Bhai Harjinder Singh (Srinagar Wale)
A Gurbani kirtan singer who revived old ragas and has sung at the Golden Temple since 1986, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2025.
Bhai Harjinder Singh is one of the best-known voices of Gurbani kirtan, the singing of Sikh scripture. In 2025 he was named for the Padma Shri in the field of art, from Punjab [1].
Training in Gurmat music
He was born on 1 April 1958 in Ballarh Wal village in Gurdaspur district [2]. After finishing school in 1975, he studied Gurmat literature and raga music for three years at the Shaheed Sikh Missionary College in Amritsar [2].
From Srinagar to the Golden Temple
From 1980 to 1983 he was the resident raagi at a gurdwara in Amira Kadal, Srinagar, which is how he came to be known as “Srinagar Wale” [2]. He then served at gurdwaras in Ludhiana before turning to independent kirtan in 1989 [2]. He has sung regularly at Sri Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple in Amritsar, since 1986 [2].
His first cassette, Sab Desh Paraya, came out in 1985; he has since recorded more than 700 shabads, and is known for reviving old ragas [2].
Service
Through his Bhai Ladha Ji Parupkari Organisation he helps people in need of all faiths, and he is on the executive of a group that serves free langar in government hospitals across Punjab [2]. The Akal Takht has given him the title “Shiromani Panthak Raagi” [2].
Sources
- [1] Padma Awards 2025: list of awardees — Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Accessed 11 October 2026.
- [2] Padma Awards 2025: citation for Bhai Harjinder Singh (Srinagar Wale) — Padma Awards, Government of India. Accessed 11 October 2026.
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