New style bhais

Jasmine Singh

He makes those last minute checks — kadda check, turban check, Dolce Gabaana check. This isn’t just famous singer actor Diljit Dosanjhs’s track released by MTV, “This Singh Is So Stylish”, this track says all about his style. And when he jumps on the stage, the crowd claps to no end. These claps are not only in anticipation of his performance but for his style too.

Meet the suave, smart-looking, all-jazzed up Punjabi singers who have redefined their attitude and appearance specially for their live shows.

Now & then

This, however, wasn’t the case some years back when popular singers like Gurdas Maan or Mohamad Siddqui would only perform in their traditional dress, kurta and chaadra. “Very few singers would come on the stage wearing trousers or even jeans,” shares singer Nishawn Bhullar, a new-age singer who, too, has worked on his style to fall in line with the new styles that are trending. Popular Punjabi singers, who are relatively young as well, are now experimenting with their style.

“Now, we have to perform all across India and abroad, especially at college and university functions, we are expected to dress up like them,” adds Nishawn.

Style check

While some singers have experimented with their hair style, moving from crew cut to Mohawk, getting their hair coloured with seemingly dark colours to getting them streaked blond, other singers have turned to famous international brands like Jimmy Choo, Zara, Tommy Hilfiger and other foreign brands to lend them style. Some of them have even hired personal stylists who work to tailor-made their personal style that is hot off shore. Jassi Gill and Babbal Rai recently returned after a great live Punjabi show at Las Vegas. “Even though, people there would ideally love to see us in the traditional dress of Punjab, wearing what they wear and identify with, leaves a better impression on them. Also, being a performer, it is important to have my own style,” says Jassi Gill who likes changing his style once a month, for sure! Jassi doesn’t change his appearance much, doesn’t experiment much with his hair style, his entire focus is on what he would wear at the live show.

A live show for any singer is quite an important event that they always look forward to. It is also the time when the audience checks them out, from top to bottom. This is precisely the reason singers like Money Aujla and Alfaaz like to wear very Justin Bieber-kind of attire. Money Aujla has performed in every part of the world, and believes in sticking to his style. “I would, ideally, throw on a cap and a few accessories that looked casual and yet bohemian like our tracks,” he smiles flaunting his new style.

The uber cool

Performing live is nothing short of a fashion parade. Popular singer A Kay has become a rage with the younger generation. The singer-actor pays a lot of attention to what he would be wearing to an event. Ditto for Diljit who is really particular about are the shoes he wears. The singer has a humongous collection of shoes that keep growing. The style is so important that there is a complete track ‘This Singh Is So Stylish’, sung by Diljit himself. “An on-stage appearance is as important as doing a film or recording a track. You know that there are hundreds of fans listening to your track and also keenly observing what you are wearing. If you end up wearing anything funny, next day be ready to read the nasty comments on FB,” Diljit explains candidly.

It’s different

If it is flaunting brands for singers or jazzing up their hair styles, Inderpreet Singh of the Delhi-based Faridkot band always ties a turban in martyr Bhagat Singh-style. “I wouldn’t call it a style, I’d rather say I am inspired by Bhagat Singh, so I take a part of him along with me wherever I go.” Inderpreet is not the only singer, who is inspired to by the martyr, Nishawn too holds Bhagat Singh as his idol. Every time he has performed abroad, he has received standing ovation for his tracks and style both.

Talking about inspiration, Yo Yo Honey Singh has created a rage with his rapper look inspired by rap artists like Jay Z, Eminem, Snoop Dog and many other. Yo Yo Honey has nicely amalgamated their styles to create his own. His hairstyle, which again resembles David Beckham’s is another of his famous style attribute.

Interestingly, the rappers have more of ‘their’ style than other singers. Raftaar, Badshah, Bohemia have a distinct style, which they carry on stage and off stage as well.

Badshah chips in with details on his personal stylist. “My wife is my stylist, she knows what looks good on me. I am, howeve, more experimental kinds, accessories and shoes are the two things that I invest in more.”

Next time, if you happen to catch these singers performing live, don’t forget to rate them on your stylo-meter; they sure would be scoring more than you expected!