Introduction

Punjabi pop sensation Daler Mehndi was brought up in a family of singers and musicians who have been in this profession for seven generations. Daler was influenced by music at a very young age by his parents who taught him different ragas and shabads from the GuruGranth Sahib Ji. When he was 11 years old, he ran away from home to get trained under Late Ustad Raahat Ali Khan Sahib of Gorakhpur. His main reason was to be trained not only for his vocal skills but also to learn tabla, harmonium and tanpura. In 1995, he became a superstar with his debut album ‘Bolo Ta Ra Ra’ that sold over half a million copies within four months of release. It became the best-selling non-soundtrack album in Indian chart history.Mehndi demonstrates his versatile music score from ‘Bolo Ta Ra Ra’ to the rocking ‘BalleBalle&Jalwa’. The unforgettable‘Tunak Tunak Tun’ and the electrifying ‘Ru -Ba –Ru’have created a permanent space in his fan’s hearts.

Early Life

He did his first stage performance in front of a large gathering of 20,000 people in the city of Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh when he was only 13. He had then formed a group with his cousins, musician friends and brothers for the performance.

His intense and dedicated training led him to singing ghazals inspired by the poetry of Qateel Shifali and Firaq Gorakhpuri. Later, he moved away from classical music to pop.

His debut album ‘Bolo Tara Tara’ sold over a half million copies within four months. It then became the bestselling non-soundtrack album in Indian chart history. He earned the title Mehndi and was honored as Channel V’s Best Indian Male Pop Artist Award. Besides that, he also gave versatile performances in films like Mrityudata and Arjun Pundit.

Entry into Bollywood

Daler Mehndi entered the Bollywood industry with a scintillating number featured in the movie Mrityudata starring legendary superstar Amitabh Bachchan. It made him a national superstar.

Recognition and Awards

• In 1998, Daler was signed by Coca Cola Company to endorse their product. The ad was featured in 30 concerts across India.

• In 2000, he launched his maiden Record Label ‘DRecords’ that has several artists under its banner including HussainBaksh, Safri Boys and more.

• In September 5, 2004, he broke his own record for the longest live performance at his first ever performance in Kuwait at the Al Daiya Indoor Stadium.

• In August 2014, he performed at the National Indian American Public Policy Institute Azadi Diwas (NIAPPI) celebrations on the 65th Independence Day (India) in New York.

• He introduced new instrument called "Swar Mandir", a combination of Thumri, Sufi and rock influenced from the Rabab, Swarmandal and Tanpura.

• He merged rock and bhangra with his album titled Mojaan Laen Do.