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On a sound footing

Daler Mehndi needs no introduction. He became an instant hit with his dance numbers and continues to enjoy popularity even after all these years.

On a sound footing


Saurabh Chadha 

Daler Mehndi needs no introduction. He became an instant hit with his dance numbers and continues to enjoy popularity even after all these years. A power-house of talent, Daler has been excelling at his art with each album and each track. Here he talks about his past experiences and future plans and why music is synonymous with power.   

What according to you is the power of music?

Naad or sound is a very powerful tool. Naad, just like feelings and emotions,  can be understood without any knowledge of the language it uses as an expression. Music makes the infinite tangible. You can be ‘one and many’ at any time by using the energy of music. Word is another very powerful medium and when combined with sound, the combination creates an extraordinary experience for the listener. It can raise and engage your energy or soothe your nerves, make you nostalgic or happy. Music has the power to ride on the data stored in your subconscious and magnify those stored emotions through its energy.

However, for majority of people in India, Bollywood defines music and Punjabi notes form an integral part of it. The concept was introduced in the early 1990s. Even the South Indian music is strongly influenced by Punjabi music. The power of music transcends boundaries of region and language. 

When I sang Tunak Tunak, people thought it wouldn’t work but it went on to break many records. Namoh Namoh became an opening anthem for several ceremonies and is even used in the election campaigns. I earn royalties from Wanna Marry You, Kachi Tut Gyi Jinna Di Yaari and these royalties are earned from radio stations and clubs in Greece, Rome, Italy, Germany... These are just a very few examples of the power of music that transcends all man-made boundaries. 

My music is not confined to pop, my repertoire also includes Sufi, Gurbani, bhakti, Bollywood, Punjabi folk, bhangra rock. I feel my music has the power to connect with people around the world.  

You are currently collaborating with many eminent musicians in India and across the globe. 

Please share some interesting ones.

I am working on The Soul of Mirzya in Mirzya. It is penned by Gulzar and composed by me. It is sung impromptu on a single key and is dedicated to Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Shankar Ehsaan Loy and the undivided Punjab and its artisans. It is one of the most challenging projects I have worked on and is really close to my heart. It will take my art to another level. 

For the commercial world, there is Bahubali 2 in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada. There is the title track of Dangal for Aamir Khan and Pritam, a bhangra punk-rock album with the Wolfmen, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Punk Rock Movement in the United Kingdom. For those on a spiritual journey, I recently finished working on Salok Mahalla 9, Dukhbhanjani Sahib, Japji Sahib (sung for the first time — it has always been recited and never sung before), Chaupai Sahib, an anthem for the preparation of celebrations of 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. I feel that I have very less time and there is so much to do. 

How has your journey so far been?

It all started in 1995 with Bolo Ta Ra Ra. It has been quite a struggle as well. People in India appreciate my art but I aim to create music for world audience, for all music lovers.

You are involved with many social campaigns, including 

the most talked about DM Green Drive. Please tell us something about it.

I have just come back from a music tour at Bilaspur, Raipur in Chhattisgarh. It’s sad that people take great pride in talking about the malls that have come up but are blind to the absence of green cover. The cities are reeling under heat. There are thermal plants, owing to coal mines but what are we leaving for the next generation? Daler Mehndi Green Drive takes pride in planting and sustaining over 12 lakh trees in the NCR. I am also working on the project, White Gold Cowshala, that aims to save the Indus cow breed — the Gir, Sahiwals, Haryanvi Desi, Tharparker cows. Then the bee culture is what we will be working on next.

You are among the very few entertainers in Asia who have managed to create a brand. How important is that image to you?

Of course, brand-building is very important in the present times. The brand is made when you establish something unique and original. There are no shortcuts to it, only hard work produces results. I am proud of what I have achieved but there is more to be done. 

What do you have in store for the fans?  

I have in store  beats and melodies which will instantly make a connect with audience. Music has the power to make you dance, laugh and cry and that is my kind of music.


“The Soul of Mirzya” has been penned by Gulzar. It has been sung impromptu on a single key and is dedicated to Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, music-director trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and the undivided Punjab and 

its artisans. It is one of the most challenging projects that I have worked on — Daler Mehndi

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