Scotland | 5 Aug 2015 | Asia Samachar |
The Sri Dasmesh Pipe Band (Malaysian Sikh Band), probably the most established Sikh bag pipers in the world, yesterday (4 Aug 2015) paid tribute to the last Sikh Emperor Maharaja Duleep Singh.
The band, which is in Scotland to compete in the world pipe band championships Bridge of Allan Games, had performed at the Kenmore Church Yard where one of Maharaja Duleep Singh’s infant unnamed son of one day was laid to rest.
“So few know that Maharaja Daleep Singh had lived for close to 2.5 years at Castle Menzies in Perthshire, Scotland. It was an amazing afternoon as we were joined by locals from all walks of life to pay tribute and show respect, to the last Sikh Emperor,” according to the band update at its Facebook [See handle: Sri Dasmesh Pipe Band].
Duleep Singh, also spelt as Dalip Singh, was Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s youngest son and the only child of Maharani Jind Kaur. He was exiled to Britain at the age of 15, and his letters to mother in later years were intercepted by the British in India.
On the same day, the band members had also joined members of Glasgow-based Seva Scotland to distribute food to the homeless.
Seva Scotland is a group of volunteers from the Scottish Sikh community whose mission is to feed those in need by providing free food to the less fortunate. [Facebook handle: Seva Scotland].
“We were amazed to see close to 60 persons come to receive a hot meal. Not only did this youth serve them a meal, what amazed us even more is that they knew the names of many of the recipients and took time to speak to them. This was truly an inspiring team that is making a difference to serve humanity,” the band updated on its Facebook page.
In an update on 3 Aug, the band had this so say:
We had our first experience competing at the Bridge of Allan competition yesterday. Never have we seen and heard so many pipe bands!!
It was the first time also for most of the band members to watch and hear Grade 1&2 bands play. The perfection is something that we are inspired towards.
As for our Grade 4B competition, we managed a 16th placing out of 22 bands. Not bad for our first competition.
Tuning under the Scottish weather conditions was challenging and of course the anxiety of being in such a competition had everyone on the edge. Hoping to improve by the next weekend.
Would be grateful if members of the public could help fund us as well. Please go to sridasmesh.com and make an online donations.
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
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