In the early 1980s, Punjabi folk singer Surinder Shinda toured Canada alone. Meanwhile, in India, his singing partner Surinder Sonia recorded four songs with Dhani Ram, who often worked with Shinda. Their album, Takuye Te Takua Khadke, made Dhani Ram famous as Amar Singh Chamkila. Even years after his death, Chamkila still interests fans. Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh is playing Chamkila in his film directed by Imtiaz Ali, showing the late singer’s lasting impact on Punjabi music. Amarjot is being played by Parineeti Chopra.
His early life: Chamkila, born on July 1, 1960, faced challenges growing up in poverty in Ludhiana’s Dugri village. Named Dhani Ram, he worked as a laborer to support his family. Despite this, his passion for music led him to join drama groups, where he mastered the harmonium and tumbi by age 16.
Breakthrough: Even while working as a labourer, Dhani Ram pursued his musical dreams. He teamed up with the well-known folk singer Shinda, helping with stage setups and writing lyrics. This led him to become a successful songwriter for Shinda. A major turning point came when Shinda toured Canada in the early 1980s. They recorded four songs together with Shinda’s partner Sonia, which made Dhani Ram a star. That’s when he became Chamkila.
More gigs: The music label released another tape titled Baapu Saada Gum Ho Gaya, once again featuring the duo of Chamkila and Sonia. Their talent and style resonated with audiences, leading to high demand for their performances at weddings and other events. Despite their shared success, Chamkila was paid only Rs 200 per performance, while Sonia received Rs 600. This inequality in salary ultimately led Sonia to part ways with Chamkila.
His partnership with Amarjot: After Chamkila and Sonia went their separate ways, Chamkila started working with a new singer named Amarjot Kaur, who was already becoming popular because of her work with Kuldeep Manak. Their partnership was a big deal in Punjabi music. Their first album, Bhul Gayi Main Ghund Kadna, had a hit song called Pahile Lalkare Naal Main Darr Gayi. Chamkila’s style and lyrics kept connecting with Punjabi fans, making him a true musical icon.
Popularity: Chamkila mostly wrote his own songs, which often talked about things like affairs, drinking, and drugs. People liked them not only in Punjab but also abroad. At one point, he was getting more gigs than other singers.
Assassination: When Chamkila and Amarjot were going to perform in Mehsampur, Punjab, they were shot as they got out of their car on March 8, 1988, around 2 PM. Unknown assailants on motorcycles shot at them, and they died on the spot. But nobody was ever caught for the shooting, and to date, no one knows who did it.
Meanwhile, the early reactions to Imtiaz Ali’s Netflix film Chamkila starring Diljit and Parineeti are out, and it seems the audience is super impressed by the musical biopic.
Comments
0 comment