Prof. Chet Singh Ji was born on the 2nd of December 1917 in the Multan region of Punjab, which is now in Pakistan. His father’s name was Sardar Karori Singh Lakhanpal and mother was Bibi Indar Kaur. At the age of 8, he was sent to learn music from Ustad Kesar Singh of Multan. He underwent rigorous training for around 3 years before Ustad Kesar Singh Ji brought him into his jatha. From the age of 11 to 13, he accompanied Ustad Kesar Singh Ji performing Kirtan at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar. This was during the time of Bhai Chand Ji and Bhai Lal Ji. They used to have frequent interaction and sometimes, he was also given the opportunity to accompany them. One of his first trips abroad was to South Africa with Ustad Kesar Singh Ji. Before the partition in 1947, he had also performed Kirtan in other Gurdwaras such as Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib and Panja Sahib. After the division of Punjab, he moved to the town of Apra, Jalandhar. He continued to learn the finer intricacies of music from Pandit Gowardhan Das for about 4 to 5 years. In 1954, he moved to Kashipur, Uttar Pradesh.
Prof. Chet Singh Ji was adept in many rare and complex Raags. His son, Bhai Bharpoor Singh Ji recounts that while growing up, they had a drawing of a tree representing the Raag Bhairav and growing from its trunk were 36 branches, each a variation of Raag Bhairav. Prof. Chet Singh Ji used to give classical performances at the Harballabh Sangeet Samelan regularly. The festival is held in Jalandhar and it is the oldest of its kind. The best artists around the country gather at this festival and it is a great honour to perform here. Besides that, he was also a radio artist with All India Radio (AIR), Jalandhar and was featured regularly. In 1961, he came in first place in a competition organised by Prayag Sangit Samiti, Allahabad and received much praise for his performance from many renowned classical artists. From 1960 to 1966, he served in Haldwani Singh Sabha Gurdwara. It was during this time that he met Baba Harbhajan Singh Ji, who organised the annual Amrit Parchar Samagam in Bhajpur. Baba Harbhajan Singh Ji was mesmerised by Prof. Chet Singh Ji’s Kirtan and became very close to him. He performed at Baba Harbhajan Singh Ji’s Samagam every year from 1960 until 1981.
Prof. Chet Singh Ji taught two of his sons, Bhai Satnam Singh and Bhai Anup Singh from young and they accompanied him on the side harmonium and tabla respectively. Two of his other sons, Bhai Bharpoor Singh Ji and Bhai Ravinder Singh Ji moved to the United Kingdom (UK) and in 1984, Prof. Chet Singh Ji came to the UK with his ‘jatha’ to visit them. They were in the UK for 8 months, and during this time they performed in some of the Gurdwaras in Birmingham, London, Leeds and Wolverhampton. This was around the same time that Bhai Shamsher Singh Zakhmi was on tour with Bhai Mohanpal Singh. In one of the videos of their Kirtan on YouTube, Prof. Chet Singh Ji can be seen sitting in the Sangat. Bhai Mohanpal Singh Ji had approached Prof. Chet Singh Ji to be in their jatha, but at that point of time he had retired from performing due to health issues. Prof. Chet Singh Ji’s Kirtan was admired by many of the top Kirtani jathas such as Bhai Dilbagh Singh & Gulbagh Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh Zakhmi and others. Bhai Amrik Singh Zakhmi once recounted to Prof. Chet Singh Ji’s sons that when he was young, Bhai Dharam Singh Ji used to tell him and his siblings to listen carefully to Prof. Chet Singh Ji’s Kirtan when he was performing. One of his notable students was Bhai Kartar Singh Parwana. Prof. Chet Singh Ji took his last breath on 26th August 1985 and passed away peacefully. If anyone has more recordings of Prof. Chet Singh Ji to share, please contact us.
The recordings below are from the Amrit Parchar Samagam organised by Baba Harbhajan Singh of Bhajpur. The exact year of these recordings is not known, but probably from the 1970s. These were kindly contributed by Bhai Bharpoor Singh Ji and his grandson, Veer Gurdev Singh. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save link as’ to download audio files. Enjoy!
Edit: The previous recordings have been replaced by clearer versions of the same.
Bhai Chet Singh Multan – 01 Na Jaana Hare (Ramkali)
Bhai Chet Singh Multan – 02 Asa Di Vaar Part 1
Bhai Chet Singh Multan – 03 Tu Sabhna Ka Khasam
Bhai Chet Singh Multan – 04 Suhaavi Kaun So Vela
Bhai Chet Singh Multan – 05 Ram Rang Kade Utar Na (Bhairvi)
Bhai Chet Singh Multan – 06 Asa Di Vaar Part 2
Bhai Chet Singh Multan – 07 Ja Ka Meet Saajan Hai Samiyaa
Wah Ji Wah!
Amazing research to provide us so much detailed information about a wonderful Gursikh Raagi. The Raagis in that generation set example as a Kirtaneya and the Gursikh Jeevan of a Raagi for to follow. We can see the high-lighted Raagi’s of our time were inspired by Prof. Chet Singh Ji’s Kirtan.
Also most Kirtaneya had the pretigous title of “Bhai Sahib ji” but only the Raagi that was committed to teaching others had the title of Prof. Today have Prof Ranjit Singh ji in US , Prof Devinder Singh ji in UK, etc. that have dedicated their whole life to Kirtan and have no affiliation with any University.
Prof Chet Singh ji was one of these Kirtaneya that dedicated their whole life to Guru Ji Kirtan Sewa.
Thank you Kirtan Sewa for inspiring me and many others.
Why is it not addressed that Ragi Chet Singh has another son in the UK Bhai Ravinder Singh Lakhanpal. It only mentions Bharpoor Singh. But I have heard both brothers Kirtan and it is very beautiful.
Thank you for the information. I have added Bhai Ravinder Singh Ji’s name as well. I was not aware earlier as my only source of information was Bhai Bharpoor Singh Ji’s grandson. It would be much appreciated if you could provide more information. Thank you.
Prof Chet Singh, professional, sangeetkar, Raga de Badshah, puratan Reetian de Dhani. It was great for SS Khalsa for the research, he always finds great kirtanes, Sangeetkar. I am very much grateful him to him, keep on…..
Giani Gurdev S Rayat BEM
Bahut bahut dhanwad ji aap ji de comment lai. Das professor Chet Singh ji da pita hai ji.
Sorry potra likhna si pita likh gya Jo Hun remove nhi ho reha. Professor Chet Singh ji mere dada ji San.
Aap ji da bahut bahut dhanwad ji, professor Chet Singh ji das de dada ji San.