Davinder Singh started his musical career at the age of twelve. After graduating from Punjab University in vocal music, he moved to Surrey in 2010 with the intention of spreading more awareness about ancient ragas and string instruments that have been used for centuries in the Indian Classical music tradition. In an age where the music market is flooded with albums infused with technical sounds, and new singers are emerging every day, it was great to meet this expert in the Indian Classical Music Tradition. A highly acclaimed musician and the winner of numerous awards for his expertise in the Taar Shehnai, he shared with us his journey into the world of music.
Davinder's parents were connected to the roots of Gurbani through Shri Bhaini Sahib where we moved in 1994. Shri Bhaini Sahib is a place of worship which is totally immersed in the culture of traditional Gurbani music. Music and holy verses are recited twenty-four hours in the ancient classical traditions that can be traced to the time of the Gurus. His parents were always keen to teach him the art of music, both vocal and instrumental. With their encouragement he started singing at the age of twelve. He grew up listening to great artists like Ustad Zakir Hussain, Pandit Hari Prasad, Vilayat Khan Sahib, and Shahid Parvez. This inculcated in him an interest and love for classical Indian music. At Bhaini Sahib, extreme focus was placed on preservation of Gurbani Kirtan that was recited more than half a century ago. These recitals were held by Rababis in the ancient Ragas. Our Gun' Partap Singh Ji brought them to Bhaini Sahib for training the youth and singers with a purpose of preserving and honoring these ancient traditions.
Davinder started his musical journey as a vocalist. Shri Satgur Jagjit singh encouraged him to learn from the Ustads (expert musical teachers) and gain expertise in this form of art. From 1998 to 2003,Davinder learned the Dilruba after which he started learning the Taar Shehnai. His training in 'Taar Shehnai is ongoing and he still exploring and learning the nuances of this instrument. Davinder have also completed his masters degree in vocal music from Punjab University; Chandigarh. He feel that it is difficult to find the same musical environment in any institute today as there is at Punjab University.Davinders vocal teachers, Ms. Neelam Paul and Mr. Arvind Kumar are experts in Indian Classical.
Indian classical music is very close to Davinder's heart and his life is dedicated to the service of this art. All the ragas in Guru Granth Sahib are based on Indian Classical music. Ragas like Majh and Sohi are sung very less. It will not be uncommon if a person does not listen to these ragas in a lifetime even if they follow Kirtan regularly. Different Ragas are recited and played at different times of the day. His favorite ragas are morning and evening ragas. Some of the morning Ragas are Bhairav, Todi, Vilaskhani, and Jaunpuri. Evening Ragas include Bhagyashari, Raage-shri, Yaman and Mal kaouns. These are ancient ragas that are going on from centuries.
About Taar Shehnai- Taar Shehnai is a musical instrument that was made by modifying the Issraj about 60 years ago. Somebody tried the gramophone on Issraj and realized that it sounds like a Shehnai. Thus the Taar Shehnai was discovered. The first Ustad of Taar Shehnai was Ustad Piara Singh from the village Daska in Pakistan. The instrument travelled to India through Ustad Baljit Singh.