Daler Mehndi

Daler Singh (born 18 August 1967), better known as Daler Mehndi, is an Indian singer, songwriter, author, and record producer. He has helped to make bhangra popular worldwide, as well as Indian pop music independent of Bollywood music. He is best known for his dance songs, voice, turban, and long, flowing robes.[2][3]

Daler Mehndi
Mehndi performing live in 2015
Background information
Birth nameDaler Singh
Born (1967-08-18) 18 August 1967[1]
Patna, Bihar, India
GenresBhangra
Indi-pop
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active1991–present
Labels
  • D Records
Websitewww.dalermehndi.com

Early life

Daler Mehndi was born in Patna, Bihar, India into a Sikh family.[2][4][5] In 1991, he formed his own group, comprising his brothers, cousins and friends. In 1994, he was awarded the Voice of Asia International Ethnic and Pop Music Contest in 1994 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.[6]

Music career
Song recording for the 2012 Bollywood film Chaalis Chauraasi

Magnasound signed Mehndi for a three-album contract for three years. Bolo Ta Ra Ra, Mehndi's debut album, sold over 20 million copies.[7] The album established Daler as a pop star,[8] which also won him the Channel V's Best Indian Male Pop Artist Award. A year later, his second album under Magnasound, Dardi Rab Rab, was launched. This album surpassed the sales of Bolo Ta Ra Ra. He was nominated in three categories at Channel V Music awards and won the Channel V Best Indian Male Artist Award.[9]

In 1997, he released his third album Balle Balle. This got him Channel V Awards in six categories.[10] Like his previous albums, Balle Balle went multi-platinum.[11] The same year, Mehndi composed and performed the popular track "Na Na Na Re" for the Bollywood film Mrityudata, where he featured on the big screen with Amitabh Bachchan. The film's Bollywood soundtrack album sold 1.5 million units in India.[12]

In 1998, he released "Tunak Tunak Tun", which had a music video produced on a then unprecedented budget of ₹25 million[13] ($610,000),[14] equivalent to ₹113 million ($1.08 million) adjusted for inflation. The song and video was a success in India, cementing Mehndi's status as India's biggest popstar at the time,[15] later becoming an international success.[15] The album won the award for Best Indian Pop Album at the 1998 Screen Awards.[16]

In 2000, Mehndi released his album Ek Dana with music label TIPS Music. The album had a mix of genres ranging from folk, rock, and pop.[17] One of the more popular songs of the album Sajan Mere Satrangiya featured Indian actress Priyanka Chopra in the video.[18] This video was released in the year that Chopra won the Miss World title. Subsequently, Mehndi signed up with Universal Music in 2001 and released a new track "Kala Kauwa Kaat Khayega". In 2003, Mehndi forayed into playback singing for films. He started with the song "Ru-Ba-Ru" for the film Maqbool. The same year Daler and A.R Rahman came together to give another track "Nach Le" for Lakeer – Forbidden Lines. He fused Rock with Bhangra with his next album titled Mojaan Laen Do and in 2004 he self-produced Shaa Ra Ra.[19]

In March 2014, Deadmau5 and Mehndi made a remix of Mehndi's 1998 hit "Tunak Tunak Tun" performed by the duo.[20][21]

On Navratri 2014, Mehndi composed and recorded his rendition of the 'Hanuman Chalisa' overnight while working at his studio in Delhi.[22] Daler Mehndi, feeling inspired during the festival of Navratri, composed and record his rendition of the 'Hanuman Chalisa' in the DM Folk Studio.[23]

In September 2014, Mehndi released his song 'Aaja Mere Twitter Te' to encourage users to visit his Twitter account and Facebook page.[24]

On 6 November 2014, Mehndi released his album 'Best of Gurbani' on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti.[25]

Tours

In 1998, Mehndi was signed by Coca-Cola for product endorsement and was featured in 30 concerts across India.[26] He has performed worldwide including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, East Africa, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Malaysia, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Singapore, West Indies, Belgium, and the Netherlands.[27]

On 29 September 2013, Daler performed at the YouFest festival in Spain.[28][29] He has had an advent with Canadian electronic dance music artist Deadmau5 in a Lamborghini Murciélago LP670-4 SuperVeloce, Daler featured on his tour in India and together they produced an EDM remixed version of "Tunak Tunak Tun".[30]

In August 2014, Mehndi was invited as the guest of honour along with U.S Congressman Pete Sessions for the closing bell ceremony at NASDAQ Stock Exchange at New York, after which he performed at the National Indian American Public Policy Institute Azadi Diwas (NIAPPI) celebrations on the occasion of the 65th Independence Day.[31]

Mehndi delivered his first ever performance in Kuwait on 5 September. Welcomed by a packed audience at the Al Daiya Indoor Stadium, he broke his own record for the longest live performance without a break by performing for four and a half hours non-stop.[32]

The concert organised by the Indian Cultural Society (ICS) has been named 'Bolo Ta Ra Ra Ra' in honour of Daler Mehndi's globally popular track by the same name.[33][34][35]

On the eve of Guru Nanak Jayanti, Mehndi was invited to Ulhas Nagar to perform at the world's largest Prabhat Pheri.[36]

In November 2014, Mehndi visited Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh for a performance.[37]

In November 2014, Mehndi was invited to Nigeria for a performance to celebrate Diwali. This was the second time the musician has performed in the country.[38]

Artistry

Mehndi is credited for creating a genre called "Rabbabi", a combination of Thumri, Sufi, and rock and creating an instrument called "Swar Mandir" that combines influences from the Rabab, Swarmandal, and Tanpura. The instrument was crafted by Sanjay Rikhi Ram from Delhi and was launched on 10 February 2012 by the Indian classical music maestro, Bharat Ratna awardee Pandit Ravi Shankar.[39]

Business ventures

Mehndi launched his maiden Record Label 'DRecords' in the year 2000.[40] The record label has several artists under its banner including Hussain Baksh and Safri Boys.[41]

Pop culture

Mehndi's "Tunak Tunak Tun" has found popularity on the internet as a viral video, with the official YouTube video gaining over 200 million views as of November 2022.[42] The video game company Blizzard Entertainment incorporated the Tunak Tunak Tun dance as a character animation in their multiplayer role playing game World of Warcraft.[43] This dance is also included as an easter egg in the video game Medal of Honor: Allied Assault: Spearhead.[44]

Political career

He entered in politics by joining Bharatiya Janata Party on 26 April 2019.[45]

Personal life

Family life

Mehndi is the brother of singers Mika Singh and Shamsher Singh.[46] Mehndi is married to Taranpreet Kaur.[47] He has four children – Gurdeep Mehndi, Ajit Kaur Mehndi, Prabhjot Kaur Mehndi, and Rabaab Kaur Mehndi. His daughter Ajit Kaur Mehndi is married to Navraj Hans, son of Punjabi singer Hans Raj Hans.[48] Gurdeep Mehndi got married NRI model, Jessica Singh in 2016.[49]

Daler Mehndi Green Drive

In 1998, Mehndi launched the "Daler Mehndi Green Drive", inducted in the Special Task Force of the Delhi Government.[50] The drive has planted over 1.2 million saplings in and around Delhi.[51][52]

Charitable causes

Mehndi has performed for charity for Imran Khan's Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust in Pakistan and helped raise $5 million.[53] Mehndi supports charitable causes such as cancer, thalassemia, and AIDS, and has helped to bring up the homeless children of Kenya as well as famine-stricken families in Kalahandi in Orissa, India.[54] He financially supported the families of Kargil martyrs by donating to the Indian government's Kargil Victims' Relief Fund. Mehndi was one of the first celebrities to go and visit the soldiers at Kargil.[55] Mehndi has constructed earthquake resistant houses for the Gujarat earthquake victims; he donated money and performed to raise money for Gujarat cyclone and quake victims, and for police welfare funds. He has donated ₹10 million in Vadodra for the victims of the cyclone in the government aid fund. He took upon himself the reconstruction of a block devastated in the Gujarat quake in Doodhiya village.[56]

Mehndi has set up a Daler Mehndi Food for Life Society in Chander Vihar, Delhi, where a 24-hour kitchen provides food to the destitute and the underprivileged. Mehndi has constructed a Gurudwara Dukh Bhanjani Sahib where every morning people from all castes and religions join together and offer service in the name of god. Mehndi is the only known Indian artist to be invited by the President of Pakistan as a state guest. He gifted his album Bismillah to the President Zardari of Pakistan and the funds generated from its sale were given to the President's charitable fund.[57]

Mehndi voiced his protest against International Basketball Federation's (FIBA) controversial ruling on the use of turbans while playing. The singer made a video to raise awareness about the issue and to have the policy changed.[58][59][60]

Criminal charges

Mehndi and six others were accused in 2003 of cheating people of large sums of money by falsely promising to take them to America.[61] In March 2018, Mehndi was sentenced to two years in prison by Patiala court in a human trafficking case. The singer and his brother Shamsher were charged for illegally sending people abroad as a part of their dance troupes. Daler was arrested after registration of the case and released on bail after a few days.[62] Mehndi said he will appeal against the conviction in a higher court.[61][63]

The Patiala court dismissed his appeal in 2022 and upheld the two year imprisonment, but shortly thereafter his sentence was suspended by the Punjab and Haryana high court and Mehndi was granted bail in September 2022.[64][65]

Discography
  • "No1 Bhapa Bhape da rabb rakha"
  • Bolo Ta Ra Ra.. – 1995
  • Dardi Rab Rab – 1996
  • Ho Jayegi Balle Balle – 1997
  • The Best of Daler Mehndi – album, 1998
  • Tunak Tunak Tun – 1998
  • Ek Dana – 2000
  • Nabi Buba Nabi – 2001
  • Lehriya – 2001
  • Nach Ni Shaam Kaure – 2002
  • Mojaan Laen Do – 2003
  • Shaa Ra Ra Ra – 2004
  • Destiny – 2005
  • Raula Pai Gaya – 2007
  • Eh Lai 100 Rupaiya, 2008
  • Shamla Meri Koko, 2008
  • Jugni, 2008
  • Jorsey, 2009
  • Tunak Tunak Tumba, 2011
  • Bhalo Bhalo re Kirtaniya, 2011
  • Japji Sahib The Libreation Chant, 2011
  • 300 Saal Guru De Naal, 2012
  • Sai Da Malang, 2012
  • Maula Sai, 2012
  • Bismillah, 2012
  • Rajan Ke Raja, 2012
  • Sardaar, 2013
  • Allah Hu, 2013
  • Dukh Banjni Sahib, 2013
  • The Ultimate Truth Mool Mantra, 2013
  • Ik Ardaas Bhaat Kirat KI, 2013
  • Ik Fakir Vadda Mastana, 2013
  • Mere Raam Mere Raam, 2013
  • India India, Patriot music album, 2013
  • Cricket Nahi Yeh Tamasha Hai, 2013
  • Bhaag The Success Anthem, 2013
  • Namoh Namoh, 2013
  • Aaja Mere Twitter Te, 2014
  • Sona Roop Hai Peeli Peeli Sarson, 2014
  • Stop The Flight, 2014
  • Asi Tan Jithe, 2014
  • Dilruba, 2014
  • Baani Dasam Granth, 2014
  • Best of Gurbani, 2014
  • Radha Raman Hari Bol, 2014
  • Bhaag Khilad Bhaag, 2014
  • Party Punjabi, 2015
  • Sabhae Jee Samal, 2015
  • Safai Ki Dhun, 2015
  • Salla Vella Funda, 2015
  • Sohniye, 2015
  • Sabhae Jee Samal, 2015
  • Maa Padmavati, 2015
  • Om Mani Padme Hum, 2015
  • Khalsa, 2015
  • Baba Nanak Mere Naal Naal, 2015
  • Hori Khelungi Baba Bullehshah, 2016
  • Salok Mahalla 9 Jo Sukh Ko Chaahai Sadaa, 2016
  • 350 Saal Sache Patshah Naal, 2016
  • Japji Sahib-with Church Organ, 2016
  • Saahore Baahubali, 2017
  • Reddy Ikkada Soodu, 2018

Filmography
Year Song title Film title Co-singer Language
1997 "Na Na Na Na Re" Mrityudatta Sudesh Bhosle Hindi
1999 "Kudiyan Shaher Diyan" Arjun Pandit Alka Yagnik
2000 "Nach Baby Nach Kudi" Khauff Asha Bhosle
2003 "Kajrare Kajrare Nainawale" Chupke Se solo
2004 "Ru-Ba-Ru" Maqbool Rakesh Pandit, Sabir Khan, Dominique Cerejo
"Nachley" Lakeer – Forbidden Lines Kunal Ganjawala
Agar Zindagi Se Wajahh: A Reason To Kill solo
2005 "Ishq Aasan Hai" Bullet: Ek Dhamaka
"Bhool Na Jaying" Ramji Londonwaley Rakesh Pandit
2006 "Rang De Basanti" Rang De Basanti K. S. Chithra
"Tutiya Ve" Shaadi Se Pehle solo
2007 "Doha" Just Married
"Hum Raks" Kaafila Sukhwinder Singh
"Rabbaru Gajulu" Yamadonga Rabbaru Gajulu Telugu
"Talwar Re" Chhodon Naa Yaar Sunidhi Chauhan Hindi
"Talwar Re (Remix)" Sunidhi Chauhan, Anand Raj Anand
"Talwar Re (Dhol Mix)" Sunidhi Chauhan
"Kash Laga" No Smoking Sukhwinder Singh, Vishal Bhardwaj
"Halla Bol" Goal solo
"Aasman Ko Chukar" Return of Hanuman

References

[66] [67] [68] [69][70]

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