SIX years ago, Malaysia proudly etched its name onto the global bagpiping map when the Sri Dasmesh Pipe Band was crowned champion at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, the United Kingdom.
The victory came just before the country’s 62nd National Day, sparking renewed interest in bagpiping amongst Malaysian students.
Sri Dasmesh, named after the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, remains the first and only Malaysian pipe band to compete — and win — at the prestigious event.
Founded in 1986 by Captain Sukdev Singh, a Malaysia Airlines pilot and founder of Sri Dasmesh International School, together with his brother Harvinder Singh, Amarjit Singh, and Avtar Singh, the band has grown into a national icon.
Its striking and distinctive uniform was designed by Jaswinder Kaur.
Though Sukdev, 71, and Harvinder, 63, no longer lead the band, they continue as lifelong mentors.
Leadership today rests with Drum Sergeant Tripert Singh and Pipe Major Tirath Singh, both brothers and pilots with Malaysia Airlines.
“We were KL boys practising at Padang Merbok, a great marching ground,” Sukdev recalled.
“In fact, we started as a choir before eventually transforming into a pipe band of 10 founding drummers,” added Harvinder.
FIRST PIPES
In 1986, the brothers bought instruments from a music shop that was winding up its business in Leboh Ampang.
Two years later, with the help of families and friends, they secured 12 sets of bagpipes.
Their passion for the pipes was inspired by the police bagpipe band they used to watch rehearsing near Pulapol while playing football.
By 1989, Sri Dasmesh made its international debut in Singapore, performing at the opening of the country’s main Sikh temple, officiated by the late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
GOING GLOBAL
The band first performed at Malaysia’s Merdeka celebration in the early 1990s, when the late Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak was king.
From 10 members, they grew to 50 within a decade.
To date, they have represented Malaysia in eight countries—the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, and Australia.
Their first international competition was in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1997, where they won four out of five medals under the leadership of Pipe Major Arminder Singh and Drum Major Charanpal Singh. Another major victory followed in Singapore in 2016.
In 2019, they made history as the first Asian band to win the 77-year-old World Championship, defeating 13 other countries including New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United States, and Scotland.
“We try go every three years, and it’s always worth the fight,” said Sukdev.
The band will return to Glasgow next year to compete again.
Sri Dasmesh has performed for Malaysia’s most distinguished audiences, including Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak at the Royal Selangor Club (2022), the current Yang di-Pertuan Agong His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, at the Gurdwara Games in Johor Baru in 2023) and Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, during his reign as king, at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (2019).
Today, the band boasts 35 members aged between 12 and 30, 70 per cent boys and 30 per cent girls.
A FIRST
This Aug 31, Sri Dasmesh will make its debut at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP), KLCC — a first for any bagpipe band in Malaysia.
The performance will be a multicultural showcase, featuring tangu drummers, urumi drummers, gamelan musicians, an Irish flautist, a didgeridoo player, a keyboardist, and singers.
“We’ve always wanted to perform at the DFP,” Harvinder said.
“While we play, a video presentation of our journey will also be screened,” added Sukdev.
Beyond performances, the band runs bagpipe workshops and receives coaching from experienced Australian pipers.
Over the years, Sri Dasmesh has helped train and mentor other bagpipe bands across Malaysia.
Their first attempt at the World Championship in 2015 saw them qualify for the finals — a remarkable feat for newcomers.
Long-time member Gursimer Kaur reflected: “Many more bagpipe bands will emerge, but we are proud to be pioneers. We readily share our experiences and knowledge.”
For the brothers, the vision has always gone beyond music:
“Bagpiping instils leadership, discipline, teamwork, and unity. We are a truly Malaysian band with a mission to inspire the next generation,” Harvinder said.
From a small group of dreamers in Kuala Lumpur to world champions in Scotland, the Sri Dasmesh Pipe Band remains a symbol of pride, discipline, and unity for Malaysia.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
