Singer-songwriter Harpreet Singh has unveiled his latest musical endeavor, a poignant new album dedicated to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. In this album, Singh brings to life the evocative words of famed Punjabi poet and author Nanak Singh, whose 900-line poem “Khooni Vaisakhi” narrates the harrowing details of that fateful day in Amritsar.
The historical significance of the poem cannot be overstated. Nanak Singh himself was present at Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919, participating in a peaceful rally against the repressive Rowlatt Act. When British troops, under the command of General Dyer, opened fire on the unarmed crowd, Nanak Singh narrowly escaped death. He collapsed in the ensuing chaos and later awoke underneath a blanket of lifeless bodies. The British banned his heart-wrenching poem, but it has endured as a stark reminder of the atrocities committed that day.
Harpreet Singh’s connection to this project runs deep. Five years ago, he embarked on this significant musical journey, profoundly moved by the personal history intertwined with his cultural heritage. It was during the centenary commemoration of the massacre in 2019 that Sanjoy Roy of Teamwork Arts introduced Harpreet to Navdeep Suri, Nanak Singh’s grandson. At that time, Suri was poised to release his book “Hymns in Blood,” an English translation of “Khooni Vaisakhi,” and approached Harpreet with the idea of setting his grandfather’s poetry to music.
Harpreet’s extensive experience in adapting poetry to music, coupled with his upbringing in a Sikh family that kept the stories of the massacre vivid in his mind, rendered him uniquely capable of undertaking this project. “Nanak Singh ji’s poetry, written from the perspective of a survivor, conveys profound pain and emotion,” Harpreet said. “It’s an honour to bring his words to life through music.”
The culmination of this emotional journey was first shared publicly at the book launch on April 13, 2019, exactly 100 years after the massacre. Harpreet performed a 10-minute composition drawn from the book, and the reception was overwhelmingly positive. The response was so enthusiastic that it encouraged them to take the launch event on an international tour, touching hearts in India, the U.K., Ireland, and the UAE.
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Buoyed by this reception, Harpreet committed to creating a full album that would capture the essence of “Khooni Vaisakhi.” The album comprises seven carefully curated tracks, each outlining a different aspect of the poem’s narrative. The opening track, “Prarthna,” is an invocation to Guru Gobind Singh, seeking blessings for the journey ahead. “Ramnavmi” highlights the unity of Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs who celebrated the festival together as one community, a poignant reminder of the fraternity before the massacre.
“Phade jaan di khabar” describes the public outcry following the arrest of pro-independence activists Saifuddin Kitchlew and Satyapal by British authorities, setting the stage for the grim events to follow. The track “Jallianwala Bagh (Amritsar 1919)” is a heartrending portrayal of the massacre itself, capturing the anguish of parents mourning their children.
“Shaheedan di awaaz” is a stirring piece where the martyrs address the nation, urging them not to let their sacrifices fade into oblivion. Another impactful track, “Shaheedan walon general Dyer nu,” condemns General Dyer, branding him as a perpetual figure of infamy. The album concludes with “Chitthiyaan dardan diyan,” where Nanak Singh channels the collective agony of ordinary citizens writing pained letters to the British.
Harpreet’s album release tour is set to span multiple locations, both domestically and internationally. He will be traveling with Ambassador Navdeep Suri to Chennai, Bengaluru, and then across the U.S. and Canada, performing at notable events such as JLF Houston, JLF New York, JLF Colorado, JLF Seattle, and others in Toronto and Vancouver.
The album represents one of Harpreet’s most personal and heartfelt projects to date. He is currently back in his Mumbai studio, working on several other songs that have captured audiences at various festivals and concerts. Among them are “Bandhu” and “Geetfarosh,” which he promises to release to a wider audience soon. “These songs have been well-received in live settings, and I’m excited to share them with more listeners,” he stated.
As Harpreet Singh brings the poignant poetry of Nanak Singh to life, his new album serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of the Jallianwala Bagh martyrs and their indelible impact on Indian history.
