The Story Behind the Dhunni of Tunda Asraja

Raj Academy

The story behind the Dhunni of Tunda Asraja:

During the 16th Century in ancient India, there lived a king called Sarang, who had three sons and the eldest of his children was named Asraj. The first wife of the king had died several years ago, she had been the mother of Asraj. The king then married again and had two more sons. The stepmother of Asraj never favoured Asraj, she disliked him very much. Her wish was for one of her sons to become the next king and she secretly conspired to get rid of Asraj, the current heir to the throne. Upon the sudden death of Sarang, the queen secretly arranged for the assassination of Asraj, instructing the executioner to ensure that Asraj would suffer a slow and painful death. 

Consequently, he chopped off both of Asraj’s hands and threw him into a dry well, leaving him to bleed to death there. After many hours, Asraj gained consciousness and heard distance voices. He started to shout for help and luckily the passersby heard his cries and rescued Asraj, putting him on a trolley and treating his wounds. The group of people took Asraj along with them, pushing the trolley at the front of the group. They walked for hours and it was only on the morning of the following day that the gate to the next city was seen in the distance. 

As the sun was beginning to rise over the horizon, they entered the main gate and to their surprise they were greeted by members of the royal court of the city who decorated Asraj in garlands of flowers and jewels, whilst musicians played celebratory music for him and everyone danced for joy. Asraj and his fellow travellers were confused and disillusioned, they couldn’t understand what was going on. 

They were approached by a member of the royal court who explained that the previous night the king of the city had died and as per the law of the city, whenever a king has no next of kin, then upon his death whoever is the first to enter the city will be crowned as the new king. As Asraj had been pushed on the trolley at the front of the group, he was the first to enter the city and was now crowned king. From this moment Asraj was known as *Tunda Asraja.

Asraj then quickly recovered and regained his inner strength. He set out to seek justice in his home kingdom and was victorious there. Asraj was righteous, fair and noble, loved by his city and truly a king of the people. His courage brought him victory and ever since people have sung tales of his bravery for their own strength and inspiration. 

This was the tale of Tunda Asraja. 
*Tunda is the term used to refer to somebody who has no hands.

The time period of this incident was during the 16th Century, during the Guruship of Guru Amardass Ji and the rulership of Emperor Akhbar in India.

Vaar Asa was a fundamental part of a Sikh’s daily discipline from the time of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. During the heaviest and most challenging days that our ancestors faced in the battle fields of Chamkaur and Bhangani they never gave up their practice of Vaar Asa, it gave the Sikh warriors the strength and spiritual focus they needed to achieve their victory.

In the significance of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, this tune of Tunda Asraja is sung for this specific vaar to encourage strength and victory during our daily challenge in life, while reminding us to always seek inner inspiration.

Vaar Asa holds the light and courage our mind needs to overcome the pain and laziness that we encounter each day. It has the power to heal the deepest pain and shine the brightest light within us. It was given as a blessing to humanity to unfold and share the true Wisdom of Life.

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Ustad Surjeet Singh is a world renowned Sarangi player. He is the senior student of the famous Pandit Ram Narayan (Sarangi Grand Master). Surjeet Singh has been working with Raj Academy since 1999 in support of the work and efforts made to revive Sikh Music.

Ustad Ranbir Singh has earned the title of being the "Worlds only professional Taus player”. He has dedicated his life to Sikh Music since the young age of 5 when he began his musical study on Dilruba in Bhaini Sahib. He is without doubt a phenomenal musician who is extremely gifted in playing the Taus and Dilruba and offers his experience as a teacher for Raj Academy.

Ustad Sukhdev Singh is a master vocalist from the Namdhari Tradition, he is a disciple of Rajan & Sajan Mishra from whom he gained all of his music training. Sukhdev Singh has been gifted with a divine voice which he uses to sing kirtan regularly in concerts and more frequently to the congregation in Bhaini Sahib.

Late Ustad Mohan Singh was an extremely talented Master vocalist and senior student of Rajan & Sajan Mishra. He spent most of his time teaching this art to students across the world and sharing his wisdom of kirtan. Unfortunately he was not able to see this project through to the end and departed from this world before the project was launched, but his voice and teachings will remain everlasting.

Bibi Amarjeet Kaur is a senior student of the famous Ragi, Bhai Santa Singh where she learnt Kirtan. She received her vocal training from Ustad Rattan Singh "Tansen" and Ustad Naseer Ahmad Khan. Her voice has a distinct beauty and realms of character that bring in the power and sweetness ideal for singing a Vaar.

Rajinder Kaur based in London is a student of Professor Surinder Singh ji, who graduated through the BMus offered at the University of West London in Gurmat Sangeet in 2012 and is now a dedicated teacher of Raj Academy. She has dedicated her life to teaching kirtan and currently plays an active role for all major Gurmat Sangeet courses taught within Europe.

Preetinder Singh began his study of Sikh Music with Professor Surinder Singh at the young age of 13. He has since found his passion and love for teaching, performing and sharing Sikh Music to students of Raj Academy based in North America and is now a teacher for Raj Academy.