Bhai Vir Singh

Bhai Vir Singh

December 5 marks the 150th birth anniversary of Bhai Vir Singh (1872-1957), and we commemorate “The Sixth River of Panjab.” In his versatile and prolific creative life, Bhai Vir Singh was a mystic, poet, novelist, essayist, exegete, historian, editor, publisher, and journalist. He drew inspiration from diverse classical and contemporary languages to publish pivotal editions of old Sikh texts. Bhai Vir Singh’s literary innovations were fundamentally connected to Sikhi’s significant concerns. He became a leading figure in the Singh Sabha Movement – the Sikh renaissance in the late 19th – early 20th century. As “The Sixth River,” Bhai Vir Singh’s poetic heart currents run steady across Sikh history to the present to offer us wisdom and beauty.

Videos

Tuesday
,
3
December
2024

Sikhi & History: Bhai Vir Singh's Perspectives

Join Harinder Singh at Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan, Delhi, as he explores Bhai Vir Singh's unique framing of Sikh history on 25 September 2024.

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Monday
,
5
December
2022

The 150th Birth Anniversary of Bhai Vir Singh

To mark the 150th birth anniversary of Bhai Vir Singh, Harinder Singh shares 5 notions with 5 seeker personalities prevalent in today’s world culture.

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Monday
,
7
December
2020

Bhai Vir Singh: Master Musician?

Surinder Singh explains Bhai Vir Singh's musical genius which gets lost in his vast amount of work.

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Monday
,
7
December
2020

Bhai Vir Singh: What is life?

Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh beautifully explains how she interprets one of Bhai Vir Singh's works called "what is life?"

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Sunday
,
6
December
2020

Bhai Vir Singh: His Fragrance Travels Through Centuries

Scholar Dr. Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh, author, poet, and artist, Inni Kaur, and educator, Surinder Singh discuss the poetry, Gurbani, and the inspiration of Bhai Vir Singh.

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Saturday
,
5
December
2020

Bhai Vir Singh: Consciousness Streams Beyond Eras

Who was Bhai Vir Singh, and why is he called the "sixth river of Panjab"? A century ago, Bhai Vir Singh profoundly influenced Panjab—then a unified region in South Asia, now divided between India and Pakistan.

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Monday
,
15
October
2012

Sikhi Through Poetry

Selections from Muhhamad Iqbal, Allah Yar Khan Jogi, Shah Muhammad, Vir Singh, Puran Singh, and Afzal Ahsan Randhawa will be covered to present Sikhi as represented in poetry from 1469 to present.

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Wednesday
,
12
August
2015

Celebrating Life and Legacy of Bhai Vir Singh (Part 2)

Bhai Vir Singh ji

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Saturday
,
24
September
2016

Dr. Nikky Guninder Kaur - "Bhai Vir Singh's Cosmic Symphony and its Poetic Resonance"

Dr. Nikky Guninder Kaur's presentation explores Bhai Vir Singh’s early and final lyrics from his respective anthologies Trel Tupke and Mere Sainyan Jio.

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Saturday
,
24
September
2016

Inni Kaur - My Pitaji - “One Man, Many Legacies”

To the world, he is Bhai Vir Singh, the “Sixth River of Panjab.” To me, he is simply Pitaji. There are no family or blood ties, but there is a bond that transcends time and space.

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Saturday
,
24
September
2016

Harinder Singh - "Bhai Vir Singh: Vision & Leadership"

This presentation surveys details of Bhai Vir Singh’s life. It attempts to present Bhai Sahib’s life story, highlighting various aspects of his Sikh and Panjabi life. 

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Wednesday
,
10
January
2018

“The Fragrance of Bhai Vir Singh” – Eye First or Glimpse? - January 2018 (English)

The Fragrance of Bhai Vir Singh is a audio series exploring the legacy of the seminal poet presented by Sikh Research Institute.

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Articles

Monday
,
19
December
2022

The Fragrance of Bhai Vir Singh - Rana Surat Singh

When the Guru-oriented being attains all three—Nam, dan, isnan—this is what happens. Realization dawns and the being recognizes the self as the observer.

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Monday
,
12
December
2022

The Fragrance of Bhai Vir Singh - Rana Surat Singh

Love does not emerge through dedicated practice or method. Remembrance is one form of love. Contemplating remembrance develops love. Contemplating virtues, contemplating Nam (Divine-Identification, ਨਾਮ), is also a form of love.

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Monday
,
5
December
2022

The Fragrance of Bhai Vir Singh - Rana Surat Singh

Bhai Vir Singh’s poem “Rana Surat Singh” unveils the mysteries of mystical love via 14,270 lines of verse in thirty-five cantos. The poem artistically presents a passionate vision of a world beyond the divisions of time and space.

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Tuesday
,
8
November
2022

The Fragrance of Bhai Vir Singh

Guru Nanak Sahib and the Jogi narrative is from Bhai Sahib Bhai Vir Singh’s book, "Guru Nanak Chamatkar". The dialogue occurs at the hermitage of an ascetic sect residing in South India's Kanji Forest.

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Wednesday
,
14
April
2021

Vaisakhi & I

Explore the spiritual journey of Inni Kaur as she reflects on the profound significance of Vaisakhi, drawing parallels between the historical events of 1699 and her path of self-discovery.

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Monday
,
30
November
2020

The Lover & The Beloved

Through the pen of Bhai Vir Singh, we get a glimpse into a profound relationship. The tug of separation. The mystery of longing. The faith in relationships. The yearning for union.

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Monday
,
5
December
2016

A Legacy of Love: Bhai Vir Singh

My earliest memory of having anything to do with Pitaji’s writings is the sweetest. Every Wednesday we would have kirtan at home. Just before Anand Sahib Masterji (because he was a Master of ragas) would sing one of Pitaji’s poems.

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Wednesday
,
10
January
2018

The Fragrance of Bhai Vir Singh

SikhRI introduces a monthly series devoted to Bhai Vir Singh's writings.

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Wednesday
,
28
February
2018

Piare Jio – O’ Beloved

Bhai Sahib Bhai Vir Singh ji is best described as a savant-poet. As a poet, even his prose takes on a mystical, lyrical quality. The physical effect of reading his works is like a shikara (light, flat-bottom, roofed boat) gently bobbing along an open river. Mentally, he stretches not just your imagination but also your understanding. Emotionally, he shakes you to the core. His words carry the weight of profound experiences. Written with deep conviction, their impact on the reader is inevitable.

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Wednesday
,
14
March
2018

Kant Maheli - The Fragrance of Bhai Vir Singh

This poem is from a lived experience of the one who is drenched with love. Nature and its seasons become a mere reflection of that love.

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Thursday
,
31
May
2018

Fragrance of Bhai Vir Singh

“Kiüṁ mire kalgīāṁ vāle dāte!

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Thursday
,
31
May
2018

Rana Bhabor – The Fragrance of Bhai Vir Singh

In Bhai Vir Singh's narrative masterpiece, "Rana Bhabor," a poignant dialogue unfolds between Rana Uday Singh and his devoted Rani, offering profound insights into the complexities of love and devotion.

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Podcasts

Friday
,
6
December
2024

Sikhi & History: Bhai Vir Singh's Perspectives

Harinder Singh explores Bhai Vir Singh's unique framing of Sikh history at Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan, Delhi.

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Friday
,
30
December
2022

Nam: Divine Identification

Join us as we delve into Bhai Vir Singh’s epic poem “Rana Surat Singh.” The poem unveils mystical love’s mysteries via 14,270 lines in thirty-five cantos. Mystical love is helical and circular in its workings.

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Friday
,
23
December
2022

Dan: Giving

In the third podcast, we discuss: What is giving-philanthropy? What is true giving? Does dan play a role in one’s journey towards becoming a Gurmukh, Guru-oriented?

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Friday
,
16
December
2022

Isnan: Cleansing

In the second podcast, we discuss:‍What is purification? What is cleansing? Is it necessary in the journey to becoming a Gurmukh, Guru-oriented?

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Friday
,
9
December
2022

The Rani’s Love: Rana Surat Singh

Join us as we delve into Bhai Vir Singh’s epic poem “Rana Surat Singh.” The poem unveils mystical love’s mysteries via 14,270 lines in thirty-five cantos. In the first podcast, we discuss: What is longing? What is satsang (company of inspired beings)?

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Saturday
,
9
January
2021

Bhai Vir Singh: His Fragrance Travels Through Centuries

In this conversation, we are joined by scholar Dr. Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh, author, poet, and artist, Inni Kaur, and educator, Surinder Singh as they discuss the poetry, Gurbani, and the inspiration of Bhai Vir Singh.

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,

The Redemption: Jamuna's Journey Pt.2 - Bhai Vir Singh

We enter the world of Northern India in the 1920s through the eyes of a young Jain widow — Jamuna, as she struggles with loss, exploitation, and her own life.

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,

The Redemption: Jamuna's Journey Pt.1 - Bhai Vir Singh

Enter the world of Northern India in the 1920s through the eyes of a young Jain widow — Jamuna, as she struggles with loss, exploitation, and her own life.

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Tuesday
,
3
July
2018

The Rani of Raipur – The Fragrance of Bhai Vir Singh

The Fragrance of Bhai Vir Singh is an audio series exploring the legacy of the seminal poet presented by Sikh Research Institute. Known as the Sixth River of Panjab, Bhai Vir Singh gave style, rhythm, and flow to the modern Panjabi language.

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Thursday
,
30
August
2018

Fakiri Surat – The Fragrance of Bhai Vir Singh

Known as the Sixth River of Panjab, Bhai Vir Singh gave style, rhythm, and flow to the modern Panjabi language. His writings, spiritual in nature, stimulate the soul and open our eyes to the Beloved.

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Monday
,
1
October
2018

Rana Bhabor – The Fragrance of Bhai Vir Singh

Rana Bhabor is a story of a small hill chieftain who came in contact with Guru Gobind Singh Sahib during the days of his struggle with the Hill Rajas.

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Wednesday
,
5
December
2018

The Nightingale & The Traveler: Love & Wisdom – Fragrance of Bhai Vir Singh

Inni Kaur recites translations from the original works of renowned Sikh author and poet Bhai Vir Singh. In this episode, we explore the story of "The Nightingale & The Traveler".

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