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sikh singh kirtan Gurbani Jatha Singing Missionary



Bhai Dharam Singh Zakhmi |  ਭਾਈ ਧਰਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਜ਼ਖਮੀ  | was a very renowned Sikh Ragi of the 1960's and 1970's. Bhai sahib became an Amritdhari ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਧਾਰੀ (baptised) Sikh in 1947. He spent many years studying Gurbani (ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ) and was an excellent and erudite speaker. In particular, Bhai sahib was very familiar with the Bani of the Dasam Granth as well as the ghazals of Bhai Nand Lal. Often Bhai sahib and his jatha (group) would sing Persian ghazals by Bhai Nand Lal accompanied by the beautiful translations of Bhai Megh Raj Garib ji.

Bhai sahib belonged to the village of Manko in District Jalandhar. The village is close to Shamchaurasi, home to the famous Pakistani Khayal singers Salamat Ali Khan and Nazakat Ali Khan. Bhai Sahib was often referred to as 'Shamchaurasiwale' or belonging to Shamchaurasi. Even though he had received the gift of music from his forefathers, Bhai sahib studied Gurmat Sangeet under the guidance of Prof. Darshan Singh Komal, another giant in the world of Gurmat Sangeet.

Bhai ji never entered the service of any Gurdwara or institution in his lifetime. He and his Jatha travelled extensively, delighting Sikh Sangats in various parts of India and abroad. In particular Bhai sahib visited Singapore, where the foresight of the local Prabhandaks (managers) in the 1960s resulted in his being extensively recorded.

The Jatha consisted of his brother Bhai Shamsher Singh Ji, who particularly in the latter years of Bhai sahib's life did most of the musical 'heavy lifting'. Tabla accompaniment was provided by Bhai Dharam Singh ji's son Bhai Hariqbal Singh Bali and Dilruba and vocal accompaniment was provided by his other son Bhai Amrik Singh zakhmi.

The Jatha was unique in in its rendition of Gurbani. A key feature of their singing was the fact that their ucharan (enunciation) of Bani was always crystal clear. While the Jatha was very sophisticated musically and rigorously adhered to the rules of Raga and Tala, at no point did they ever let the Raga overpower the Shabad, which is the hallmark of a good exponent of Gurmat Sangeet.

Bhai Shamsher Singh was blessed with a "buland" (soaring) voice which he used to great effect. Bhai Hariqbal Singh, while providing excellent tabla accompaniment also provided very able vocal support. The interplay between Bhai Shamsher Singh and Amrik Singh was truly magical. Another hallmark of the Jatha's singing was their very effective use of "Parmans", where they would often sing selections from Gurbani, relevant to the shabad being rendered, with great elegance.

Bhai Dharam Singh Ji's extremely erudite and crisp Katha and very effective use of the language enhanced the Jatha's efforts even further. He would take great delight in quoting Gurbani, particularly enjoying the sublime poetry and the cascading cadences of Guru Gobind Singh Ji's compositions.

Bhai Dharam Singh, a very learned man and a great Parcharak (preacher) passed away in 1980.

Bhai Shamsher Singh formed a new jatha with Bhai Mohanpal Singh on vocals and his son on tabla. Saddly Bhai sahib ji also passed away in the mid 80's.

Bhai Amrik Singh Ji continued with his own jatha with his brother Bratpal Singh on dilruba/israj and his son Bhai Harjot Singh Zakhmi on vocals. He sadly passed away in 2013. Bhai Hariqbal Singh Ji moved to Bombay/Mumbai after his fathers death, he started his own jatha for a while and later turned to doing katha and to date continues to do so.

Bhai Harjot Singh Zakhmi Grandson of Bhai Dharam Singh Zakhmi and S/o Bhai Amrik Singh Zakhmi currently resides in Jalandhar, Punjab and still continues the family legacy serving the panth with his own jatha (His cousin Bhawanpreet Singh on side as vocalist and his son Jaspreet pal singh on tabla).