Mohinderjit Singh – On A Melodious Mission

M

ohinderjit

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ingh –

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n

A

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elodious

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ission

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Rajesh Subramanian

His demeanour is exceptionally phlegmatic and his thought process crystal clear. If he has mastered the intricacies of classical music after years of assiduity then he is equally generous in imparting and spreading his knowledge to talented budding singers. Whether as a commendable singer, a violinist of repute, a composer and a music teacher par excellence, renowned vocalist Mohinderjit Singh has carved a special niche for himself in the world of music. “A true singer doesn’t sing just from the throat. It has to come from deep within“, expounds Mohinderjitji sitting in the cool confines of his modest but cozy apartment at Yari road.

             Hailing from

Lahore

Mohinderjit Singh, who came to

India

in the aftermath of partition trained in classical music under the tutelage of the legendary composers Pt Husanlal and Pt Bhagatram. Though his musical odyssey started as a singer it wouldn’t be an understatement to say that he is a composer blessed with a creative capacity. His trained ears are accustomed to the various forms of music ranging from Hindustani classical, semi classical, ghazals, folk and devotional songs. He has also enhanced his compositions with components of western music which he learnt from Pandit Ram Prasad and Josic Menezas. Another hallmark about Mohinderjit Singh’s music is its originality, imagination and innovation within the traditional parameters. The soul-stirring quality is indeed his trademark. No wonder that veteran music director Naushad lavished praises on hearing his composition and eulogized, “Mohinderjit Singh’s music is bound to endure for long “. Naushadsaab was so enchanted by the song

Sadbhavna

that he recommended Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to grant it a national status. In 1999 the prime minister gave directives to the Directorate general of All

India

Radio to broadcast the song set in

raag Shyam Kalyan

on all national events. “It was a proud moment and I felt that my hard work was truly recognised. It will always remain a cherished memory”, divulges Mohinderjitji with a smile.   

As we sip delectable Kashmiri tea our conversation veers towards the intricacies of classical music and Mohinderjit Singh reveals that in the course of his training as a violinist he went on to improvise the instrument and in the process invented a new musical instrument called Nadyogini. “I knew carpentry and that helped me immensely in creating the Nadyogini“, he elucidates before adding that he played the entire background score of the government film Naam Hoga Anuja on this instrument. Guruji, as he is reverently addressed by all his disciples, has rightfully earned the title of a teacher par excellence. A host of singers including Chitra Singh and Sandhya Rao have received training in music from him. He has also scored music for television serials like Mirabai, Mricchakatikamand Sankalpand in films like Diksha, Zulf Ke Saaye and Ghooghat Ki Aad Mein

However, there is one unaccomplished desire which is closest to his heart that Mohinderjit Singh has been earnestly working on for the last twenty years.  He wants to promulgate the message of the tenth sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh through an album of hymns. “ I read a book called Yug Purush on the life of Guru Gobind Singh more than two decades ago and it changed my life “, admits the composer. “ Guru Gobind Singh the tenth and last guru of the Sikhs conflicted against religious, economic and political injustice. To execute this he formed the Khalsa Panth. Khalsa means The Pure. He firmly believed that the best way to love humanity was to squash inhumanity. His hymns propound the power of Bhaktiand Shaktifor world peace. One must triumph over oneself and not others “. He is also seeking financial assistance since the project is quite ambitious and is confident that help will come his way sooner or later to realize his dream.