajasthan organised by Giani Sant Singh Ji Maskeen. These were contributed by Bhai Harbans Singh Suraj (UK). Please ‘right click’ and ‘save as’  to download the files. Enjoy!

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Houn Dhoodendi Sajna (Todi)

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Kavan Gun Praanpat Milau Meri Maee

 

The following recordings are from his visit to USA in 1995. These were contributed by Sardar Nachatar Singh Sahota.

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Aisee Lal Tujh Bin Kawan Karey (1995)

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Denan Ki Pritpal Karey Nit (1995) Raag Jaijavanti

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Hamri Jaat Paat Gur Satgur (1995)

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Haun Vari Mukh Fer Piarey ( 1995)

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Jau To Prem Khelan Ka Chao (1995) Raag Sarang

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Mere Ram Har Jan Ke Haun Bal Jayee (1995) Inc

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Rakh Prabhu Bhaven Maar (1995)

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Rakha Ek Hamara Sawami (1995) Raag Bhairo

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Sajjan Sawami Mora (1995) Raag Bairagi

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Satgur Darshan Dhan Hey (1995)

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Sayeen Mujh Meh Kya Khtaa (1995)

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Sun Nah Prabh Jio (1995) Raag Gunkali

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Tohi Mohi Antar Kaisa (1995)

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Uthey Amrit Vandea (1995)

 

The following recordings were contributed by Pertahp Singh Tuli from Toronto, Canada. Pertahp Singh also runs the SikhVibes page on Soundcloud. Please follow his page at the following link for more wonderful recordings https://soundcloud.com/sikhvibes

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 01 Sun Sajan Prem Sandesra (Bairagi)

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 02 Awoh Sajna Houn Dekha

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 03 Laavan

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 04 Mere Laalan Ki Sobha (Kalyan)

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 05 Waho Waho Bani Nirankar Hai

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 06 Sabh Dhan Kaho Gur Satguru

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 07 Gur Poore Ki Bani

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 08 Kirtan Semapti

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 09 Alaap in Raag Marwa (Sajan Ghar Aaye)

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 10 Har Ke Naam Bina Dukh Paave (Kalyan)

 

The following Shabads are from the album ‘Houn Vaari Mukh Pher Piare’ released by Amrit Vani.

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Gyani Har Bolo Din Raat

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Houn Vaari Mukh Pher Piare

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Jaan Ke Simran Sabh Kich

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Sabhey Ichan Pooriyan

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Santan Ko Mat Koi Nindo

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Tooti Gandhanhaar Gopal

 

The following Shabads are from the album ‘Kamliye Bahar Kya Dhoondhe’ released by Amrit Vani.

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Antar Kaisa Antar Kaisa

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Kamliye Bahar Kya Dhoondhe

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Main Man Chao Ghana

 

The following Shabads are from the album ‘Satgur Moorat Kou Bal Jaon’ released by Amrit Vani.

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Houn Maango Santan Rena

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Koi Jan Har Sion Deve Jor

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Man Na Rahe Kaise Milo Piare

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Satgur Moorat Kou Bal Jaon

 

The following recordings are from his Kirtan at Jawaddi Kalan during the annual Adutti Gurmat Sangeet Samelan.

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Deva Pahan Tareeale (Gauri Cheti)

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Ghol Ghumai Laalna (Tukhari)

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Har Ji Mata Har Ji Pita (Maru Dakhni)

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Rasna Gun Gopal Nid Gaeyan (Todi)

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Sabai Ghat Ram Bole (Maligaurha)

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Tain Sahib Ki Main Saar Na Jan

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Tohi Mohi Mohi Tohi (Sriraag)

 

The following recordings were obtained from various online sources.

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Asa Di Vaar Part 1

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Asa Di Vaar Part 2

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Asa Di Vaar Part 3

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Basant Rut Aayi

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Bhooli Malini Hai Eho

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Har Har Naam Nidhaan

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Hey Gobind Hey Gopal

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Houn Vaar Vaar Jaon

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Ja Tu Mere Val Hai

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Kabeer Soi Mukh Dhan Hai

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Mere Lalan Ki Sobha

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Naam Maha Ras Pio

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Ram Ram Bol Bol

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Ri Bhai Bedi

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Teri Oopma Tohe

 

*New Recordings Added – 17th June 2021

The following recordings are from his tour to Pune, Maharashtra in 1978. These were recorded and kindly contributed by Sardar Gursev Singh Ji from Waterloo, Ontario. 

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 01 Raam Raam Bol Bol

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 02 Kabir Soee Mukh Dhan Hai

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 03 Houn Vaar Vaar Jao Gur

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 04 Naam Maha Ras Pio

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 05 Hey Gobind Hey Gopal

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 06 Har Har Naam Nidhaan Hai

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 07 Sukh Naahi Re Har

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 08 Sunho Loka Mai Prem Ras

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 09 Raam Simar Raam Simar

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 10 Laal Rangeele Pritam Manmohan

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 11 Kia Gun Tere Saar Smaali

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 12 Raam Simar Raam Simar (Part 2)

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 13 Hey Gobind Hey Gopaal

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 14 Raam Raam Bol Bol

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 15 Man Ki Mat Tiago Har Jan

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 16 Olahno Mai Kahu Na Dio

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 17 Suraj Kiran Milay Jal Ka Jal

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 18 Man Bechay Satgur Ke Paas (Incomplete)

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 19 Kabeer Soee Mukh Dhan Hai

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 20 Houn Vaar Vaar Jao Gur Gopal

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 21 Ja Too Merai Val Hai

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 22 Har Har Naam Nidhaan Hai

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 23 Satgur Bachan Tumare

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 24 Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 25 Naam Maha Ras Pio

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 26 Man Bechai Satgur Kai Paas

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 27 Baani Uchrai Saadh Jan

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – 28 Pyare In Bidh Milan Na

Principal Baldev SIngh (Delhi) – 29 Prab Dori Haath Tumare

 

The Shabad below is a studio recording from 1975.

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Tap Tap Loh Loh Hath Maroro (1975)

 

Shabads from the album ‘Tumri Saran Tumhari Asa’.

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Aisi Lal Tujhe Bin Kaun Kare

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Eko Naam Dhyaye Man Mere

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Jap Man Satnaam

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Neend Kyun Aayi

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Raakh Leho Hum Se Bigri

Principal Baldev Singh (Delhi) – Tumri Saran Tumhari Asa