The Sant Khalsa Namdhari Sikh Punjabi Radio (original) (raw)

In The House of The Satgurus, from The Time of Sri Satguru Nanak Dev Ji, Kirtan has been performed in two ways: Either in Ragas with sophisticated musical instrutments by Rababis and Ragis or in the form of Divans sung from The Heart of The Sikhs by The Sadh Sangat (Congregation) using the rather basic drums and cymbals.

After the exile of Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji in 1872 A.D., the Sant Khalsa (Namdhari Sikhs) were brutally oppressed by the British government and its supporters. So much that even the performance of Kirtan by the Namdhari Sikhs was outlawed throughout the land and numerous Namdhari Congregation sessions were interrupted and terminated by the order of the corrupt officials.

"Break their fingers!" they exclaimed, when the Namdhari Divan in Tarn Taran was interrupted and the Sikhs beaten with clubs for the 'crime' of reciting Gurbani and peacefully praying for the end of the British oppression. They called for Mahant Didar Singh's fingers to be broken for they knew that as long as he keeps beating the drum, The Khalsa would attract more and more people to support its cause of spreading Dharma and removing the corrupt British government from Bharat (India).

T hrough such tough and testing times, The Namdhari Sikhs of The Satguru kept beating the drums and clapping the cymbals in His Praise. From these drums were heard the Name of God by those who believed in Freedom and from these drums was heard death and rounds of cannons by those who opposed The Khalsa. As long as the drums were beaten and the cymbals clapped, the British and its supporters never found peace.

Through the dark pages of history, the feat of preserving the Gurmat Sangeet and spreading The Message of The Satguru by the numerous Namdhari Subas, Jathedars and Kavis through the times of Sri Satguru Hari Snigh Ji, Sri Satguru Partap Singh Ji and until today in The Darbar (Court) of Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji, can truly be viewed as nothing less than a Miracle.

Sachay Patshah Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji

"Words fail us when we speak about His Most Exalted Holiness Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji. His intense love for and wholehearted devotion to every aspect of music - deep thought, melody and rhythm - need no testimony, and His Art spontaneously permeates His Whole Life."

- Pundit Birju Jee Maharaj

"I have never known a Spiritual Guru such as 'Satguru' Who is so keen and knowledgeable in the Indian classical music field. It was a delight to witness Him playing and teaching His students with such vast knowledge, especially His grasp of rare and original Ragas as well as Taals is very inspiring."

-Pundit Hari Prasad Chaurasia

"You are The Enlightened Person and possess immense Knowledge of music Yourself and You have chosen to nurture musical talents under the guidance of professional musicians. This amply illustrates Your Love for music......You have therefore become The Savior of Indian Classical Music"

-Pundits Rajan and Sajan Mishra

"Indian classical music and spiritualism are two sides of the same coin. Indian Saints and Sages have used music as a medium of meditation. Revered Satguru Ji is The Brightest and Most appropriate example of an Ideal combination of a Great Spiritual Guru and not only a Great Lover of music but also having deep knowledge of this Art. He has amazing knowledge of hundreds of traditional and rare compositions in various Ragas and Taals. These compositions should be recorded and preserved."

-Pundit Shiv Kumar Sharma

Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji has a multi-talented and very Revered (worshipping) personality. It takes just a short meeting with Him to fill one's mind with spiritual ecstasy. His celestial and smiling Face casts a magnetic attraction to come closer to Him. His memory remains always fresh and inspires one to lead a pure and simple life.

His Holiness undertakes extensive travels not only in India but abroad as well to shower His Divine Blessings upon His Sikhs as evident from the writings of many renowned scholars all over the world. Sri Satguru Ji advises the rich people not to be proud of the riches and the worldly possessions as they are all perishable. His Holiness advises the strong people not to be proud of their strength as it is lost with the growing of age. Sri Satguruji stresses the fact that a person should live a modest, sincere, truthful and honest life and to always appreciate good deeds of the people and ignore their evils and faults. His Holiness is The True Apostle of Love, Peace and Affection for the humanity. Words fail to describe the Divine Personality that is Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji.

Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji, the Supreme Satguru and a Gifted musician Himself, has Contributed immensely to the field of Indian classical music by training, promoting and supporting countless promising artists. Indian classical music has also been enriched by the contribution of numerous 'Bandishes' (Compositions) and 'Taals' created by Sri Satguru Ji. The Master of 'Dhruvpad' and 'Dhamar Gayaki', Satguruji has Created many 'Bandishes' in intricate 'Taal' patterns that include 'Taals' with three quarters and 13 'Matras', three quarters and seven 'Matras' and seven by eight 'Matras'. His deep interest in music has made Him revive old ragas like �Maaj� and �Suhi� mentioned in the Sri Aad Granth Sahib but almost never sung by the modern non-Namdhari artists.

On November 4, 1999 Satguru Ji were presented with The Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan Memorial Award at Gajaraja auditorium for His Holiness' Blessings to the Indian classical music. Speaking in Praise of the Satguru, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, son of Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan, said that "All classical artistes are related to Satguruji in one way or the other, whenever an artiste is in trouble, he knocks at Satguru Ji's door and receives His Divine Blessings. There is a melody in His Selflessness that creates Divine Music."

Many of the Great Indian Classical musicians have played in the honor of Satguru Ji including Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ustad Shafat Ahmed Khan, Pundit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Ustad Zakhir Hussain and Pundit Rajan and Sajan Mishra to name a few.

The fact that Satguruji does not restrict His Teachings to His followers alone but imparts His Divine Knowledge of music to others too speaks volumes for His Dedication and Zeal. Once in Gwalior, when He heard budding Indian classical vocalists Rajan and Sajan Mishra, His Holiness immediately took them under His Guidance. Today, the Mishra brothers are the pride of India and they do not get tired of acknowledging the role played by Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji in promoting and supporting their career.

With the Great Blessing of the Satguru, a new instrument was created. Somewhat like Jal Tarang, it is played with wet thumbs instead of the sticks. The instrument was named 'Namdhari Tarang' by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. Under the Divine Guidance of the Great Satgurus, Namdhari Sikhs have excelled in Indian classical music and Gurmat Sangeet. But the more important contribution has been the preservation of the recital of Gurbani in Ragas, as set out from first Guru, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and onwards. Artists of all ages in every Namdhari Community (Sangats) around the world are maintaining this rich and now unfortunately rare tradition.