‘Mela Chamkile Da’ held at native village of singer

Charanjit Singh Teja

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Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 8

Music lovers and fans of Amar Singh Chamkila still remember him even after 28 years of his death. On his 28th death anniversary “Mela Chamkile Da” was organised at cremation ground of his native village Dugri. A good number of his fans, followers, folk singers, artists, friends, and family members were present on the occasion.

A cultural programme was also organised in memory of Chamkila. His friends, family members and fans were seen discussing his humanitarian nature, style of singing, understanding of rural folk and powerful lyrics.

“Amar Singh Chamkila is generally known for lyrics with dual meaning or indecent lyrics. People used to criticise him for polluting the social relationships. But nowadays the singers have crossed all the limits. As compare to present scenario of Punjabi singing, Chamkila was much decent. Moreover, he presented the truth of rural society in his singing,” said Deep Aman, a budding singer from Malout.

Bheem Singh Lubana, who collected all the LP records of Chamkila and play gramophones in marriages said, “From his days in early 80s he is still relevant in Punjabi music industry. Several hit Punjabi singers copied his compositions, lyrics and style of singing to give hit numbers. He is singer of generations. He is always in demand.”

Swaran Kaur, sister of Amar Singh Chamkila said, “We never forgot the day when we lost our brother. Thousands of people came and told that he was a great personality, then why someone killed him. The students have been doing Phd on his lyrics and Mumbai people want to make a movie on his life.” Amar Sing Chamkila was born and brought up in a humble family of Dugari village.

Online fever of Chamkila

Not only in Dugari, a large number of fans of Chamkila, residing across the word, remembered him on his death anniversary. Sarmad Aziz, from Rahem Yar Kahn, Pakistan, updated his status, “Chamkila addressed the taboos of Punjabi society in his singing which we generally deny in our life. That is why it attracts Punjabi beyond the political borders. Chamkila is my all time favourite.”

Laddi Sangha, a cab driver from London, UK, updated his status on facebook, “Today, I will pay tribute to Chamkila by playing his songs. I would not listen to any other song. He was voice of rural Punjab, farmers, labourers and it would never die.”