“This day has become a historical one as the singer of these folk songs Dr. Hamdard and the student- performers of LPU have contributed to Punjab and Punjabiat more than any professional singers or performers ever have.”
Chief Minister of Punjab, Sardar Parkash Singh Badal launched the Music Album “Lok-Geet” sung by Padma Bhushan Dr Barjinder Singh Hamdard, Editor-in Chief of Ajit Group of Publications, LPU today. An elite gathering of fans from all quarters of the society graced the release – ceremony held at the Shanti Devi Mittal Auditorium. This seventh album of Dr. Hamdard was a tribute to the great folk-lore and cultural heritage of Punjab. LPU students lent corporeal expression to the age old folk melodies from the album through dance presentationm sof mesmerising choreography.
Eulogizing the tireless endeavours of Dr. Hamdard for Punjab and Punjabis all across the globe, CM Badal acknowledged him as a powerful voice of Punjab in media, music and other allied fields. Addressing the gthering CM Badal said, “This day has become a historical one as the singer of these folk songs Dr. Hamdard and the student- performers of LPU have contributed to Punjab and Punjabiat more than any professional singers or performers ever have.”
An icon of Punjabi, and Punjabiat, Padma Bhushan Dr. Barjinder Singh Hamdard has brought Punjabi literature and journalism to the fore front. He has been awarded the ‘Padam Bhushan’ by the Government of India, ‘Shiromani Patarkar’ by Punjab Government, ‘Special Award’ by Shiromani Gurudwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC,) and Honorary D.litt by Punjabi University, Patiala. Dr Barjinder Singh also became M P (Rajaya Sabha) in 1998. Addressing the gathering at LPU, Dr Hamdard shared, “Music is my passion. I have been fascinated by music since my childhood, but life’s demands kept me from seriously pusuing it. However, music has always an integral part of my being and has never faded away despite life’s vagaries. I want to pass on my passion, my legacy of rich Punjabi folk music to the next generation, hence my album, ‘Lok Geet’.”
The songs included in ‘Lok-Geet’ are: Baajre dee raakhi; Udedaa ve jaavin kaanvaa; Veer mere ne bag lawaaya; Piya na jaa; Ladi ve preet vaali; Channa door vasendiyaan; Yaar Sunehra Ghal Ve, and Boohe tere te baitha jogi. The music director of these songs is Gurdeep Singh. Dr. Hamdard’s other six albums since 2003 are Jazbaat, Aahat, Sijda, Khushboo, Shrdhanjali, and Meri Pasand, which contain old songs and ghazals.
LPU Chancellor Mr. Ashok Mittal welcomed all at the album release ceremony and lauded the efforts of CM Badal towards maintaining peace and prosperity in the state for five terms. Mr. Mittal also congratulated Dr. Barjinder Singh Hamdard on being the recepient of the national honour of Padma Bhushan and thanked him for selecting LPU campus for the prestigious release ceremony of his latest album.
