Nirmal Singh Khalsa
Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa is a "Hazoori Ragi" (residential priest/singer) at Sri Darbar Sahib (popularly referred to as the Golden temple in some parts of the world), Sri Amritsar, Punjab, India.
Born in 1952 in Ferozepur, Punjab, he obtained a diploma in gurmat sangeet from the Shaheed Missionary College, Amritsar in 1976. He served as a music teacher in Gurmat College, Rishikesh, in 1977 and in Shaheed Sikh Missionary College, Sant Baba Fateh Singh, Sant Channan Singh, Budha Johar, Ganga Nagar, Rajasthan, in 1978. From 1979 till date, he has been serving as ‘Hazoori Raagi’, Sach Khand Sri Harmandir Sahib. He has also performed Kirtan at all the five Takhts, historical Gurdwaras in India and 53 other countries. He is one of the finest raagis having knowledge of all the 31 Raagas in Gurbani of Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
For his services in the field of "arts", he was awarded the Padma Shri award[1] (India's fourth highest civilian award) by the government of India in 2009.[2] He is the first hazoori raagi to receive this award.
References
- ^ http://india.gov.in/myindia/myindia_frame.php?id=14, "Padma Awards at the Govt of India Portal".
- ^ http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090401/jal.htm#1, Bhai Nirmal Singh gets Padma Shree.