{"id":28678,"date":"2025-04-28T07:50:31","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T07:50:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kirtansewa.net\/?page_id=28678"},"modified":"2025-04-29T06:46:25","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T06:46:25","slug":"principal-dyal-singh","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kirtansewa.net\/index.php\/principal-dyal-singh\/","title":{"rendered":"Principal Dyal Singh"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Principal Dyal Singh was one of the most distinguished exponents and teachers of Gurmat Sangeet. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he dedicated himself to the study, preservation, documentation, and transmission of traditional Sikh music, becoming a central figure in the revival and institutional continuity of this rich heritage.<\/p>\n

Principal Dyal Singh was born in April 1934 in the village of Badla Singha in Meerut district, into the home Sardar Ujjagar Singh. At the age of twelve, he left his village school to join the Gurmat Vidyalaya at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi, an institution founded by Sardar Bahadur Dharm Singh Ji for the training of Raagis in classical Gurmat Sangeet.<\/p>\n

Under the tutelage of Giani Hardit Singh Ji, young Dyal Singh immersed himself in the study of Kirtan, Katha, and Path, with a strong focus on stringed instruments such as the Dilruba and Saranda, as well as Tabla. He trained intensively at the Vidyalaya for five years, laying a deep foundation for his future contributions.<\/p>\n

In 1952, Dyal Singh joined the \u2018jatha\u2019 of Bhai Samund Singh Ji, one of the most revered Raagis of the 20th century. As a Dilruba accompanist, he gained invaluable experience and exposure. In December 1954, he began serving at Gurdwara Bala Sahib at the request of the musicologist Gian Singh Abbotabad Ji. Here, he collaborated with eminent musicians, including the visiting Bhai Taba Ji, a preserver of the Rababi tradition. Between 1954 and 1958, Principal Dyal Singh Ji documented over 200 ancient compositions across more than 60 Raags, including rare Partals and Guldastas; many of which were later included in seminal texts.<\/p>\n

In 1959, Dyal Singh began his service at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar as a Dilruba accompanist, performing during key daily recitations such as Asa Di Var and Sodar Chauki. In 1960, at the request of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, he was tasked with reviewing, proofreading, and organising the material compiled by Gian Singh Abbotabad Ji for the upcoming publication of Gurbani Sangeet. In 1964, responding to the call of his mentor, Giani Hardit Singh Ji, Dyal Singh resigned from his position in Amritsar and returned to Delhi. There, he took up the responsibility of refining and expanding the second edition of Gurbani Sangeet, contributing intricate \u2018alaaps\u2019 and details of the Raags to the volume.<\/p>\n

In the final days of Giani Hardit Singh Ji\u2019s life, as his health declined, Sardar Narinder Singh Ji, a trustee of the Gurmat Vidyalay requested Dyal Singh to begin assisting with teaching responsibilities. Following Giani Hardit Singh Ji\u2019s passing on 25th<\/sup> January 1967, a large gathering of his former students assembled at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib on 6th<\/sup> February to pay their final respects. During this solemn occasion, the Secretary of the Guru Nanak Vidya Bhandar Trust, Sardar Kahn Singh Ji, consulted the assembled disciples regarding the future leadership of the Vidyalaya. With unanimous agreement, they nominated Dyal Singh Ji to take on the role. At the age of thirty-three, he accepted the responsibility and began the \u2018Sewa\u2019 that he would carry forward with unwavering dedication for the next forty-five years. During his service, Principal Dyal Singh taught with unmatched dedication, often at the cost of his own health and comfort, leading a life of austerity in the service of the Guru and the Panth.<\/p>\n

Principal Dyal Singh was also a prolific author and some of his key works include:<\/p>\n