Grand Basant Keertan Darbar at Sikh Center of Orange County

Prof. Ranjit Singh singing in Raag Basant.

By RAVINDER KAUR
SANTA ANA, CA – Bhai Mardana Institute of Gurmat Music and the Sikh Center of Orange County organized the second Basant Keertan Darbar at Gurdwara Santa Ana on February 21 evening from 6pm to 11pm. As many as 9 eminent Raagi and Keertani Jathas participated in the Basant Keertan Darbar, every Jatha singing only in Raag Basant and regaling hundreds of music lovers. The Basant Darbar commenced at 6pm with two children Sur Shabad Parivaar Jathas of Mardana Institute of Gurmat Music. 

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Raagi Jatha Bhai Amrik Singh Gurdas puri performing classical keertan.

Children performing Keertan in Raag Basant.

Hazoori Raagi Jatha Bhai Surinder Singh of Santa Ana Gurdwara followed. Third generation Raagi Jatha of Legendari Bhai Sahib Bhai Dharam Singh Zakhmi of Adam Pur Doaba, Bhai Bhavandeep Singh and Jasdeep Singh enthralled the large congregation. The renounced Raagi Jatha of Bhai Amrik Singh Gurdaspuri specially flew here from New York to take part in the Basant Keertan Darbar. Brilliant Raagi Bhai Anantvir Singh, former Hazoori Raagi of Riverside Gurdwara sang three Shabads in different sects of Raag Basant. Former Hazoori Raagi from Kenya, Buena Park and Riverside, Giani Beant Singh Bijli, accompanied by his accomplished son, regaled the sangat. Prof. (Ustad) Ranjit Singh, the founder of Bhai Mardana Institute of Gurmat Music who had also started ceremonially holding the Basant Keertan Darbar every year nine years ago in Southern California, mesmerized the audience with his classical Gurbani music skil and expertise. Avtar Singh Mann, former President of the Orange County Sikh Center, coordinated the Keertan Darbar. Ravinder Kaur ably and musically conducted the program. The Basant Keertan Darbar was telecast live by GET (Punjabi) T.V. Channel