Gurdev Singh is one of the world's foremost exponents of the Sarod and is now becoming well known internationally through performances in the USA, Canada, India and UK.
Gurdev Singh was born in 1948 in India. He began learning music at the age of seven with Ustad Tara Singh and Piara Singh who taught him to play the Dilruba, an ancient bowed instrument, which Gurdev still plays. He was also trained in vocal music under Mahadeo Prasad.
In 1967 Gurdev became a disciple of the world famous Sarod Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan in Delhi and was introduced to the Sarod with the Holy patronage of H. H. Shri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji. The Sarod is an extremely demanding instrument. It is capable of an extraordinary range of sounds, from haunting sweetness to dazzling speed and power. Gurdev Singh has now spent over twenty years learning to master it. His success can be measured by his popularity in India, in both live and radio concerts, and by the increasing international demand for his performances.
His UK performances have included the BBC, Midland TV, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Bath and Oxford University, the 1984 Liverpool Garden Festival and South Bank. In North America he has played in Vancouver; New York, Los Angeles, Seattle University and the prestigious Amir Khusro Society in Chicago. He has also visited Switzerland, Denmark, Germany and other European countries. Every year Gurdev pesrforms in major festivals held all over India.
SUKHVINDER SINGH NAMDHARI (Pinky) is one of India's most dynamic tabla players who is recognized worldwide for his unique style of playing.
Sukhvinder Singh was born in Punjab, India. He was brought up In the holy village of Sri Bhaini Sahib, district Ludhiana. It was here that Sukhvinder embarked on his musical career. Sri Bhaini Sahib is a spiritual Ashram, a shrine where His Holiness Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji is the spiritual leader of the Namdhari community.
Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji, himself is a very learned and creative individual who is regarded highly by maestros such as Pt. Kishan Maharaj, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ustad vilayat Khan, Pt. Rajan Sajan Mishra, Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma, the late Pt Shanta Prasad Mishra, and Ustad Bismillah Khan.
When Sukhvinder Singh was only five years old, Sri Satguru Ji realised his potential and destiny. He began teaching him Hindustani Classical music and noticed the natural gift of "laya and taal" he had within him and made him a disciple of the late Pakhawaj Samrat, Ustad Nihal Singh .
Sukhvinder Singh gave his first major public performance at Satguru Pratap Singh Sangeet Samelan in the Birla Mateshwari Hall, Mumbai, 1978.
Later in 1978, Sukhvinder left his home and family to study tabla in the traditional GURUKUL, Guru Shishya Parampara, under none other than the legendary Tabla Maestro, Pandit Kishan Maharaj, the doyen of the famous Banaras Gharana.
Sukhvinder devoted his childhood and formative years to the study of Tabla, completing the rituals of the student seva, and rigorous riyaaz. These factors combined have produced a phenomenal performer who is sought after by many of India's eminent musicians. He is known for his keen capability to capture the audience with his spontaneity, power, and virtuosity during his performances.
Sukhvinder has performed across the globe with the eminent Sarod virtuoso, Ustad Amjad All Khan. Some of the venues include: Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan memorial, New Delhi BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall, London House of Commons, London Kennedy Centre, USA SAARC Festival Dhaka Times of India 150th anniversary, Mumbai Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, New Delhi.
Sukhvinder has performed with India's legendary Sitarists, Pt. Ravi Shankar and Ustad Vilayat Khan, renowned flautist Pt.Hari Prasad Chaurasia, and vocalists none other than, Pt. Rajan Sajan Mishra, and Pt. Jasraj.
Sukhvinder has toured extensively across USA and India with Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. He played on the famous CD, which won a Grammy Award In 1994, "A Meeting by the River". Sukhvinder has more than 40 CD's in the markets worldwide.
Sukhvinder has also been a featured soloist with BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in London.
Sukhvinder Singh bases himself in New Delhi and Birmingham, UK
Navinder Singh, only in his early twenties, is one of the most inspiring young tabla players based in England. Navinder has been brought up in a musical environment, as his father Gurdev Singh is a well-known Sarod player. Navinder is a disciple of the renowned Tabla player Shri Sukhvinder Singh Namdhari, disciple of maestro PL Kishan Maharaj of Benaras Gharana (style). Navinder's tabla style reflects the dynamism and strength of his teacher in rhythmic play.
Navinder has given solo performances and accompanied vocal, instrumental, dance and fusion music. He also accompanied internationally renowned musicians such as Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, his father Shri Gurdev Singh (sarod), Ustad Shahid Parvez (Sitar), Smt Priya Pawar (dance) and Shri Satish Vyas (santoor). He has played in various famous music festivals in India and all over the Europe. Navinder is available for solo performances, accompaniment with dance, instrumental, and vocal and experimental work.
Kiranpal Singh
A leading SANTOOR player born in Dar-es-Salaam,Tanzania, EastAfrica, on 13th December 1957 and subsequently educated in England, Kiranpal Singh's first music study was the tabla, which he pursued under the guidance of Shree Ripudaman Singh of Panjab Gharana from 1970 to 1977.
His potential as an artiste of the highest calibre was recognised by His Holiness Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji Maharaj, spiritual guide and leader of the Namdhari Sikhs, on a visit to the UK, and His Holiness bountifully arranged for Kiranpal to be sent to Bombay to study Santoor in the traditional way under Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma.
He completed twelve years of study as an outstanding student, mastering the subtleties and intricacies of the instrument in such a commanding way, that he is now recognised as a leading disciple of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, and in his own right as the principal Santoor player in Europe.
Kiranpal has settled in England since 1987 and has gained respect and admiration for his various perfor-mances in the UK, Europe and beyond, in recitals, festivals and lecture demonstrations. Admired by both audiences and critics, his mastery of the advanced techniques of the instrument, combined with a creative flair and spontaneous imagination, has developed a recognisable individuality in his performances. This, in turn, has led him to be sought after as a co-leader of groundbreaking develop-mental and cross-cultural projects, whilst continuing to advance the presentation of Indian Classical music to ever widening audiences through his solo work.
Kiranpal has released three compact disc with Multitone Records Ltd, in the UK. 1. STRINGS OF ELEGANCE - Raga Chandrakauns and Sindhi Bhairavi 2. RAGA SHREE 3. MOMENTS IN TIME - Raga Kaunsi Kanhra and Bhairvi Dhun
Sukhdev Singh and Mohan Singh are both disciples of Pandit Rajan - Sajan Misra, the present vocal kings of Indian Classical Music.
They were born at Bhaini Sahib, started learning from Ustad Mohinder Singh and Ustad Harbhajan Singh right from their childhood. They are still getting training in traditional style from Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji Maharaj.
They have appeared on the big stage in India, Thailand, Kenya and have been well received.
See also: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030406/spectrum/main1.htm
