There is little information known regarding the life of Tilly Bai Ji. Originally from the Sindh province of Pakistan, she moved to Bombay following the partition. Bhai Harbans Singh Suraj (UK) recounted that she performed Kirtan regularly in Ulhas Nagar and his father, Sant Ajit Singh Ji accompanied her on tabla many times. In her article ‘Listening to Female Voices in Sikh Kirtan’, Gurminder Kaur Bhogal has written that Tilly Bai recorded for Deutsche Gramophone under the Polydor label, possibly during the late 60s to 70s. Below is an excerpt from her article with regards to Tilly Bai.<\/p>\n
‘Chetna hai to chet lai\u2019 presents a wholly pared-down texture where a predominant melody in raag Tilang-Kafi is lightly accompanied by a simple metric pattern provided by the dholak (in dadra) and a barely audible doubling of the melody in the harmonium. The musical interludes are kept to a minimum and Tilly Bai\u2019s treatment of raag is simple and refined with barely a nod towards melodic embellishment. Unlike any of the other kirtaniye heard here, Tilly Bai\u2019s commitment to a slow tempo allows for a deliberate enunciation of the words, unencumbered by taans and other such ornamental gestures; as she ponders over the poetry and semantics of every phrase, we are invited to do the same.<\/em><\/p>\n Till Bai visited Malaysia in 1965 and some of the recordings available below were made then. \u00a0If anyone has a photo or more recordings of Tilly Bai Ji to share, please contact us.<\/p>\n The Asa Ki Vaar below was recorded by Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) during her visit to Malaysia in 1965. Please ‘right click’ and ‘save link as’ to download audio files. Enjoy!<\/strong><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – Asa Di Vaar 1965 RTM Part 1<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – Asa Di Vaar 1965 RTM Part 2<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – Asa Di Vaar 1965 RTM Part 3<\/a><\/p>\n Japji Sahib in Kirtan form recorded by late Sardar Sangat Singh Ji in Malaysia in 1965.<\/strong><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – Japji Sahib<\/a><\/p>\n The following recordings were contributed by Bhai Harbans Singh Suraj.<\/strong><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 01 Jo Mangai Thakur<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 02 Satgur Ke Charan<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 03 Ram Simar<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 04 Meri Meri Karte<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 05 Chetna Hai To Chet Lai<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 06 Rajan Kaun Tumare<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 07 Ram Siyo Kar Preet<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 08 Jaag Le Re Man Jaag<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 09 Aree Bai Gobind Naam<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 10 Tera Keeta Jato Naahee<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 11 Nanak Ghar Ke Gole<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 12 Sevak Ki Ardas<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 13 Haun Kurbani Teriya<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 14 Saach Kaho Sun Leho<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 15 Jaisa Satgur Sunida<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 16 Ghar Baahar Tera Bharvasa<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 17 Main Andhule Ki Tek<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 18 Apne Sevak Ki<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 19 Jap Mann Har Har Naam<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 20 Bhajaho Gobind Bhool<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 21 Naange Awan<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 22 Sagur Hoye Dayaal (half)<\/a><\/p>\n *New recording added on 12th May 2021<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The following recordings are from the collection of Sardar Balbir Singh Ji from Tampin, Malaysia. Recordings courtesy of his son, Sardar Amarpall Singh Ji.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 01 Asa Di Vaar<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 02 Gur Shabadi Gobind<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 03 Asa Di Vaar<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 04 Chetna Hai To Chet Lai<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 05 Asa Di Vaar<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 06 Jap Man Satnam (Incomplete)<\/a><\/p>\n Tilly Bai (Bombay) – 07 Taati Vao Na Lagai<\/a><\/p>\n