Bhai Baldeep Singh

During 1987–2005,^[9] Bhai Baldeep conducted a comprehensive research mission^[9] across Punjab and Pakistan with the aim of gaining access to the Gurbani kirtan tradition by reaching out to the old ragis of the time and retrieving its links. He retrieved musical compositions of Gurbani Shabads left out and remaining at that time in oral tradition, revived intricacies in playing percussion instrument Pakhawaj Jori. He also succeeded in exposing the peacock based stringed instrument Taus which was in vogue for Gurbani singing initiated by Guru Hargobind. He was successful to approach Giani Harbhajan Singh an elderly luthier (1920–2005), who possessed profound knowledge of playing and making traditional string instruments like Taus, Saranda, Rabab, Dilruba etc. used for Gurbani Kirtan and Indian classical music and reviving his Luthiery techniques for learning and making these instruments himself. Giani Harbhajan Singh Mistry even handed over the reins of his young grandson Parminder Singh Bumrah to Baldeep Singh, who later became a major string instrument luthier and Mridangam Pakhavaj player.^[10]

Source:^[3][7]

Bhai Baldeep Singh learned playing Mirdang (jori, tabla), Pakhawaj, according to the Guru Chela tradition from Ustad Arjan Singh Tarangar,^[3] an expert musician of Jodi and Mirdang. He perfected this art so much that he received the turban /achieved headship of Amritsari Baj tradition being continued from Bhai Maiya Singh in this art. He revived this gharana of Pakhawaj also known as Nayian da gharana or more recently Punjab Gharana.^[11] He also perfected his learning of Gurbani and Gurmat Sangeet from his grand uncle Bhai Gurcharan Singh Ragi.^[12] Additionally he mastered technique of making traditional string instruments like rabab, saranda, tambura, dilruba etc. Bhai Baldeep is not only engaged in the research of traditional string instruments of the Guru period, but has succeeded in reviving these instruments in service of Gurbani Sangeet,.

He is founder and chairman of Anad conservatory of classical style of kirtan. He has trained several Indian and western musicians in this art.^[13] To name a few Nirinjan Kaur Khalsa and Francesca Cassio are his well acclaimed students.^[6]

Besides he has organized many music concerts in India as well as abroad in North America, Europe, Southeast Asia and Australia and gave performances for his singing and playing.^[3][9][14]

He has been an expert and visiting professor of Gurbani Sangeet, at Hofstra University, USA.^[5][8]