Pyarelal Wadali, the youngest of the Wadali Brothers from Amritsar, died this morning. He was 75. The Sufi singer who, along with his elder brother Puran Chand Wadali, immortalised the works of Bulleh Shah, Amir Khusro, and Surdas, suffered a cardiac arrest and died at the Fortis Escorts Hospital in Amritsar.
#Punjab: Family mourns the death of Pyarelal Wadali, one of the singers of legendary Sufi set Wadali Brothers, who passed away in Amritsar after cardiac arrest. His last rites will be performed in Guru Ki Wadali, Amritsar. pic.twitter.com/XPezbGGzp9
— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2018
Born into the fifth generation of musicians, the Wadali Brothers became prominent figures for singing the gurbani, kafi, ghazal and bhajan genres of music. Together, they’ve won several awards together including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1992, the Tulsi Award in 1998, and the Punjab Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2003 to name a few.
They sang for some Bollywood films, too, including Pinjar (2003), Dhoop (2003), Tanu Weds Manu (2011), and Mausam (2011).
‘Tu Maane Ya Na Maane’, a classic song by the duo, talks about how loving one’s beloved is as sacred as worshiping God. They had even performed a version of it for Coke Studio India, season one.
Celebrities, politicians have since paid tribute to Pyarelal on social media.
Saddened by the demise of Shri 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: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 9, 2018
We are deeply saddened to hear that the legendary Sufi singer Shri Pyarelal Wadali is no more. His musical legacy will live on. Our condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/NVeOM3EKM2
— Congress (@INCIndia) March 9, 2018
Sad day for the music industry and music lovers !! #PyareLalWadali ji is no more with us..may his soul rest in peace ???? pic.twitter.com/y1kncGQ0Zb
— Richa Sharma (@TheRichaSharma) March 9, 2018
Wadali brothers have charmed us with their earthy mix of mystical Sufi poetry and energetic qawwalis, and an endearing sense of humour. Sad to hear of the passing of the younger one, Pyarelal. RIP #PyareLalWadali https://t.co/Si7TPPcubE
— Madhavan Narayanan (@madversity) March 9, 2018
A sad day for the world of music… can’t believe the legendary #PyareLalWadali ji is no more..
May God bless his soul.. His music will always remain alive ?? pic.twitter.com/CedVODt4jd— Harshdeep Kaur (@HarshdeepKaur) March 9, 2018
Feature Image: IMDB