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Bhai Avtar Singh (1925-2006) It is with great sorrow that the Sikh community acknowledges the loss of their most dedicated Gurbani Kirtania who passed away peacefully at about 10.50 PM (IST) on Friday, November 24th, 2006. Bhai Sahib was aged 81 years and was at his residence in India with his whole family present when this sad event took place. Bhai Sahib has always been an ardent exponent of Gurmat Sangeet and has practised the traditional style of Kirtan in keeping with the historic melodies of Guru's Ragas. He had travelled widely and his Sewa for the Panth will be dearly missed. Lately, he had stopped his journeys abroad as he was suffering with Leukaemia.
Many Gurdwaras around the world held services in his honor and prayers were said for the support of his departed soul and for the support of his family. May Waheguru shower His blessings on this faithful supporter of the Dharma and may the Almighty give strength to his family so they may be able to endure His Hukam.
Bhai Sahib's family has a direct historical connection linking them back to Ragis from the times of our Gurus. Bhai Sahib was born in 1925 to a Gursikh family; his father, Bhai Sahib Jwala Singh Ji was an accomplished Ragi, who imparted his knowledge of Gurmat Sangeet to Bhai Sahib Avtar Singh Ji and his older brother Bhai Sahib Gurcharan Singh Ji, who together were the eleventh generation exponents of Gurbani Kirtan. Their lineage extends from the times of our Gurus. It is from this past period during the creation of Sikhism that Bhai Sahib's family has been involved in Gurmat Sangeet. Bhai Sahib has devoted over sixty years of sharing and preserving the distinguished grace, aesthetics and spiritual heritage of this 400 years old Indian classical music traditions practising the ragas found in Gurbani and the talas of classical times. ... Continued.
