Context
Baba Sham Singh (1803-1928) was one of the greatest Kirtaniyas of the Sevapanthi sampardai of the Sikh-Panth, who performed kirtan with the siranda at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Sri Amritsar, for 78 years. Baba Sham Singh inspired Sant Attar Singh Mastuana, Bhai Vir Singh, and Sunder Singh Majithia, along with innumerable persons, to serve Sikhi. Due to his service and devotion at Sri Darbar Harmandir Sahib, the first karah-prasad degh in the early morning comes from Baba Sham Singh’s place, and the practice continues to date. Apart from a great Kirtaniya, Baba Sham Singh ji composed the Sri Bhagat Prem Prakash Granth, which is an important treatise of Sikh literature that contains the daily Maryada of Sri Harmandir Sahib, including Kirtan tradition of Sri Harmandir Sahib, Ragis and Rababis. Moreover, it contains the testimonies of Sikh sadhus, saints, and great people from the Guru period onwards. The compilation of this manuscript will be an important contribution to the field of Sikh studies.
Importance
This manuscript’s information can play an important role in writing the history of Sri Harmandir Sahib, its tradition of kirtan, and daily maryada. The author has also addressed the lives and anecdotes of Sikh saints primarily from the Sewa Panthi tradition. To write the history of Sikh Studies, this text can play an important role in the particular section related to the Sewa Panth tradition, which is one of the most important sampardai of Sikhi. So this text will help in many ways in the understanding of Sikh practices in Sri Harmandir Sahib and in the writings of Sikh Studies.
This manuscript was primarily written in the old style of Gurmukhi script, in which the letters are connected. There will be primary task to edit the manuscript in contemporary readable Gurmukhi. Within this, the footnote will be given to understand and clarify some of the important things in the manuscript.
Budget
Relationship with Nad Music Institute
Karamjit Singh is closely related to Nad Music Institute from the academic research side. They have worked on a couple of research projects, including a bibliography of musical texts. Nad Music Institute is working on some key research areas of Gurbani Kirtan. The compilation of Sri Bhagat Prem Prakash Granth will be a valuable resource in the fundamental research work on Kirtan. This project is fiscally sponsored by Nad Music Institute.
