JALANDHAR: Two books released on his Barsi by Singh Sahib Jathedar Manjit Singh ji. A commemorative public function was organized by Sardar Jodh Singh Memorial Trust (Regd). This function was held on October 9, 1994 at Guru Nanak Mission Gurdwara, Jalandhar, and Punjab, India; and was dedicated to the legendary personality that Sardar Jodh Singh was, Singh Sahib, Jathedar Manjit Singh came especially to attend this function and to pay his tribute to Sardar Jodh Singh, who left for his heavenly abode on October 13, 1993. Program was inaugurated by Katha, and many distinguished speakers paid tributes to the departed ‘soul since Gummat Sangeet was Sardar Jodh Singh’s greatest source of inspiration in life, many well-known Ragi Jathas arrived to perform Keertan to honor his many varied contributions to promote Gurbani Keertan through the media, ¢.g. All India Radio, T.V. programs and open air Keertan Darbars. An accomplished artist, Dr. Nivedita Uppal, sang two shabeds from Gum Teg Bahadur ji’s Bani in the Ragas originally prescribed by the Gun. Audience was so moved by the melodious singing of this young artist. The environment bore ‘a touch of old times when Sardar Jodh Singh used to conduct the open air Keertan Darbars where audience, tens of thousands sat in the stillness of chilled nights under the star studded sky, to listen to Guru’s ‘bards.’ Sardar Josh Singh’s scholarly exposition of Gurbani, his bejeweled commentary on the accomplished Ragis, imbued with his deep reverence and love for his Guru pouring out in his musical voice kept the audience spell bound.

Singh Sahib Prof, Manjit Singh, paid a rare tribute to Sardar Jodh Singh by saying that our sojourn in this world is so brief, life is so transitory and human body so fragile…but people like Sardar Jodh Singh, who may no longer be with us in physical form have truly become immortal because of their dedicated service to humanity. Thereafter Prof. Gurcharan Singh, chairman of the Trust gave a detailed account of Sardar Jodh Singh’s contributions to Sikh nation. Journalist and Commentator, Gurmeet Singh Khanpuri paid a sentimental tribute to Sardar Jodh Singh in a poetic language and said that Sardar Jodh Singh’s sudden death has left many educational, social, religious and cultural institutions as orphans; he has left so many projects, yet incomplete…Khanpuri had met Sardar Jodh Singh just a few years ago, at a cultural function, and then on he looked forward to a lifelong professional association with him in the timeless extremity. Only the precious memories remain. Khanpuri planned a retrospective study of Sardar Jodh Singh’s life work in collaboration with Sardar Jodh Singh’s daughter Dr. Surjit Kaur. Presently living in the United States. Towards the end of this commemorative function, Manjit Singh released two books. First one was a brief biographical Sketch of Sardar Jodh Singh, written by his daughter Dr. Surjit Kaur, The second book, which is a Coffee Table Edition, is an anthology of Essay son Gurmat Sangeet written by scholars and Gurmat Sangeet commentators; Prof. Sher Singh, Prof. Pritam Singh, Dr. Jagir Singh, the Late Prof. G.S. Mansukhani, Dr. Jit Singh Scetal, Dr. Gumam Singh, Bibi Baljit Kaur Tulsi, Dr. Miss Nivedita Singh, Dr. Devinder Singh Vidyarthi and Bhai Ardaman Singh Bagerian. These essays are written in both languages English and Punjabi. First section of this book contains Sardar Jodh Singh’s biographical sketches written by Surjit Kaur, Sardar K.S. Raju and Dr, Pritam: Singh, followed by a number of tributes to Sardar Jodh Singh, positional and international per Solis. The book contains some rare pictures of Sardar Jodh Sing illustrating his glorious career in service of his people in India and abroad. The book has been edited by Prof. Gursharan Singh and Dr. Jagir Singh.

‘Singh Sahib Prof. Manjit Singh it honored Drs. Gurcharan Singh and Gursharan Singh, Mrs. Dan Kaur and Mr. K.S. Raju, with Saropas in appreciation of their sustained hard work in bringing out this book in a timely and professional manner. This function was attended among others by Punjab’s prominent personalities including Principal Dharam Pal Singh Shamchurasi, Dr. Dev Raj Jassi.

Shri Jagir Mankia, Shri C.L. Chumbal, Shmt. Dr. Kulwant Jassi and others. The book can be procured from Dr. Surjit Kaur, Phone: (703) 5607387 or by writing directly to the secretary of the trust Dr. Gursharn Singh at: Deep House, 4Green View, Patiala, Punjab, India.

Article extracted from this publication >>  December 16, 1994