Young exponent and vocalist, Delhi-based Dr Harpreet Kaur pays her personal and warm tribute to eminent Gurbani musicologist and singer Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa, who recently passed away succumbing to COVID-19 infection. Bhai Nirmal Singh was decorated by the Sikh community, the world of music and the Indian government with state honours. 

BHAI NIRMAL SINGH KHALSA WAS BORN WITH A DIVINE FIRE of music within him.  Son of a humble farmer with no musical training in the family, he reached the pinnacle of glory in the field of Gurbani singing and Gurbani music.

Rendering Gurbani in the Hindustani musical notes -Raags, as mentioned by Gurus in Guru Granth Sahib, he was one of the few shining stars in the galaxy of Gurbani Sangeet. Loved and admired across the world, every moment of his life was a lesson for his followers. True to his name, he was serene, clear, immaculate, pure.

Bhai Nirmal Singh was a permanent fixture at the holiest of holies Darbar Sahib Amritsar for decades -committed to his duty and devout to the core in his rendition and mannerism.

It is little known that even after his training as a Raagi -a musical exponent of the Word of Guru Granth Sahib, he became a student of the great musician of West Punjab -Ghulam Ali. Spending two years with him, he polished his musical skills.

Always serene and humble on the harmonium, I liked his smile while accepting the Indian state honour of Padamshri at the hands of Indian President Pratibha Patil in 2009.

His sudden death shocked the Sikhs and the world of divine music. He joined the few other world class musicians and singers who have been devoured by the Coronavirus syndrome since the last few weeks.

As a student of Gurbani Music, when this writer was working on her doctoral research, I had the privilege of interviewing him. Having listened to him during many a congregation, I was excited and humbled to meet him at his humble abode in Amritsar in November 2009      

Coming from small-town Alwar in Rajasthan, I was nervous to meet this musical stalwart in his living room decorated by a plethora of medals, trophies, honour and appreciation certificates.

Entering the room, Nirmal Singh humbly apologised that he did not make me wait for long. Very politely he asked me for a simple introduction. His humility, simplicity and down-to-earth personality made him a giant in his class.

He was very natural, simple, spontaneous, direct and clear with his answers to the questionnaire I had prepared. He was very helpful and imparted out-of-the-box knowledge without me asking questions.

I was amazed, happy and comfortable as my nervousness had vanished without me realising it.

I will cherish those precious moments spent with this great persona of Gurbani music for the rest of my life, which moments not only enabled me to finetune my research but also helped in learning about life and what life has to offer.

Bhai Nirmal Singh not only sang Gurbani but lived up to the Word of the Gurus. He never stopped learning. He told, “Learning has no age. Do not stop learning until you are alive.”

“Look, daughter, every student must work hard in attaining life goals without bothering about obstacles. My childhood and student life were full of struggles. Stay focused and you will achieve your destiny and do not hesitate to make mistakes, acknowledge them, rectify them and move forward.”

“Every student of Gurbani Music must have knowledge of all 31 Raags -musical notes, mentioned in Guru Granth Sahib,” he told me. He added, “Kirtan should be performed in Raags only.”

“Look, daughter, every student must work hard in attaining life goals without bothering about obstacles. My childhood and student life were full of struggles. Stay focused and you will achieve your destiny and do not hesitate to make mistakes, acknowledge them, rectify them and move forward.”

Let us all in the world of Gurbani music -as singers, musicians, Sangat and Gurdwara administrators make endeavours to ensure the flow of Gurbani in Raags defined by our Gurus. This will be the best tribute to Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa.

Dr Harpreet Kaur is a scholar of Gurbani Music.  She received her doctoral degree from Banasthali Vidyapeeth, Jaipur at the hands of the then President of India,  Pranab Mukherjee for her work “ Gurbani Sangeet Mein Prayukt Vividh Gayan Shailiyon Ka Vishleshnatmak Adhayan” – Analytical study of different singing styles in Gurbani Music. She lives in Delhi teaching music to children and youngsters.