Sufi singer Pyarelal Wadali dies
AMRITSAR: Sufi singer Pyarelal Wadali, the younger of the famed Wadali Brothers, died after a cardiac arrest in Amritsar on Friday. He was 75.
He is survived by his wife Surjit Kaur, two sons, Satpal Singh and Sandeep, and three daughters, Sheela Rani, Raj Rani and Soma Rani.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday condoled the demise of the Sufi singer, saying his work will continue to draw people towards the joys of Sufi music. “Saddened by the demise of Pyarelal Wadali. His renditions attained great popularity globally. His work will continue to draw people towards the joys of Sufi music. May his soul rest in peace,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a tweet quoting Modi.
Punjab chief minister Ama- rinder Singh described the death as a personal loss, as well as a loss for the world of Sufi music. In his condolence message, Singh described Pyarelal Wadali as a trend-setter in Sufi singing, and added that with his death, a void had been created in the lives of Sufi music lovers across the world.
Pyarelal, along with his elder brother Puran Chand, sang popular hits such as ‘Tu maane yaa na maane’ and Tanu Weds Manu’s ‘Rangrez mere’. Mourning his death, singer Daler Mehndi called him the ‘king of Punjab’. “Punjab De Shahen- shah singer #Pyarelalwadali Ji who took the Punjabi literature and music to highest levels across the globe leaves this world today. May his soul RIP. What water is to fish #WadaliBrothers is to Punjab. #Respect #RIP #Legendarysufisinger,” he tweeted.
Puran Chand, who was fond of wrestling, was forced by his father to learn music. He was also given the responsibility to teach his younger brother.
In 1975, the duo went to Jalandhar to perform at the Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan, but was reportedly not allowed. They made their musical offering instead at Harballabh Temple, where an executive of All India Radio, Jalandhar, recorded their first song.
Pyarelal, along with his brother, went on to win many laurels, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1992.