WASHINGTON: For the past month the most accomplished and celebrated Kirtani Jatha of Bhai Dibag Singh Gulbag Singh has en a major attraction in the weekly programs of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation (G.G.S.F) in the Washington Metropolitan area his unique Jatha consisting of all brothers will perform Kirtan at G.G.S.F. on June 141992 when we commemorate Guru Arjan Deyjis Martyrdom in a special Diwan. They plan to leave for California by mid-June to perform Gurbani Kirtan in Gurdwaras in San Francisco and neighboring areas and then come back to the East Coast for a short while before departing for their native village Bodla in Hoshiarpur district in Punjab.

This Raagi Jatha is at the moment the most well-known of all the Rababi Jathas who sing according to Bhai Mardana tadia Bhai Dilbag Singh and Gulbag Singh named after the favorite horses of Guru Hargobind Sahib sing in classical style with such accomplishment that they create an atmosphere of devotion nobility and peace which is beyond description.

Although these brothers are equally accomplished in singing Kawali Ghazal Thumri etc they prefer Gurbani Kirtan and find complete joy peace and contentment in dedicating their art to their beloved Gurus. Thus they have chosen to sing Gurbani as a means of their livelihood. They had their debut in 1974 at Gurdwara Shri Manji Sahib at Amritsar in a Kirtan Darbar. In this Kirtan Darbar the participants are required to sing one Shabad written by Guru Ram Dassji in the Raag which the Guru had uttered the shabad. The second shabad must be sung according to Gurmat tradition. This Jatha excelled in both and gave such a memorable performance that their distinguished career took off then and there.

In 1975 a year later they gave another memorable performance this time at Anandpur Sahib on the eve of Hola Mohalla. Before Participation in this Kirtan Durbar Bhai Sahib took Amrit and then Sang in Raag Basant to delight the thousands who gathered to celebrate Hola Mohalla in the midst of festivities sanctioned by Guru Gobind Singh three centuries ago. Ever since this Jatha has become the symbol of excellence in Kirtan Durbars and musical events nationally and now internationally. Bhai Dilbag Singh talks about the various temptations which could have allured these accomplished artists into the film world or the Slages of Bombay but they have done well in attaching themselves to Gurbani Kirtan” they say with a sense of pride pointing to the fivek’s they have maintained ever since they took Amritat Anandpur Sahib They talk about Sardar Jodh Singh of AIR (Retd.) Jalandhar with a sense of gratitude for having encouraged them to dedicate their talents to their Gurus in singing Gurbani to spread Gurus message far and wide.

In Washington metropolitan area they have given kirtan programs not only in Gurdwaras but in private homes as well as at public functions. Their kirtan of Shabads “Banetgi” “Main Banda Baikhind tu sach sahib mera” and Bhai Gurdas “Gursikhi Di Eh Nishani” are on the lips of their audience.

They performed Kirtan at Washington Cathedral in the midst of religious leaders from many different faiths and denominations. The American audience though it did not understand the words and meanings of the Shabads sung were so impressed with the sound of music in the Kirtan that Bhai Sahib and Jetha were requested to sing in front of the Cathedral at the closing ceremony of the function to celebrate the environment day in the midst of international guests like Prince Philip of Great Britain and many more. Thus Bhai Dilbag Singhs Jatha became instrumental in giving wide publicity to the Sikh religion and Sikh community in Washington Metropolitan area

As the sun was going down these sons of the soil of Punjab duly baptized at Anandpur Sahib where Guru Gobind Singh had baptized his Punj Piaras had become the heart throbs of the international religious leaders present at the celebration Descending from the high stage of the Cathedral these four brothers had Gurus name on their lips “Ham Rulte Phirte koe Bat Na Puchta Gur Saigur Sang Keera Ham Thape.” “This is a true blending of music and Gurbani this is a happy meeting of humility and excellence” I said to myself watching them from a distance. This Jatha is head and shoulders above their contemporaries in India or abroad and at the moment is the peak of their career. All four brothers have an abundance of human qualities of a “true Gursikh” and they have plenty of affection and goodwill towards each other and peaceful vibrations flow from them towards the audience they are a contented lot and wherever they meet true admirers of Gurbani Kiran they consider their sacred duty to perform Kirtan even if it means without any “Kirtan Bheta.”

They are a delightful company and had many interesting anecdotes to share as they sat for langar with Sadh Sangat after the Sunday Gurdwara program. They had had to face many difficulties in entering music completions at national and international levels because of their turbans and beards and their 5 Ks but once they crossed the initial hurdles they excelled in their performance each time winning an award or a medal.

We at Guru Gobind Singh Foundation welcome Bhai Dilbag Singhs Jatha here and we thank them for having chosen us as their central place of stay during their short visit to the United States. We wish them gods speed as they go to California and other parts of this country.

Bhasha Vibhag Punjabi University has done well in honoring this Jatha as the “Shromani Kirtan Jetha.” We hope that maximum number of Sikhs in this country will be able to listen to this unique Raagi Jetha during their visit to this country.

Article extracted from this publication >> June 19, 1992