Punjab to Southall: An Indian migrant’s musical journey

Channi Singh introduced a new genre of bhangra to Asian youth caught between two cultures.

There are many success stories in diaspora communities linked to the Indian subcontinent in various countries. Migrants who found new homes have excelled in various fields, including business, politics, education and culture. Some adapt too quickly to new environs, amusingly taking on new accents and even new (Anglicised) names, while others succeed by retaining their roots and growing in host countries.

Channi Singh, often described as the ‘godfather of bhangra’, is one such individual, who arrived in London in 1976, went on achieve several milestones in his music career over the decades, but retains the easy, earthy affability associated with people with roots in Punjab. It is fair to say that for one born in the Salar village in Malerkotla, who as a child would often sing Man dole, mera tan dole from Nagin (1954) in exchange for a paisa when requested by his teacher, and later dabbled in wrestling, Singh has come a long way.

A long-time resident of Southall, Singh recalls that he graduated from Government College, Malerkotla, and completed his MA in English Literature from DAV College, Jalandhar. His journey in music wasn’t easy initially. He was a disciple of Baldev Narang, an exponent of classical music. He auditioned at the Jalandhar station of All India Radio and for some recording companies, but was rejected on every occasion. After his marriage to Dhanwant Kaur, he moved to London, where his journey in music slowly but surely broke barriers in Britain at the time and reached new heights, introducing a new genre of bhangra to Asian youth caught between two cultures.

“I have been lucky, the family supported, Mona now guides me,” Singh says with a hint of satisfaction recalling his journey from a village in Punjab to heights of global music.