It was Sunday. The sangat was enjoying Kirtan at Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj was sitting under the mango tree. Bhai Karam Singh of Jagadhri came and paid his homage to Sant Baba ji. Sant Baba ji asked him to perform Kirtan. Bhai Karam Singh was not following the code of conduct required for a Gursikh.
He however obeyed the orders of Sant Baba ji and performed Kirtan. After his performance, he was called by Sant Baba ji and asked, “Bhai Karam Singh! Do you have your own Kirtan Jatha (musical group)?”
Bhai Karam Singh informed, “Maharaj ji! We have a complete group. There are two others with me. One performs on the harmonium and another on the tabla (a small tambourine).”
Sant Baba ji asked him, “Do you go to different places to perform in your city?”
Karam Singh replied, “Yes, Maharaj! Whenever someone calls us the Jatha goes there to perform.”
Sant Baba ji asked, “Then you must be performing during the Anand Karaj (marriage ceremonies) also?”
Bhai ji informed, “Yes, Maharaj! Our group undertakes this work also.”
Sant Baba ji then asked, “People must be giving lot of respect for your performance.”
Bhai ji proudly replied, “Yes, Maharaj! People are really hospitable. We are made to sit on a higher platform. They carry our musical instruments. They also serve us with all kinds of eatables.”
Sant Baba ji asked, “You must be preaching about the real meaning of the marriage rites to the bride and the bride groom at the time of ceremonies.”
Karam Singh could not understand the deep intent behind this discussion and was just replying to Sant Baba ji’s questions. He said, “We preach to the bride and the bridegroom to follow the tenets of Sikhism. They should accept baptism of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib.”
Sant Baba ji said, “This is really wonderful. Are you also baptized?”
Karam Singh said, “No, Maharaj! None from the group is a baptized Sikh.”
Sant Baba ji said, “In that case you do not have any right to preach to any one else.”
He says one thing, and does something else. There is no love in his heart, and yet with his mouth he talks tall. The Omniscient Lord God is the Knower of all. He is not impressed by outward display. One who does not practice what he preaches to others, shall come and go in reincarnation, through birth and death. One whose inner being is filled with the Formless Lord by his teachings,
the world is saved.Those who are pleasing to You, God, know You. Nanak falls at their feet. ||7||(Page 269)
Sant Baba ji said, “Those who do not follow the teachings of the Guru, are frauds. Such persons should be made to pick up their musical instruments on their head and turned out without paying any respect.”
Bhai Karam Singh realized his fault and fell at the feet of Sant Baba ji. He said that his entire group would accept baptism on the coming Sangrand.
The teachings of Sant Baba ji changed the style of living of Bhai Karam Singh. He and his family regularly visit the Kutiya and continue to enjoy the grace of Nirmal Kutiya Johalan.
Many melodious singers (Raagis) of Gurbani came to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. Giani Beant Singh ‘Bijli’, of Phillaur selected verses of different Ragas from Sri Guru Granth Sahib and sang rhythmically. Giani Ralla Singh and his group comprising of Bhai Gurdas Singh, Bhai Rakha Singh and Bhai Mangal Singh of Puboowal near Jaijon, performed Kirtan while sitting. They were equally proficient in performing with the Dhadh Sarangi (a fiddle and a hand drum). Apart from these two a prominent music teacher Prof Darshan Singh also performed at Nirmal Kutiya Johalan.
Giani Beant Singh ‘Bijli’ participated during the Nagar Kirtan taken out in Jalandhar City. He carried on this service for many years with his group.