By Asia Samachar | Thailand |
For Bhai Harinder Singh, sound is not a decorative layer added to spiritual life; it is the medium through which meaning, calm and connection emerge.
The lead voice of Nirvair Khalsa Jatha (NKJ) reflected on how kirtan and Gurbani continue to resonate far beyond Sikh congregations.
“There’s no formal ‘work’ in the traditional organisational sense. What we do comes from a place of love and devotion to kirtan and serving humanity through Gurbani,” he told Bangkok-based magazine Masala ahead of his on-going kirtan tour.
Harinder described the jatha as “simply a collective blessed by Guru Sahib to share Gurbani and help people connect with themselves and with the Supreme, Universal Waheguru.”
That emphasis on inward connection has shaped his journey since childhood. Growing up in the UK, Harinder felt drawn to Sikhi early, despite not coming from a particularly religious household. A pivotal moment came during a visit to India as a teenager.
“I saw people who had so little materially, yet carried such genuine joy and peace,” he said. “It made me realise that peace doesn’t come from the outside; it comes from within.”
Today, that insight informs both his compositions and live divans. Recorded tracks are carefully produced to match the emotional core of each shabad, while congregational settings remain intuitive and responsive.
“For divans, we choose shabads based on themes that are deeply needed in today’s world, especially mental health and depression,” he noted, adding that Gurbani has addressed these issues since the time of Guru Nanak.
Harinder’s bicultural upbringing has also helped broaden kirtan’s reach. With much of the accompanying katha delivered in English, he sees the message as inherently inclusive.
“You don’t have to be Sikh to connect with it. The connection is to the One, and that is something every community can resonate with.”
That universality is evident in the global reception of “Sukh Tera Dita Laeeai”, a shabad that has crossed linguistic and religious boundaries.
“We sang it without any idea of the impact it would have. We’ve received messages from Hindu, Muslim, and many other communities saying the shabad helped them connect spiritually,” he said.
As he prepares to engage the Thai-Sikh community, Harinder’s message remains grounded and practical.
“True connection begins with understanding Gurbani,” he said. “Even one small step in that direction can bring immense peace and clarity.”
The jatha’s programmes are now going on in Bangkok.
Read the full interview here.
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