Darbar Sahib Radio pays tribute to the life and legacy of Bahadur Singh Rocket, a distinguished Kirtani whose voice became part of the soundscape of Sikh life in Britain for more than four decades, who passed away on Friday 4th September 2026.
Born on 14 January 1949 in Rajasthan, Bahadur Singh dedicated much of his life to Gurbani and Sikh musical tradition. After making the United Kingdom his home, he settled in Leicester, where he became a familiar and respected figure within the Sikh community.
For more than 40 years, Bahadur Singh sang Kirtan across the UK, carrying with him a deep connection to traditional Sikh music and a commitment to sharing Gurbani with the sangat.
What made Bahadur Singh particularly special was his rare and distinctive ability to combine classical Kirtan with the Dhadi tradition. The two forms have their own rich histories and musical identities, yet Bahadur Singh had a unique ability to bring them together, creating a style that was deeply rooted in tradition while remaining unmistakably his own.
His voice carried more than music. It carried history, devotion and tradition.
For generations of Sikh listeners across Britain, his Kirtan became part of religious gatherings, Gurpurabs and community life. Through decades of seva, he helped preserve traditional forms of Sikh musical expression and ensured they continued to be heard across communities throughout the UK.
At a time when preserving traditional musical heritage for future generations has become increasingly important, Bahadur Singh remained committed to his craft. His dedication helped carry these traditions forward and introduced generations of sangat to the depth and beauty of Sikh devotional music.
From Rajasthan to Leicester, and across communities throughout Britain, his journey reflected the story of a generation that carried its heritage across continents and continued to serve through Gurbani.
A Voice That Will Be Remembered
Bahadur Singh Rocket was more than a Kirtani. He was a custodian of tradition.
His contribution cannot simply be measured by the number of years he spent singing or the performances he gave. His legacy lives on in the memories of those who listened, the sangat who heard his Kirtan and the musical traditions he helped preserve.
His passing is therefore felt not only as the loss of an individual, but as the loss of a distinctive voice within the British Sikh musical tradition.
Darbar Sahib Radio remembers Bahadur Singh Rocket with deep respect and gratitude for a lifetime dedicated to Gurbani, Kirtan and Sikh musical heritage.
His voice may have fallen silent, but the legacy of his seva will continue to resonate through those he inspired and through the traditions he helped carry forward.
May Waheguru grant his soul eternal peace and give strength to his family, friends and the wider sangat during this time of loss.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa,
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.
