|
 t the age of 82. Prof Kartar Singh is still as enthusiastic bout music as ever. He has dedicated 69 years of his life to music and he says music is the only legacy he would like to leave behind. Based in Ludhiana, Singh is the recipient of the Akademi Award for Gurbani Sangeet presented to him by Indian President Pratibha Patil.
"I have never been concerned with receiving accolades for my musical efforts. It has always been my passion for the art form that has driven me," he says simply. He was even granted the opportunity to perform his ragas at the second day ceremony of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. "I was able to spread the message of love and humanity through the medium of Gurmat Sangeet," he shares. A string instrument player, Singh believes in keeping the tradition of Gurbani music alive. "I want to re-introduce traditional instruments in today's world, which has forgotten the beauty of classical hymns. I teach my students to be the messengers of traditional music - to keep the art alive against all odds" he shares. He has mastered several Indian classical string instruments, specifically the 'tanpura', 'suramandal' and 'dilruba', which is an adaptation of the sitar, played like a violin. Interest in Gurmat Sangeet among youth has diminished over the years, says Singh. "Gurmat Sangeet is time consuming as it is so comprehensive and complex. The youth of today is looking for fast ways to success. Today, success is measured through |
money and fame instead of satisfying the soul. People have become highly materialistic. The desire for possessions is overpowering the love people had for brotherhood, which is the key to a rich culture. So, it becomes all the more difficult to walk a different path in life and develop a love for this art" he explains. Singh has a comprehensive back-ground in music. He started to learn kirtan at the age of 13 under the guidance of Giani Gureharan Singh. At age 17 Singh performed his first kirtan at Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Pakistan, where he continued to do kirtan for a year. He dedicated the next 20 years of his life to it, singing in various parts of Punjab. At the same time, he continued to pursue his education in music. He completed his graduation in music and attained numerous other degrees from Punjab University, Chandigarh. Hans Raj Mahila MahaVidyalaya. Jalandhar,and Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh. In 1968 at the age of 10, Singh decided to take up teaching and joined Malwa Central College of Education for Women, Ludhiana. where he taught raagas to the students. |
 He went on to become the head of the music department at Guru Nanak Girls College. Ludhiana, where he stayed on for 27 years. Since 1999, the professor has been the Director of the Gurtnat Sangeet Academy; at Sri Anandpur Sahib. Ropar. His achievements are many. He is an expert in rare taus. he has composed 372 ragas and is known for his unique style of recital. He has authored five books that cover more than 193 shabad compositions of all the 32 mishrit ragas of the Guru Granth Sahib. He has also released 16 cassettes containing shabads in different ragas. The professor's contribution to music has won him seven awards including the 'Shiromani Raagi Award', 'Mai Jaimaa! Singh Memorial Award'. 'Padina Shri Sohan Singh Memorial Award' and the 'Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2008)'. And as part of his mission to revive the musical traditions of India, Singh now plans to hold classical Indian music classes in Chandigarh. |
want to reintroduce