Daler Mehndi Biography

He is the most celebrated Bhangra-Pop singer of India. His Bhangra- Pop songs went viral worldwide and he made all of us dance to his tunes. We are talking about none other than the Bhangra- Pop singer Daler Mehndi. Mehndi was a student of traditional Punjabi Music and his debut album has broken all the sales records in India. Since 90s decade, he has delivered some most successful Bhangra songs and also contributed to Bollywood songs as well. His international popularity grew tremendous which made him tour the United States. Besides singing, Mehndi is actively involved in philanthropic activities. He funds beautification projects in Delhi and also aided for earthquake victims. The singer has established the Daler Mehndi Green Drive to help make a cleaner environment in Delhi. Mehndi has donated a huge amount of 85 million rupees to the green drive. He has also donated 12 million rupees to Kargil charities. He has funded to build 16 houses after the Gujarat earthquake. The big-hearted guy has helped to rehabilitate the victims of the Orissa Cyclone and the street children.

The talented high-pitched singer was born on 18th August 1967 in Patna, Bihar in a Sikh family. He was raised in Patna. Daler started singing at a very young age of 6 years. He has been taught by his parents the ragas and Shabads from the Guru Granth Sahib.

When he was fourteen years old, he spent three years to refine his voice. He learnt instruments like Tabla, Dhol, Tanpura and Harmonium from Ustad Rahat Ali Khan Saheb of Gorakhpur. When he grew up, he shifted to San Francisco and used to work there as a cab driver. He returned to India in 1991 and formed a band. Initially, he used to sing Ghazals which were inspired by poets like Firaq Gorakhpuri and Qateel Shifai.

Eventually, Mehndi shifted from classical music to pop. His first album Bolo Ta Ra Ra was released in 1995 and it was a huge hit. He reveals that the album was based on the tunes which were given by his mother. The album sold half a million copies in four months and total sell was 20 million copies. It made that album as the best selling non-soundtrack album in Indian music history. Daler got an award in 1994 for Voice of Asia International Ethnic and Pop Music contest. He also received Channel V's Best Male Pop Singer Award for Dar Di Rab Rab in 1996. He got the same award in 1997 for Ho Jayegi Balle Balle. The singer was also seen performing on dance numbers in the films like 'Arjun Pandit' and 'Mrityudaata'.

He was the guest star on the show Galli Galli Sim Sim, an Indian version of Sesame Street. His next album 'Tunak Tunak Tun' became an international phenomenon. Daler's wild dance in this song led to many homages and parodies at that time. It was the first music video to make use of the blue screen technology in India. Some of the popular songs for which Daler has become famous are Rang De Basanti, Nach Le, Bhootni Ke, Mere Desh Ki Dharti, Dulha Mil Gaya, Karle Baby Dance Wance, Aila re Aila, Zor Ka Jhatka, Chamki Jawaani etc.

Dealers forte is a type of Hindi- Pop which is infused with the traditional Sikh musical tradition known as Rababi. It is a sound which is similar to Techno, house and dance music combined with the folk sounds of the tabla. He revived the Bhangra music , which is a national pride to Indian people. Bhangra depicts an ease of dancing amongst people. A great fan of automobiles, Daler owns a Prado. He hopes to purchase a Hummer in the future.