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Bhai Balbir Singh (23 March 1933 - 23 February 2020) was born in the village of Mrigindpura (near Amritsar). He sang Gurbani Kirtan at Sri Harimandar Sahib, Amritsar, for 36 years from 1955 - 1991. Bhai Balbir Singh memorized nearly 3,000 Sabads and could sing over 200 ragas. Following retirement, he continued to sing throughout India and recorded nearly 30 albums.
His father, Bhai Santa Singh, taught at Gurmat Vidyalaya in Tarn Taran (Amritsar) and was a famous tabla exponent. Bhai Balbir Singh received his training in Gurbani Kirtan from his father, his grandfather Bhai Kundan Singh, and great-grandfather Bhai Hira Singh. At the age of seven, he made his first appearance at Gurduara Sri Darbar Sahib, Tarn Taran.
Among the various awards and honors bestowed on Bhai Balbir Singh, Akal Takht Sahib presented him with the Shiromani Ragi award (1983). He also received the coveted National Sangeet Natak Academy award (2012) for his contribution to Gurbani Kirtan. He is the first Ragi from the Sri Harimandar Sahib, Amritsar, tradition to be honored with this award. Bhai Balbir Singh received many other awards and titles, including the following:
- Kendriya Singh Sabha (1987)
- Chief Khalsa Diwan (1991)
- Vismaad Naad Ludhiana (1991)
- Sant Sujan Singh (1994)
- Bhai Mardana Yadgari Award (1995)
- President of India Hon’ble Shri K. R. Narayanan (1996)
- Sardar Prakash Singh Badal, and Bhai Batan Singh Memorial Award (1997)
- Gurmat Sangeet award by Jawaddi Taksal, at Gurdwara Gur Gian Parkash, Ludhiana (1999)
- Punjab Languages Department (2001) from the Honorable Chief Minister of Punjab
- Sant Sarwan Singh Gandharva Award (2001)
- S.G.P.C., Amritsar (2004)
- Bhai Mardana Gurmat Sangeet Vidyalaya and Missionary Society, Midland, UK (2006)
- Bhai Dilbagh Singh Kirtaniya Samrat Award as well as Bhai Nand Lal Goya Sanman by Guru
- Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (2010)
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