1 March. Still in Malaysia. Went to my favourite Batu Caves (Kuala Lumpur) at 6.30am. for my 'dhosa' and 'cha' with my good friend Menjit Singh. We were joined by good friend Joe Mohinder Singh Sohi. He wanted to see and experience my 'amritvela' at Batu Caves and especially our hot springs in Selayang Baru. I think he enjoyed himself as we had to drag him out at 9am after we had oiled and steamed and cleaned our bodies to satisfaction, to the name of 'Waheguru'!

Joined Malkeet Singh of Bloomingdale (graphics) at his in-laws in Rawang for a private bhog ceremony on Saturday followed by a visit to Gurpuri - an orphanage run by a true Panth Sevadhar, Giani Sukhdev Singh. This is an orphanage of about 50 children which he runs with donated funds. A very worthwhile cause if I may say so by a 'secha-sucha' sevadhar whose only motivation is sewa towards those in need. He is considering purchasing further premises to run a shelter for battered women. If anyone wants to know more get in touch with me and I shall furnish further details.

OPENING OF NEW GURDWARA IN KUANTAN (9-11Mar.)

A finely built gurdwara with exquisite touches - for example, five low pillars behind the 'prakash' standing like sentinels behind the altar with lovely baskets of flowers resting on top. At last I see the Granthi Sahib get some decent lodgings rather than 'just one of the rooms'.

Vet. surgeon Bhajan Singh, the El Presidento, is a good friend. It was a pleasure making my contribution with an hour long 'Multifaith Open Program' and it was encouraging to see a good number of non-Sikhs come for the program. We also had the honour of doing the first Asa-Dhi-Var (morning musical prayers) on the Monday morning launching '101 Akhand Paths'. I was ably joined by a group of gentlemen who I can now proudly say are my 'jatha members' in Malaysia. Thank you lawyers Harcharanjit Singh 'Raja', Balvinder Singh Kenth, Inderpal S (tabla), Ravinder S (didgeridoo, djembe), Inderjeet S (Miri).

I also had another motive to go to Kuantan. A good spiritual/naturopath masseur who has picked up this art of curative massage for various ailments. I believe he can help me with my 'dharan' - a stomach ailment which has dogged me since teenagehood and which western physicians do not seem to know about. He carried out two two hour sessions on me but needs to do more. I hope to go back to see him in the near future.

Flight back to Melbourne - 15 Mar.

A KIRTAN SERVICE MADE IN HEAVEN

Once in a while a program of kirtan comes up which is like 'hajri in heaven'. One day after arrival I was on my way to Sydney for a very special kirtan program on Saturday 17th. The Gambhirs are a Sydney based Gursikh family. Headed by matriach Mata Avinash Kaur, son Ravinder and daughter-in-law Surinder Kaur have two sons Anuraj and Simran. Four grandchildren to Ravinder and Surinder have now arrived and it was time for a grand celebration. Seven years earlier they had some food in a restaurant at a place called Bulli Point, south of Sydney, just north of Wollongong. The restaurant is on a cliff overlooking a huge bay and a grand view of the ocean. As they sat there taking in this wonderful view they wished for a special program with Baba Ji, kirtan and close friends to celebrate life in the same location. It came to be - four lovely grandchildren, three of whom are born on the same day last year and a special 'thanksgiving' service.

As a 'guru-ka-musician' of sorts, it is a defining moment in life when you do such a program because the 'sangat' has travelled out of their way to have a good uplifting time. A mixed sangat of 200. I had the honour of having some good musicians in Joshua Bennett on dilruba and Rameen (from Afghanistan) on tabla. I was also joined by good friend S. Jasvinder Singh Maan and my lovely daughter Harsel. One and a half hour of kirtan and simran was a glimpse of heaven. The program was enjoyed with great bliss by all. Thank You 'Gambhirs' for a 'Sachkhand' moment!

Sunday morning - 'simran service' at 6am attended by about 40 at S. Kulvinder Singh Ji's abode. I found out that my oldest daughter jamel had been hosted by them in Kobe when she went to Japan on a work visa about 15 years ago!

Stayed with my middle daughter Harsel in her flat in Sydney. She is doing well in her new job as an Accounts Manager with an international IT personnel 'salary-packaging' company.

Back to Melbourne and then Adelaide this weekend.

Weekend 24/25th.
Adelaide Arts Festival concert at Space Theatre on Sunday at 3pm. On stage - Quentin, Josh, Jay (new tabla player), and I. This was a laid back more traditional concert and about 150 audience (die-hard fans really) enjoyed a very serene afternoon. Good to be part of the Adelaide Arts Festival at last!

Sikh colleague (Rev.) Jasvinder Singh Maan who is temporarily staying at the Adelaide gurdwara and carrying out the Sikh community services at present organised a Forum on Saturday besides two Asa Di Vars and Sunday service kirtan. Healthy attendance (by Adelaide standards!) at the Forum titled 'Bhangra, Bollywood and Spirituality'.

Outcome - 'naam simran' is the catalyst for a balanced life within Sikhi. Forum was a great success and we also carried out two sessions of 'naam simran' exercises. Enjoyed by all.

Back to Melbourne by Thursday after two days in studio with Quentin and Darren working on "Kaur Dha Taur' for Bicky Singh and sikhpoint.com and also 'live' world music recording of the group.

Friday night. Rain Sabhayee kirtan in Tej Panesar's abode in Wheeler's Hill.

Tej had requested for Asa Di Var from me at the end of this Rain Sabhayee or kirtan in the program. I was not able to committ myself but happened to be in Melbourne on Friday and decided to go accompanied by my daughter Jamel. It was my pleasure to see keen kirtan enthusiasts gathered. Tej and family had lovingly prepared their main hall with Baba Ji's presence. The ragis gave their best. I was honoured to be asked to do 'hajri' even though not on the program. Pleasure to know that there are kirtan lovers in Melbourne who sit down and enjoy some classical kirtan. The ragis gave their best as they saw keen listeners. Truly - 'Teha baikunth jeh kirtan tera.' devotees were still pouring in as I took my leave at about 11pm.

Saturday am. Regular 'naam simran' service of Sikh Simran Society, at 5, James Street, Noble Park, Melbourne. It was a pleasure as my daughter Jamel with her children slept in the lounge and joined in.

31st. Saturday - Brunswick Music Festival concert. Dheeraj, Andrew Clermont and new member Lucy (flute) flew in to join my daughters Jamel and Parvyn for an eventful and moving two hour concert at the Brunswick Town Hall. Good turnout of non-Sikh Australian fans BUT, only a handful of Sikhs even though there was good publicity. One Sikh family (from the Gambhir family: see 'Kirtan Service Made in Heaven' - above) who were on holiday from Sydney heard about it and turned up. They had seen our concerts in UK in the past and organised the kirtan two weekends ago in Sydney.

One Sikh fan who turned up made a remark about Sikh absence at our concert even though there was publicity, which needs to be quoted. "Dya Singh Ji, your kirtan is misunderstood by our own people who are used to the 'three-uniformed-member, two vajas, one jori' type of jathas. They think 'that' is kirtan. Your kirtan for them is as good as 'trying to sell mirrors to the blind!" (UNQUOTE).

A thought from Kanvar Ranvir Singh of Learning Zone which a friend sent me which I include here for posterity ...

Guru Arjun figured brahmin Jaidev and Muslim Farid for a Sikh, and
Guru Nanak considered Prahlad as a Sikh - if they are teaching
different paths why are they in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji?

Lord Buddha spoke of a Sikh as one who won the race of life...Siddha
Gosht speaks of Gurmat arising from the First Breath - who then are
the Sikhs down the ages, who are the Sikhs today?

Remember Japji Sahib asks, "kiv sachiara hoye?" How does one become
Truth-Full, Living Truth, not how does one become a Sikh?

Have we then demeaned Gurmat by trying to tie it to a religion,
complete with priests, intricate rituals and traditions, and temples
or is it rather the end of religion, "Namastang Amazbe" - I salute
That beyond religion?

UNQUOTE.

A very Happy Khalsa (Vesakhi) Day to all readers. Hope you make some worthy 'resolutions' to pursue to gain more out of life. May I suggest that 'YOU' resolve to do 'naam simran' on a daily basis to bring greater balance into your life.

PS - Do you know that our Sikh New year starts one month BEFORE Vesakhi?