Interview with Tajvinder Singh

Congratulations on being selected the youth of the month for August 2005. please tell us something about yourself, your schooling, your interests and your hobbies.

I am currently in my 3rd year and attending California State University Sacramento and majoring in Ethnic Studies. After I get my BA, I plan on becoming an international ragi. I enjoy doing Keertan, playing tabla, and watching my favorite NBA team, the Dallas Mavericks, play on TV. I also like playing badminton in my spare time.

You mentioned that you have an interest in keertan. How long have you been doing keertan? How did the interest developed?

I have been doing Keertan for 12 years. When I was 4, I used to ransack the kitchen cabinets looking for pots and pans that I could put upside down to use as makeshift tablas. Then, my mother went to India in 1993 and returned with a brand new vaja and tabla. While in India, she had learned a few Shabads from my uncle who owns a music shop and teaches various musical instruments to anyone who is interested. When my mom came back, she taught me my first Shabad, "Saadho Gobind Ke Gun Gaavo" when I was 8 years old. Ever since then, Keertan became a big part of my life. I would practice day and night until I had a particular Shabad perfected.

Which instruments do you play? Which is your favorite instrument and why?

I play the vaja, tabla, and dholki. I have to say that I equally enjoy playing the vaja and the tabla. I cannot say which is my favorite between the two.

Did you face any problems while learning keertan? If so what were the problems that you faced?

Yes, I faced many problems while learning Keertan. Sur and taal are two very important factors that affect the style of Keertan. When I was a kid, I did not have much trouble matching my voice with the keys on the vaja but I did have trouble getting on beat. However, I was determined to get the Shabad I was doing on taal. It took a lot of practice but with Guru's Kirpa, the hard work paid off.

Who inspired you to learn keertan? Tell us a little bit about them.

My mother - she taught me my first Shabad and she was the one who encouraged me. If it wasn't for her, I would definitely not have gotten this far in Keertan.

What is the perfect age to learn keertan according to you? And are there enough opportunities available for the Sikh youth to learn keertan?

The perfect age to learn Keertan is any time. The earlier the age, the easier it is to get on tune and on taal. I have seen 4 year olds do some some fantastic raags in competitions. Such is their dedication to the Guru's words. Amazingly enough, more than ever, there are many opportunities available for anyone to learn Keertan. Now, there are Ustaads and professors that reside in the bay area and in southern California who are ready to teach anyone who is willing to learn.

You have been participating in Sikh youth camps in Sacramento, California. What was your role there ?

In the Sikh youth camps in Sacramento, I was a counselor for a few age groups. My job was to teach Sikhi material and make sure the kids went home with some Sikh history of our Gurus. Also, during divaan time, I would play tabla for the Keertani(s).

In what way are the Sikh camps beneficial for the youth?

The Sikh camps are very beneficial for the youth because they enlighten the children about who we are and what our goal should be as a Sikh.

Who is your role model?

My role model is Akaal Purakh because He was the one who brought me here and I am thankful to Him because if it weren't for Him, I would not be in this janam doing the Keertan seva that I am. Also, He is my role model because without Him, I would not be able to live. Guru Ji says,"Jyo Praani Jal Bin Hai Marta, Tyo Sikh Gur Bin Mar Jaee." Without the Guru, I would not be here. Also, I look up to any ragi jatha or Katha vaachak as the knowledge that they hold is the pakaa dhan (the real knowledge) needed to sail across this ocean of maaya. My favorite ragi jathas are Bhai Rajinder Singh Ji (Singapore) and Bhai Satwinder Singh Ji(Sees Ganj Sahib, Delhi).

What are the problems that the Sikh youth are facing in the western society?

Some problems that the Sikh youth is facing in the western society is peer pressure. Everyone wants to be like what they see on TV or at school. As a result of this, people are losing their hair, their religion, and most importantly, God. It is difficult to live in the western world as a Sikh - no one said it was easy. But everyone has to remember that what we see is maaya and we have to live in it but not forget God and His teachings. Like Guru Amardaas Ji said in Anand Sahib, "Tini viche maaya paaya." We have to be in maaya but not so much into it to where it influences us or to where we lose Him. Our ultimate goal should be to "Sukh Dukh Pyaare Tudh Dhyaaee." In sukh or dukh, we should remember Him and only then will our lives be saved from the cycle of death and birth. But in order to meditate on His name to the fullest, one should be self disciplined enough to keep his or her religion and faith strong and not let the western civilization influence it to the extent where we lose God. To do this is the ultimate mukti in God's eyes.

You have website bhaitajvindersingh.com, tell us about it? like do you update it often?

BhaiTajvinderSingh.com was first launched in August of 2004 after my trip to India that summer. There, I made my first album, "Raakha Ek Hamaara Swaami." It is being distributed all over the world. The web site contains mp3s of Keertan done by me at various Gurdwaras and it also contains mp3s of me playing the tabla. A picture gallery is soon to be online as well. It is updated 3-4 times a week as more Keertan is uploaded. Thanks to Vicky Singh for doing the great Seva of making our banner.

What is your final message for all the people out there reading this? (advice you would like to give to the fellow Sikh youths)

My advice to everyone out there is to not forget our creator. Nowadays, everyone is so busy in their lives and we don'teven get any chance to remember Him. It's like we are forgetting our real father who brought us into this world and yet, when we come into this world, we enjoy and when we go, we all cry. We live in this false dunya where the 5 bads (Kaam, Krodh, Lobh, Moh, and Hankaar) engulf us and tempt us every minute. The message I would like to give to my veerjis and panjis out there is not forget Him and to keep doing Simran at all times. Whether you're at work, at school, at home, sitting or standing, anytime. Because "Oothat Baithat Sovat Jaagat Eh man Tujhe Chitaare." If we think about God when doing our daily tasks and realize Him as our creator, only then will he do Kirpa on us. Our lives and our future will be sukhi as well since we will be with God at all times. "Eh lok sukhye parlok suhele, Nanak har prabh aape mele"

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer the above questions,
and we hope you can continue to carry the torch of Sikhi and inspire others alike.
UnitedSikhs.com Team