Music: Soothes when down, reforms mood, a way of expression and can even sometimes stop the world. Inspired from divine powers the ‘Sufiana Qlaam’ is one of the sweetest ways to get nearer to Almighty. There are mysterious powers behind music and it is such a flame that burns and soothes every heart. And Wadali brothers have kept this music flame ablaze.
Glimpse writer Munish Dhiman interacts with the Wadali Brothers who were recently in
Termed as one of the versatile singers they are unquestionably a name to reckon with in the Punjabi music industry. Serving the music industry for more than three generations they are raining the fourth generation heir, Lakhwinder Wadali, to take the family name to new heights.
As it’s the ‘Andaaz-E-Sufiana’ night, tell me what’s Sufi music for you?
Sufi means pure, untainted and virgin. Sufi music is soaring and curing. Sufi saints have sung assonances in the praise of God. It raises us to a different level and brings us closer to God.
Sufi is just like Ghee; absolutely pure. In the way as milk is turned into curd, curd into butter and butter milk. Then butter is further purified on fire to take out the purest form of milk which is Ghee. In such a manner Sufism makes a person absolutely pure.
Who do you think are the pillars of Sufi singing?
Baba Fareed, Bulleh Shah, Quaza Gulaam Fareed and Baba Shekh Fareed are just few names to declare as the pillars of sufism.
Singing runs in your genes, right?
Our grandfather Jhanda Ram started singing who was succeeded by our father Thakur Dass. Later I took over the reins and was later on joined by Pyarelal. Now we are training our fourth generation heir, Lakhwinder, to keep up the family name.
But when did you start singing?
I was interested in Pehalwani and did Akhara for many years as I was not at all keen to learn music but my father sahib forcefully using stick and everything that he could made me learn the tactics of music and it’s all just because of him that today I’ve earned this towering height in the world of music. Cheez taan aape sikh jaandi ae ya taan ohnu sikhan da shaunk howe ya darr howe.
And when did Pyarelal join you and what about your other brothers?
We were four brothers. But unfortunately we’re three now. He started singing 5-7 years after I did and the other is a Tabla player.
How has been the journey so far?
Even after a lot of ups and downs in life the journey has been really fruitful. Pyarelal added, “main taan bass aina jaandaan haan, k jab takk bika na tha koi poochhta na tha, toone mujhe khareed kar anmool kar dia.”
You’ve been a part of reality show on MH1 and recently your son had been a part of another. What’s your take o these reality shows?
I feel that reality shows provide a platform to the people who have talent and are ruining their talent just because of the lack of appropriate opportunities.
Pyarelal Wadali adds: I feel that reality shows are a nice concept to explore great talent but I think that the selection of judges is not done nicely people who have nothing to do with music and have no such background are made to sit to judge. This leads to nothing than just a wrong selection of a contestant.
How did you feel after being decorated with the Padamshree Award?
I had never thought that I would receive such a prestigious award. I was, like all, very happy and it had been an overwhelming response, indeed.
How many albums of yours are there in the market?
We’ve almost 10-12 albums in the market
After giving so many years to music why so less albums?
Initially, we didn’t want to ‘sell’ music as we never wanted to commercialise it. But when we received responses from our fans then we started working on our albums that happened just 8-10 years back.
Whom do you think responsible for the increasing vulgarity in the Punjabi music industry?
I would give the blame solely to the viewers/listeners. Nowadays people have started showing predilection towards Akhras (that attracts eyes) than Kannras (that attracts ears). Which in other words mean that people enjoy watching music rather than listening to it.
Sprouting of singers like wild mushrooms is not new-fangled. Do you think it will affect music?
Absolutely. People who have money just plunge into the music industry without knowing anything about music. It sometimes leaves me speechless that how far the taste of music has has gone. And here too I would like to mention the same differentiation the Akhras and Kannras.
And is there any singer from the new singers whom you consider as Sufi singer?
No, there’s no such singer.
How would you describe Lakhwinder Wadali as a singer?
Lakhwinder has a bright future ahead. He has moulded himself well as per the preferences and requirements of today’s audience. He can sing pop well and he can sing sufi music as well.
Do you think he’ll be able to preserve the age old family tradition of the Sufi singers?
Absolutely, he will.
The night was sedating and the verses alleviating. And the tête-à-tête with the duo was without a doubt such an unforgettable experience that left imprints in my memory forever.
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