By Asia Samachar | Malaysia |
An economic analyst by day and a rabab enthusiast by evening — that’s a fitting way to describe 26-year-old Manpal Singh, a familiar face at major kirtan programmes in Malaysia.
Years of training in kirtan and rabab came to a milestone moment on Monday (Dec 8), when Manpal was given the opportunity to accompany a kirtan jatha at the Darbar Sahib, Harmandar Sahib, Amritsar. Programmes from the Darbar Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple, are broadcast live daily. Manpal was on duty from 12pm to 1pm (India time).
“I didn’t know which jatha I’d be joining until I met them. I just hoped to play properly and support the kirtan. I was also hoping for no mishaps, as the rabab can go off tune easily — it’s very sensitive to temperature changes,” he told Asia Samachar.
He eventually played alongside a jatha led by Bhai Arvinder Singh.
“Since beginning my kirtan journey at the age of seven, every step has been blessed by Guru Sahib, the endless love of my family, and the blessings of my teachers and the many kirtanis and ustaads who have shared their knowledge and time with me,” he added.
Manpal began his kirtan tutelage under the late Bhai Tirlochan Singh of Malaysia. He later trained in rabab and raag kirtan under Bhai Jugmeet Singh and Bhai Parampreet Singh at the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Academy Malaysia. He also learnt tabla briefly under Master Pardeep at the Temple of Fine Arts Malaysia.
His vocal training began under Sri Arvinder Raina and continues today under Sri Swaraansh Mishra of the Banaras Gharana and Shri Ravindra Parchure of the Gwalior Gharana.
Professionally, Manpal works as a Senior Economic Analyst at PwC Malaysia. He previously worked in Singapore and holds a BSc in Economics from University College London (Class of 2021). He is an alumnus of the Kuala Lumpur-based Sri Dasmesh International School.
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