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Parchar across India II
Tour
From Jalandhar to Ahmnabadh to Baroda where performed kirtan at the Prem Sabha Sarspur Road Akali Gurdwara and at asthan of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Then long journey to Mumbai where they stayed for 6 months. Did kirtan at Dadhur and Matunga and Chamboor coloney.On to Panchaiti gurdwara to Koliwara to Khaar and on to Bori Bandar to Shivji Palak and to Andhari where lots of bollywood actors came to the kirtan divan.
Was invited to the residence of Prithviraj Kapoor where performed kirtan and stayed one night. Met Giani Gian Singh and stayed with them and on to Ponasitara where met a granthi he had much respect and piyar for Baba Ji, stayed in this area for around a month before returning back to Jalandhar
While in Mumbai Baba Ji and his jatha found themselves in a gathering of musicians, where some of them would go on to be world class, one vocalist went by the name of Khan Saabh. Khan Saabh a world class and world famous classical vocalist, while in conversation made a quip about Sikh kirtania, he said along the lines that Sikh musicians are okay to do kirtan but they cannot play or sing in the true classical sense and asked if there was anyone who would accompany him on the tabla while he sang some Khyaal, but nobody wanted to play with such a distinguished vocalist. In one way it was a challenge, would anyone take up the gauntlet that was laid down?
Baba Ji who was still quite young at the time, did benti to Akaal Purkh saroop Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and said to Khan Saabh that he would play with him. Khan Saab was a little surprised at this as he did not expect such a young man to stand up in a gathering that had a lot of experienced and mature musicians sitting. Khan Saab asked if he was sure he wanted to play but Baba Ji assured him to take up his place and start singing and Baba Ji would do the rest. So Khan Saab started his alaap followed by a Chota Khyaal in vilambit laya and Baba Ji started with choti Teen taal. Khan Ji sang and tried all manner of tricks to put off Baba Ji, but with Guru Ji’s kirpa Baba Ji did not flounder and kept on playing with great skill. Baba Ji started to give the ‘Summ’ either before or later then was expected on the Theka and when the Khyaal progressed to Madhya laya and then faster and faster Baba Ji used the techniques taught by his master to play the tabla at great speed but using the minimum of effort. Khan Saabh completed his performance and was greatly impressed by Baba Ji’s playing. He congratulated him and invited Baba Ji to come stay in Mumbai where his talents would be greatly appreciated and there would be much demand for such an artist. But Baba Ji declined, Baba Ji said that he was a kirtania of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and it was his calling to do kirtan to the sangat across India.
Tour
Stayed home for around 3 months and then travelled to Garia to Phagwara to Phanor where did kirtan darbar and on to Ludhiana where met Dhaya Singh Dilbar the famous tadi and kathavachak and Bhai Bakshish Singh ragi. Stayed at the Kalgidhar gurdwara. Then on to Model Town to Dhraa and Khanna to Rajpuri to Ambala Kent to Shahbaadh to Marikanda to Trawari staying at gurdwara dedicated to Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji. On to Karnaar, to Delhi and Lajpat Nagar and Sisganj gurdwara where performed Asa-di-var in the morning. Went to a local gurdwara to perform anand karaj but found the people sitting on chairs infront of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Baba Ji refused to perform the lavan until the chairs were removed, this they eventually agreed to after much to'ing and fro'ing. Back to Sisganj Sahib and on to Agra to Nagpur Baba Shisha Singh Ji Langar Sahib to Chandpur Chanda where met a Sikh called Joga Singh who owned a large bit land that was like a thick jungle. Spent around 15 days in Hyrabad staying in a small gurdwara then on to Sakandra where again met Baba Joginder Singh Moni Ji from Hazoor Sahib, then on to Manwaar where there is a gurdwara dedicated to Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Met Sant Harnam Singh Ji at their dera. Baba Ji was very tired at the time did not know it was Harnaam Singh Ji's bed/asaan and fell asleep on Sant Jis bed. When Sant Harnam Singh saw this, they insisted that Baba Ji now had to stay here and take over the sewa duties from them, much to the resentment of the other sewadhars. Baba Ji was very honoured by this but told Sant Ji that they had hukam from Guru Gobind Singh Ji to do dharam parchar across the country so had to respectfully decline and from here came back to Jalandhar.
Tour
From Jalandhar to Hoshiarpur where met Mahant Tara Singh and Sant Dhya Singh Mittey Twaneywale who were very nice mahapurkh who had lots of respect and piyar for sewa. On to Una Sahib gurdwara where met mahapursh Madhsuden Singh who were from Guru Nanak Dev Ji's family, then back to Jalandhar.
Tour
Jalandhar to Phagwara to Namasher to Roper to Chandigarh to Sector 19 gurdwara where met Jorawar Singh and Mohan Singh Rangila, on to Kalka and Solar and on to the picturesque Shimla. Very cold in Shimla but the scenery and views were beautiful stayed for 1 month doing kirtan and parchar then back to Jalandhar.
Tour
Stayed home for a while attending to family matters then on to Pathankote where there is a military gurdwara base and celebrated gurpurbh here and then on to Jammu. Met an old man who was very sad because his taxi driver son had been in accident and a person died and now he was being prosecuted and they were demanding the death penalty. Looking at the plight of the old man Baba Ji also became very emotional. Baba Ji did adraas and later found out that the son had been freed. The old man and son later travelled all the way to Jalandhar to pay their respects and to give thanks. Meanwhile, on to Uddaipur to Rambagh to Sirinagar to the B50 sector military gurdwara where did kirtan and parchar. On to Tangmarag and Gullmarag to Nishadbagh to Shahi Chashma and back to Jalandhar. Onto Baba Vadbhag Singh Sodi asthan to Hoshiarpur and Baba Vadbhag mela where there were thousands of sangat attending and did kirtan. No meat or alcohol was allowed in the mela.
Tour
From Jalandhar to Mukharia to Uchasthan and did kirtan here and met a very spiritual Sant, then back to Mukharia and to Rampur Khaira where mat Sant Mahapurkh of great piyar. This place was mostly forest and unkept land and it was resident to many spirits raoming the place with no opening to leave this world. On to Talwara where met Bahi Sahib from Akhand Kirtani Jatha AKJ, on to Nangal to Ambh to Mansuri and Delhori and Pongdaam performing kirtan and parchar in every place they stopped, Model Town - Ragbir Singh and Mela Sing management comittee, met Gurbachan Singh Khera who owned a steel mill and had taken amrit from sanchar performed by Baba Ji's grandfather, Gurbachan Singh showed great respect and piyar for Baba Ji.
Tour
Accompanied with Sant Shangara Singh, from village Ibrahiemval to Ramidhar to Dhuma to Vanjola to Rupanpur to Kanjoli to Kapurthala. On to Jalawkhana to Tudiawal to Chakupur to Motival to Naseesaywal to Dhoti and on to Sultanpur and Lohia.
Tour
Jalandhar to Farozepur and performed kirtan at gurdwara dedicated to Guru Arjan Dev Ji and then back to Jalandhar. From Jalandhar to Batinda and on to Damdama Sahib Sabo-ki-Talwandi to Lakhi Jungle to Bikanare ti Mukatsar ti Buddha Jor to Fazalkar to Abor to Bhagta to Friedkote to Jagra and on to Nanaksar Jagra where met Sant Naraian Singh, Sant Mian Singh, Sant Kundan Singh and Sant Sadhu Singh. In Ganga Nagar performed kirtan where there were two old men who would sit in the middle of the sangat with a copy of Amrit Kirtan in their hands and every time any kirtania or ragi came and did kirtan they would look up the shabad being sung and follow it. If at any point the ragi made an error the two men would immediately stand up and point this out and shame and humiliate the kirtania infront of the whole sangat. Baba Ji came to know about this so when it was Baba Ji's turn for kirtan they sat on stage and the two men were in the sangat ready with their Amrit Kirtan. Baba Ji spoke to them, "by all means find the shabads that we are going to sing in your Amrit Kirtan, but if you cannot find a single one of them, then remain seated and do not bother us and do not bother any kirtania ever again." So, Baba Ji started their kirtan and sang all their shabads from Dasam Granth Sahib Ji and these shabads are not in Amrit Kirtan at all. The two men spent the whole time frantically looking through the Amrit Kirtan but found none of the shabads being sung and were humiliated themselves and agreed from then on not to criticize and shame any more ragi. Baba Ji then returned to Jalandhar.
From Jalandhar to Hoshiarpur to Dera Lashman Singh and performed amrit sanchar. This was around the time of the 1984 agitation and all Sikhs were in mortal danger. The government forces did not approve of amrit sanchar and when they heard of the one in Hoshiarpur they were on the search for Baba Ji. Baba Ji evaded them by leaving through a back door and proceeded to the local bus station. Even here the police were in search, the bus was stopped and inspected. Amrit sanchar is the right of the Sikhs and it was Baba Ji's mission so had to be done whatever the circumstances. Guru Ji protected Baba Ji and they returned to Jalandhar.
Accompanying Baba Ji was Ranjit Singh on harmonium and Thakur singh on table. From Jalandhar to Mitta Twana to Sabzi Mandi to Singh Sabha gurdwara in Hoshiarpur. To Adampur to Banpalka to Dhuli to Julibaksha and on to Pachranga to Kishangarh to Beas to Bilga and on to Talwan and Niroi and Niroa and to Chaurang to Patnoora to Tali and Shota Patnoora where there is a gurdwara dedicated to Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji where the sant were doing kar-sewa of the sarovar, did Akand Paath and Anand Karajs. On to Dasua to Asmaan Shahid village to Jandsagla where Gurbachan Singh did a annual smagam for Bhai Dalip Singh Shahid who was burned at Nankana Sahib, to Tali Sahib to Bura pind and back to Jalandhar. This was with Giani Gian singh.
From Jalandhar to Hoshiarpur to Saila to Mustuana and on to Chuggra and to Drolli and Dumaili to Kotephatui where lived Nirmal Singh from the UK who was part of the Akand Kirtani Jatha and Baba Ji performed kirtan in his residence , he was a very humble spiritual soul full of love. Then on to Hakimpura where met Baba Nihal Singh Harriavella-valley and did kirtan and on to Chachrari and Phagwara and back to Jalandhar.
From Jalandhar to Pathankote where performed kirtan at civil and military garrison and on to Jammu and Rajauri and Punsh, here found a group of 15 to 20 poor people who were very cold in the winter weather and had no means to keep warm. Baba Ji discussed this with the jatha and decided to use all their money to buy blankets for them which they handed out to the poor souls. They now had no money, but Baba Ji told the jatha to keep faith in Guru Nanak Dev Ji. When they got to Punash they met a soldier who took the jatha to his regiment to do kirtan, they did kirtan and received lots of donations from the listening sangat and the soldier took them back to his shop and gave them a large amount of cash afterwards also. Baba Ji was amazed that again Guru Ji had looked after them. Did kirtan also at the gurdwara at Punash and back to Jalandhar.
From Jalandhar to Rampur there met a sant Rampur Khareywale who were proper Brahmgiani and full of love and piyare. Their asthan used to to be full of bad spirits but these left the place once Sant Ji established their dera. Sant Ji were full of happiness and piyare for Baba Ji and provided a car for use while they were in the area. Returned back to Jalandhar.
With Sant Shangara Singh ji from Ibrahiemval to Baha Buddha to Amritsar and on to Patti to Sur Singh and Chubal and Bikimind and Khalra to Narli, in each town and village doing kirtan and parchar, and then back to Ibraheimval.
With Sant Shangara Singh Ji from Ibraheimval to Hamira to Lucknow to Sitapur and back to Ibraheimval.
With Sant Shangara Singh Ji from Ibraheimval to Jalandhar to Lucknow to Shiliguri to Julgaam and back to village.
With Sant Shangara Singh Ji from Ibraheimval to Pulpukhta to Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji gurdwara where there was a Nihang Singh shauni and stayed here for a while and back to village.
With Sant Shangara Singh Ji from Ibraheimval to Wudi Miani to Bansu to Sainpur to Jalalpur and on to Nangal and Saruwale where performed anad karaj and gurmat sanchar.
With Sant Shangara Singh Ji and Gian Gian Singh and Gurmakh Singh from Ibraheimval to Ramsuhai to Gurmakh singh Musafurs house where did kirtan and on to Makaria and Maksoodpur to Pandara and Baigowale where did kirtan with Bhoor Singh as stage secretery who was a beautifully humble person full of sewa. Joginder Singh, Bawa Singh and Harnam Singh observed annual barsi of Sant Prem Singh Ji. On to Mukari to Putan Pan to Gurdaspur and Dina Nagar and many local villages and back to home village.
From Ibraheimval to Ludiahana to Alamgeer to Pulai Sahib to Rara Sahib to Jamat and on to Malairkote and Sangroor amd on to Sunaam to Lairagaga to Braita Mandi and to Jakal and Patnra and back to Ibraheimval.
From Ibraheimval to Jalandhar to Kurlla and Kugi and Malrai to Nakodar and Kula Sangia to other local villages.
From Ibraheimval to Kapurthala to Thutta Tibba to Jeera Moga and back to home village.
With Sant Shangara Singh Ji from Ibraheimval to Pussivwal to Rapur to Lukhan Kay Puddy and on to Bomewal and Musterwal and Dhamma and back to home village.
From Ibraheimwal to Ambala and Duska to Rotipind to Haripur to Poorakh to Jiyoti Saroop to Pohawa to Goomthala and on to Kainthal and Kowakton to Mandi and Kongthali to Wudi Chaurasi and of course to Shoti Chaurasi and back to home village.
From Ibraheimwal to Polar to Santpura to Sewan and Cheeka and Majanwal and to Kiora and Phoona Plaat to Ajaibgarh and Kapial and Lausher and Samana and back to home village.
From Ibraheimwal to Ghugama to Asuwal to Gajaiwal to Rapur to Raia to Mirjapur and on to Baba Bakaley and Chaudriwal and Batala and back to home village.
With Sant Shangara Singh Ji from Ibraheimval to Nadala to Dhamuria to Rapur to Santpur and Dhalla and Model Town to Mana Talwandi and Wuda Panduri to Mehamatpur to Surkha to Ramgarh to Kartarpur to Plath and on to Kalila and Rapur and Pirbaksh and on to Maseewala and Plath to Kumrawa and Patnoora to Shota Patnoora and of course to Ucha Noora and on to Bhaganpur and Narainganj to Isharbucha and back to home village.
From Ibraheimval to Suhanpur and Amritsar and Bultoa and Kuleywalley
From Ibraheimval to Beas to Poorwaga and Poan Bhambri to Hargobindpura and back to Ibrahiemwal.
On a trip to Canada in the 80’s Baba Ji and his jatha went to the city of Montreal met Darshan Singh from Jalandhar. They visited the gurdwara which had been frequented by famous kirtania and katha vachaks. Set in the leafy suburbs of the city the gurdwara was attended by the local Sikhs. Baba Ji was scheduled to perform kirtan that day and as they walked into the gurdwara hall they found that many of the sangat was sitting in the darbar hall, in the hazuri of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, with heads uncovered. This was an outrage. Unlike in other faiths where the head is uncovered when entering a church, in Sikhism it is of the utmost importance that heads are covered, by both men and women, in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Through ancient Indian customs heads are always covered in the presence of royalty and who greater is there then Guru Granth Sahib Ji?
Baba Ji urged the sangat, especially the men folk, to cover their heads in front of Guru Ji but the men refused point blank. They insisted that it was not necessary to cover their heads in the darbar hall and that they would not cover. Baba Ji said that if that was the case they would not do kirtan until all heads were covered. The committee said that many other famous raggies had performed kirtan here, but Baba Ji said that they would not do kirtan until this disrespect of Guru Sahib Ji stopped. This developed into a power struggle with Baba Ji insisting that heads needed to be covered and a sizable portion of the sangat refusing to do so. This dragged on for many weeks and when Baba Ji returned to the area after visiting other Gurdwaray they sangat still refused to cover their heads. So, an agitation started until the sangat was forced to concede and cover their heads. Those same people who were refusing to cover their heads in the presence of Guru Sahib Ji are now amritdhari.
Musings - Pullia Visria Yadha.
Around 1978 there was an incident with the Narankari movement (also known as " Narak-dhari's ") where Sikhs had gone to them to discuss growing tensions and the Narakdharis had shot dead 13 Sikhs. Baba Ji was in Siliguri and performed jaap and kirtan in their memory. Baba Ji couldn't understand where the Sikhs are part of the fabric on a free country, they are so harassed and subjected to humiliating searches and inspection, be it on the trains, on buses, on the roads, cars or trucks? Baba Ji was stopped at many places at the time and the police would ask "Are you Nirankari?" to which Baba Ji would respond "No, we are Sikhs of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and only follow the maryadha of Akal Takhat." Baba Ji asked one policeman why they asked this question over and over again, one responded by saying that orders had come from the government that any Nirankari's were not be troubled but in fact assisted in their affairs but normal Sikhs were to be harrassed.
Once in Sitapur when Baba Ji and Jatha were getting on a bus the word on one single Hindu Lala was enough for Baba Ji's harmoniums and tabla to be taken off the seat so he could sit taking Babab Ji's seats. A big argument ensued and resulted, just then a police DSP arrived and asked what was happening, he spoke kindly. He was told that the jatha had bought tickets for the bus like everyone else and had boarded the bus but on the word of that Lala they were ordered off. The DSP asked if they were Narankari's , "no" Baba said " we oppose them fiercely , they killed our Sikh brothers and dishonor our faith". DSP told Baba Ji that the police assist Nirankaris as per orders from higher up. But this DSP was a kindly gentleman and ordered the baggage back on the bus and told everyone on board that no one was to smoke any tobacco whilst the Singh’s were on board.
On a tour through Bihar as the jatha got off the train they were stopped by a gang of thugs, they were the local mafia and when they were in town the locals would close their shops and put the shutters up they were that nervous about what they may do. The thugs told Baba Ji and companions to give them all their money and all they possessed. There are around 15 thugs and just Baba Ji and two companions. Baba Ji said that we are from the Punjab and were kirtanias of Guru Nanak and we have come to your land, you should not treat us like this. These words were like water poured over a stone, no effect. The thugs possessed iron bars and wooden staffs so the jatha drew their 3-foot long Siri-sahibs and a fight broke out. The fight fierce and brutal and lasted for long time in full view of the local people as this all happened in the main bazar. Eventually the thugs retreated having been thoroughly beaten. Baba Ji and jatha then reached the gurdwara and later in the evening did kirtan.
Once in Kolkata while doing kirtan at the Dunlop factory in Kunchrapura area of the city Baba Ji asked a local how it was living in such a place? He said in the 1955 people harassed us a lot and when one person would start others would come over and gather and turn into a mob. It was the local Muslims who took us into their shops and homes and sheltered us from the Hindu mob. If they saw trucks with photos of the Gurus they would attack them so the drivers started to put any photos of the Gurus inside the drivers cabin and painted pictures of Kali-mata on the outside.
Once in Nepal performed kirtan in Golakpur and Birganj and travelled all night on the truck to Kathmandu where there is a gurdwara in Kunti-Bhavan. Within the complex lived two spirits one of a sadhu and one of a lady from a royal household. In the night Baba Ji could sense them and started reciting Jaap Sahib and other bani's. Baba Ji asked the spirits of their woe's and did ardaas for them, the spirits then disappeared.
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