We sing for the love of it, not for money: Wadali Brothers

A quick Google search on the Wadali Brothers takes one to their humble beginnings from their ancestral house in Guru Ki Wadali, a small village in Amritsar. Born into a family of musicians, the fifth generation artistes dabbled in the most unexpected of professions before they became Sufi singers. While Puranchand Wadali, the elder brother, was a regular in an akhara (wrestling ring) for 25 years, Pyarelal contributed to the meagre family income by playing the role of Krishna in village Rasleelas. However, despite his disinterest in music, Puranchand was forced into music by their father Thakur Das. Puranchand studied Sufi music from celebrated masters like Pandit Durga Das and Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan of the Patiala Gharana (house of musical heritage). Later, Pyarelal was trained by his elder brother. In 1972, the Wadali Brothers, after performing a few shows in their village, got a chance to sing on a radio show, followed by live concerts across the country. Today, after almost four decades in the industry, the Wadali Brothers are a legend in their own lifetime. Their canvas is as vast as the ocean with the brothers dabbling in the gurbani, kafi, ghazal and bhajan genres of music. “It’s been a splendid journey. We are very fortunate and we are still learning,” say the unassuming brothers in unison. For the Wadalis, a performance goes beyond demonstrating their singing prowess. Rather, it is just an extension of what they do on a daily basis — sing of the greatness of the one supreme being, referred to as the Beloved by the Sufis. “The Beloved is given several names — as many as the places of worship — called Ram by some and Allah by others — we are happy to sing them all,” says Puranchand. 

It is this unique brand of music that the brothers will be bringing to the city for the first time. “We will be performing some Sufi music, some of our film compositions and bhajans. We will also see the audience’s reaction to it and play accordingly. Because, the audiences have varied tastes today,” says Pyarelal. Speaking of changing sensibilities, the understanding and adulation that Sufi music enjoys among today’s generation is perhaps in the minority. The brothers, however, beg to differ. “That’s a vast generalisation to make. Music is music. If it’s good music people will appreciate it irrespective of the genre and we make sure that people love it for the way it is. Good music will always thrive,” they reason. But hasn’t music become a visual rather than an aural medium today? “For our part, we make sure our music is pleasing to the ears.”  

However, it is their humility that is the most endearing quality of the Wadalis. And that is perhaps why they have stayed away from commercial recordings. Most of their albums are from their live concerts. Their filmography is also limited to a handful that include compositions for films like Pinjar, Dhoop, Tanu Weds Manu and Mausam. They still live in their ancestral house, teach music to those who promise to preserve it, and don’t charge their disciples. “We were never interested in commercially exploiting our popularity. We don’t sing for money but for the love of it. It is our homage to the Beloved,” they finish.