February and March 2003 have been spent in Adelaide recording four albums. We released Dya Singh-along worldwide to plenty of enthusiasm but also controversies. This installment is all about that controversies.

First, the new recordings in the pipeline are :-

1. ‘Sandheya-wela Nitnam’ – Rehraas Sahib and Sohila. We decided to record this album in the appropriate raags where possible. Parvyn and Harsel (my two younger daughters) appear to like this and have done well on the albums. It is in contrast to Amritvela Nitnam which was in modern rhythms, rap etc. This album is sponsored by Patminderjit Singh of Mantin, Malaysia. There is discussion with SYCA (Sikh Youth Camps, Australia) to present both Nitnam cd’s as a package with a ‘gutka’ inside!
2. ‘Shahidhi’ – 8 kavetas sung by the children of the Singapore Sikh Education Choir and recorded initially in Singapore. Our engineers here, Quentin and Darren, have, I think done a marvelous job in putting in the music and generally polishing it up. It was completed and posted to SSEF on 18^th. March. (SSEF project)
3. ‘Naam – the inner journey.’ Initial recording is done. Now to complete it. A very laid back album exploring the recitation of ‘Satnaam’ and ‘Waheguru’. (Sponsored by Kamar Singh ‘Shinda’ of Fairfield, California)
4. Power Nitnam – rapid Nitnam for the stressed busy person who does not have time to complete his/her own Nitnam. JapJi Sahib, Jaap Sahib and Sawaiyay – all in twenty five minutes and Rehraas and Sohila in 15 minutes. To keep the busy person in touch until one is able to get into the position to do ones own Nitnam – the final aim. Also for Youth Camps to encourage youngsters to do minimum Nitnam. This album was requested by my good friends Chani and Googi Pangali from San Francisco. The ‘am’ Nitnam has been completed.

‘Dya Singh-along’ was well received by the sponsors very warmly but the controversies were imminent especially when our good friend from Baltimore, USA, Shyrone Kaur Ji, released it in the cybersangat. Then the proverbial hit the fan!!

One Amardeep Singh condemned it outright leading to some indignation from a few but then growing support. Amardeep took offence at words like – ‘I am bopping along to the Anand Sahib in rap’. Sacrilege! Gurbani being used for dancing and ‘rap’ being used. What next!! Gurbani Rock-n-roll!! Gurbani Hard Rock!! Where will it all stop!!! Etc. etc. One Hargurmit Singh called me a money-grabbing opportunist or words to that effect. A Gunneet Kaur condemned us for having non-Sikh musicians to sing gurbani – against the Rehat Maryadha!!

But, there was support from people like Dr. Gurpal Singh Bhullar who saw merit in our work in bringing youth back to Shabad-Guru.

My humble opinion.

My knowledge of understanding Shabad-Guru is basic but my love for gurbani is unquestionable. Gurbani should reach all human beings and should not be confined to gurdwaras and Sikhs. The vehicle of gurbani – the music stipulated by our Guru sahibans – especially raags and selected Punjabi folk melodies can be interpreted as to very narrow confines or more openly.

OUR INSISTENCE THAT WE HAVE A SPECIAL OR EXCLUSIVE KIND OF MUSIC TO CONVEY GURBANI AND WHICH GIVES PROPER UPLIFTMENT AND EMANCIPATION IS AS NAÏVE AS CHRISTIANS INSISTING THAT IT IS ONLY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST THAT WE CAN GET SALVATION OR MOSLEMS INSISTING THAT ONLY THROUGH PROPHET MOHAMED CAN ONE ATTAIN ALLAH!

Tour of USA starts in May 2003 with a ‘ripper’ of a program set up by Bicky Singh of sikhpoint.com for the LA/Orange C./San Diego region. So, more on the tour in my next installment…

With regards,

Dya Singh

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