Bhai Sahib was in Houston in connection with 2025 Guru Nanak Ji’s Parkash Purab celebrations.
This interview took place on November 09, 2025. The responses to the questions have slightly edited for brevity, clarity, and better reading flow.
- Q - How did your musical journey begin?
A – My musical journey started with my own family. Both of my parents were as well as grandparents were all connected (as amateur singers) with devotional sacred music. So, at birth when I opened my eyes I heard music, Keertan compositions, even witnessed musical ambience.
- Q - Who were your biggest influences growing up?
A – My father was the earliest and the biggest influence on me. His name is Sardar Bakshish Singh. He was an Electrical Engineer, retired from Punjab State Electricity Board.
- Q - What was the first instrument you learned to play?
A – It was Tabla (percussions) and Harmonium. My first teacher was my father. Even my mother was an accomplished Keertan Singer and guided me as well.
- Q - Tell me about your musical training?
A – I started learning Tabla from Ustad Tilak Raj in 1983. However, my formal musical training started in 1987 from Tabla Ustaad Bhajan Lal Srivastava. It was special training that I received from him.
- Q - Was there a moment when you knew music would be your career?
A – I started learning vocal singing from Bhai Sahib Boota Singh Hanspal in 1988. After that I learned vocal singing from Ustad Baldev Krishan. After training under these two teachers my father took me to Shiromani Raagi Bhai Balbir Singh for higher education in vocal singing. He trained me in several areas of singing as raagas, Gurbani, music compositions, and other aspects of singing, honing my skills for 22 years to become a complete Keertania. At his suggestion I started taking education from Ustad Ravi Bali Ji as well in 1999. Simultaneously I was learning from Bhai Sahib Balbir Singh Ji, and Bali Ji. The musical learning journey continues still. Listening to music is my hobby, and it has become inevitable part of my life, without which I cannot be.
- Q - How has your background shaped your music style?
A – My singing style has been influenced by many singers, as they have contributed to the evolution of my singing style. To name the few as Ustad Gulam Ali (famous Gazal singer), Ustad Amir Khan, Pandit Bhim Sen Joshi, and Ustad Rashid Khan. In Tabla, Ustad Zakir Hussain and Ustad Abdul Sitar Tari have influenced me. All these people have influenced and shaped my singing style, and following masteros also have shaped my singing:
Bhai Samund Singh Ji
Bhai Bakshish Singh Ji
Bhai Harjinder Singh Srinagarwale.
I love listening to playback singers Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Mohamad Rafi, Manna Dey and Suman Kalyanpur. However, the contribution of parents in taking me where I am today in the Keertan world cannot expressed in words.
- Q - Tell me about your experiences with Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s unique path of singing to pass his spiritual message and bring about transformation within?
A – In Guru Nanak’s unique method of devotional worship singing praises of the Almighty is the supreme method. In Indian traditions there are nine (9) types of devotional worship and Keertan is the finest and on the top of these nine types.
This methodology involves conveying through Raagas and Gurbani simultaneously. It results in inner transformation towards Almighty when we connect singing with the praises of Almighty. We experience an immersion in the Shabad making us forget time and “Flow.”
- Q - Do you remember your first live performance?
A – Yes! I do very vividly. I sang a shabad at age of five (5). It is a Vaar by Bhai Gurdas, and the words were:
ਗੁਰੁ ਬੈਠਾ ਅਮਰੁ ਸਰੂਪ ਹੋਇ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਈ ਦਾਤਿ ਇਲਾਹੀ।
“Guru Baithhaa Amaru Saroop Hoi Guramukhi Paaee Daathh iIlaahee |”
(Bhai Gurdas Vaar 1.46)
Translation: Having received the celestial gift from Guru Angad, the Guru, in the form of Amar Das was seated.
I sang after my father had performed his Keertan.
- Q - How has becoming the Keertania at Sri Harmander Sahib has impacted your career?
A – Because of “Mehima” of Sri Harmander Sahib and the sheet volume of devotional singing that has taken place here from the times of the Gurus has permeated the atmosphere there. As a result, it has a significant impact on the emotional state of singers and listeners as well, as both get emotionally elevated.
- Q - When you are performing Keertan in Sri Harmander Sahib, how do you feel inside?
A – A feeling of immense blissfulness emanates from within. I also get a similar feeling when performing in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, as Keertan is food for the soul.
- Q - What was your most memorable performance?
A – A performance becomes memorable when we connect with Almighty and the audience in front of us. It does not always happen. The transformation within is very sublime with only a feeling of bliss remaining within, a sense of time and place disappears, as well as all worries and concerns disappear.
- Q - What do you think about the role of music in improving the wellbeing of listeners?
A – In the society there are negative traits as murder, rape, killing, loot, plunder, cheating and others. But when people singing and listening make that inner connection, they all experience inner transformation, becoming like the manifestation of Almighty.
- Q - What will your advice be to the parents and children about significance of music and Gurbani in life?
A – Parents should involve kids in Gurbani, Keertan, music, painting, and other forms of fine arts, as all these activities can enhance their personality development. The pressure from school and social media plus electronic devices are more ever present now. But the distractions were there in the past and will be there in future as well. However, those who become committed will derive the benefits.
- Q - How do you connect with your audience?
A – We as a group always aim for a superior performance according to Gur Marayada. We even try to fulfill the listeners’ requests so they can really connect with it.
- Q - How can keertan relate to younger generation?
A – We must make short clips or reels on lessons relating to – Gurbani, Raagas, Notations, Singing Practice, how to connect with Shabad and Gurbani. In addition, we must make efforts to connect with the youth through virtual media apps like Zoom and Facebook. However, the benefits will accrue to those who:
Practice hard with perseverance and diligently.
Those endowed with musical inclination.
Blessed with Grace (Guru Dee Mehar).
Blessings of the elders and seasoned.
Thank you, Bhai Sahib Ji, for taking time from your busy schedule to answer these questions. I am hoping that the desirous individuals will surely benefit from the guidance that you are sharing with me in form of answers.
