Not many people, at least those not in Sikh community may be aware of an annual congregation of Sikhs from the world over to Malacca annually for a three-day prayer extravaganza to commemorate the passing of our own Saint who walked amongst us in the earlier part of the 20th century. Sant Sohan Singh (1902-1972) was a religious poet who started his life in India singing religious poem in temples and fairs. A tussle and brush with the law over gurdwara landed him in Malaya in 1926.
Gurdwaras in Malaya offered newcomers a roof over their heads, hence Sohan Singh found himself at home reciting his hymns in praise of God. People were impressed with his grasp of the language and was soon invited for many festivities. This towering figure (a six footer +) soon climbed the ladder of hierarchy of gurdwaras in Malaya.He became the caretaker of the Malacca Gurdwara in 1927. He remained celibate and furthered his knowledge in Punjab. During the great war (WW2), he continued his daily prayers undisturbed by the invading Japanese Army and he continued feeding the hungry mouths, albeit rice porridge and tapioca.
He continued the work of the Guru until he fell ill and succumbed to his illness in Ipoh in 1972. His cortège which left Ipoh all the way to Malacca saw a gathering of mammoth proportions of believers paying homage to the passing of a saint.
The last commemoration (Barsi) was held between 24th and 27th May 2012.
http://sikhtemplemelaka.weebly.com/a-short-history-of-sant-baba-sohan-singh-ji.html
http://gurdwarasahibmelaka.org/santji.html
A Sikh singer, popular in Malaya, noting that Sant Sohan Singh travelled long distances by train, bus, taxi or on foot, suggested to him that he wished to present to the Sant a car which would be claimed to be donated by no one particular person.
Sant Sohan Singh showed him his dusty shoes and said, "Even these are not cleaned. Hold not the dust in derision; none is like the dust; while living we keep it under our feet, but after death it covers the body." "Once I accept a car now," he continued, "I will cease to be what I have been all these years. Now people refer to me as Sant. With a car I may be referred to as 'saan' (bull). The comparatively young singer had no further words.
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