Hindustan Times ST (Jaipur) - Hindustan Times (Jaipur) - City
‘Superstar’ of bhajans mourned by fans, stars
Celebrated bhajan singer Narendra Chanchal, 80, passed away on Friday. He was virtually synonymous with bhajans, be it Jai Mata Di, Chalo Bulawa Aaya Hai, Jot Jage Din Raat or Pyara Saja Tera Dwar. The news of his demise was confirmed by Sanjay Malik, a close associate who had been organising his concerts for two decades. Malik shared the singer was in hospital for the last few months and breathed his last at noon, due to age-related issues. Fans and celebs alike mourned his passing. Reminiscing how, as a child, she sang at many events that Chanchal attended as a guest, singer Akriti Kakar says she still can’t believe the news. “He devoted his life to singing for God, now God will surely take great care of him,” she adds. Singer Kavita Seth says the first song that comes to mind when she thinks of him is Chalo Bulawa Aaya Hai. “Chanchal ji jo dil se gaate the woh hamare dil tak pahunchta tha,” she adds. For singer Antara Mitra, Chanchal is “the first superstar” of devotional songs. “He made that genre glamorous. And he remained the king of that genre,” she says.