Bhangra legend King of the music industry talks about the industries, ups and downs and his success.
1968 was the year when you started your journey, how did that journey start?
My journey started at a very early age, going back to 1966/67 when our father used to take us to the Gurdwara. Our community was very small & there was a Dholki in the Gurdwara but no one to play so I just started to mess around, slowly 1 person started to sing religious songs & 1 person started to play Chimta & I started to play Dholki and in January 1968 was our first programme in the Gurdwara and that was my starting to become a musician ji.
As we all know the bhangra music industry started in Birmingham, you played a key part in this. Please tell us what your involvement was.
I played a very very big part as a musician not only I played Dholki but I used to move my body with the rhythm and also created the first Dholki stand & then a table stand because we used to use a chair to put the Dholki to play.
Why did you decide to play the Dhol?
It’s funny really because I was happy playing the Dholki BUT I used to do my Dholki sewa in a SNM & it was there idea to create a Bhangra team and they bought me a Dhol & said here it is you play from there I started to practice & practice and also started to dance while playing the Dhol to create a new craze worldwide.
You have taken pride in what you do and with your unique skill set you have made the Dhol popular around the world, what does is feel like to have achieved this?
Well not only I made Dhol popular but I actually introduced the Dhol Worldwide and it’s a wonderful feeling that I done something good & positive for our art & culture.
Since 1977 you have been teaching young people the art of playing the Dhol, why did you go into teaching?
I thought if god given me a gift then I need to share it not only Dhol but also Bhangra dance over the years I have coached & Choreographed some of the top Bhangra dancing teams in the UK, I think some things just happy for a reason without any planning but I’m so glad god given me these gifts where I been sharing & passing onto thousands of youngsters across the world.
We can see in the industry you seem to be the only individual who has received numerous outstanding awards for your achievements, how does that make you feel?
Yes I have received the biggest amount of awards they any Indian artist in the UK, That shows I done something positive for our arts. It is a great wonderful feeling that with god’s blessings I have done something good & positive in life.
As a teacher you have worked with many young individuals, as you are aware it is easy for the youth of today to take the wrong path. What would you message be to the young individuals about taking part in your Dhol groups.
My message to the younger generation is that we started when all the doors was closed with big padlocks and with our hard work we have busted the padlocks & opened the doors for them so all they have to do is learn the art form properly, work very hard and the credit & money is there but please stay away from drink & drugs.
What is it about the Dhol you love most?
When I started on the Dhol it is the most beautiful thing that happened to me because it gives me pleasure, excitement and happiness that’s the same thing I give back to the people when I perform.
What have been your most memorable musical moments?
There are so so many to name but here’s just few –
- When we the first Punjabi team to play in front of her majesty the Queen on her golden jubilee at the symphony hall, Birmingham & than at the Pride Park, Derby.
- At the LIVE8 alongside UB40 on the same stage as some of the biggest superstars in the world with over 200,000 crowed (first Indian team in UK to play in front of such a big crowed)
- When I organised the 2nd Dhol World record 2009 than I organised the Dholis Got Talent.
- When I received the “Arts Leadership Midlander of the Year” Award from ITV tv.
- When I received the “British Empire Medal” ————- these are just few named.
You have worked with some of the biggest artist in the industry both Asian and main stream, how did these collaborations happen?
Apart from being a Dhol player and Bhangra dance teacher but I also write & produce music so any project I think it needs to be big and every time I approached any artist they never said no, so it’s a great feeling to work not just with our Asian artists but to work with non-Asians artists too, as I say music & dance have no barriers & it’s liked & loved by all.
You have performed at many world-class events, which would you say is your memorable one?
The LIVE8 London Hyde Park, because it had the biggest superstars, it had the biggest stage & it had the biggest crowed.
DHOL BLASTERS International Band?
The Dhol blasters have taken on numerous assignments all over the world and have enthralled audiences with their rhythmic and intricate drumming, dancing routines. We talk to the team about their success.
1st thing is 1st what prompted you to set up Dhol Blasters?
It just happened I was teaching these students and then I was taking them to charity shows and festivals performing free. So I thought I need to give them a good but simple name DHOL is the drum and BLASTERS are the players who play & blast the sound = “Dhol Blasters”
Where did the concept come from?
I like to create new ideas and people was asking for Dhol players so I used to take my students by giving them the name as Dhol Blasters – (it is the first Dhol team in the world).
When was Dhol Blasters formed?
Dhol Blasters was formed from my students in 1985
There are 7 members of Dhol Blasters, how did you all meet?
These were my students I used to teach, we got a lot more but these are my regular boys apart from Kaka trumpet player bhaji.
As a band you all have different instruments you play
Yes because we used to be just Dhol players, then we became Band Baja & now singing band too.
King G mall – Dhol/Dholki
Parshotam Rai – Trumpet/KeyBoards/Harmonium
Jeeta Singh- Singer/Lead Vocals
Harvey Bahra – Dhol
Upkar Chaggar – Dhol
Aaron Chander – Dhol/Tabla
Runveer Singh – Algozey/Tumbi/Dhol/Banjo
How did each member learn to play their instrument, and why.
King G Mall – as a child in Ludhiana started playing a pipa can and came to England started to play Dholki & then going onto Dhol, played with some of the biggest superstars Asian & non-Asians.
Parshotam Ral – I started off on bugle horn as part of a marching band at school. I wanted to learn bugle/trumpet because I have a passion for music and in particular brass instruments. I come from a musical family with my older brothers playing many Indian and western different instruments and they have played with many bands and artists from India and afar over the years.
I also play harmonium/keyboard and have played for many bands with the main one being Apna Sangeet. I was encouraged and influenced by my older brothers to play harmonium/keyboards and at present I play keyboard, trumpet and sing.
Amarjit (Jeeta) Singh lead singer – started with Dhol Blasters and the guidance of King G Mall who coached me to become a good singer.
Upkar Chaggar /Harvey Bahra / Aaron Chander – All started many years ago on Dhol under the guidance and teachings of King G Mall. All have a passion for Indian percussion in particular the Dhol.
Runveer Singh – I started off on Dhol under the guidance and teachings of King G Mall in the early 2000’s and progressed through the classes over many years. I love the energy and positive vibes the Dhol and the Dhol player brings to special occasions where is mostly played. Over the years i have come across many other artists (part of Dhol blasters and externally from group) who played different instruments other than Dhol.
By being part of the Dhol blasters it allowed me to network with artists I wouldn’t normally have come across who played many different folk and western instruments. As part of my musical journey I met artists who played tumbi, algozey and banjo (bulbul tarang). I instantly took to these folk instruments when I heard them being played live. I learnt over the years, and still learning, by watching my peers and listening to old folk songs where these instruments were more commonly played. It was by carefully listening to these folk songs I was able to replicate the same sound/music pieces on my instruments.
Why did you decide to do the song?
One day team members said let’s do a song for the team and I said ok , so there was 2 songs Asti course lines I written and 1 Asti they liked and we decided to go with that.
How did you come up with the lyrics?
The melody and the course lines was written by myself and the idea in my brain came from “aaj mere yaar ki shaddi” I thought it’s about time we came with our desi Punjabi lyric & melody so I wrote the main course lines and the rest of the lyrics was written by Amarjit Jeeta.
Again ‘’Yaar Da Viah’’ clearly show Dhol Blasters team effort with both the song and video, how did you coordinate this?
Most of the ideas are mine simply I am a creator, I wrote the story lines & directed the video and I put them forward to the team & normally they always agree because I explain to them the reasons.
As a band if you had one wish to perform with a major star dead or alive who would that be?
As individuals in the band we have performed with most major Punjabi artists past and present. The artists we wish we could perform with include Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Lata Mangeshkar, Chamkilla, Snoop Dogg, and Michael Jackson.
And as a team what have been your most memorable musical moments?
- The biggest show – Music Build Bridges, Dholis Got Talent & world records
- World Record: – Biggest Number of Dholis – 1) 314 – 2) 632.
- Non Stop Dholathon to raise money for charities – 42hrs & then 53hrs
- 2,552 – Biggest amount of Bhangra Dancers
- Biggest Show “Live 8 – Over 200,000 Crowed.
What can we expect from Dhol Blasters next?
Performing & taking part in the next biggest amount of international Bhangra dancers in Punjab which I myself is the organiser & artistic director for the World Record – 1st November 2018.
What message would you like to leave with your fans for your new release?
We the King G Mall’s “Dhol Blasters International Band” like to thank all our friends & fans for all the love & respect they been giving us.
NOW we need their support to download this wonderful happy family wedding mega dance Bhangra track which can be played before the wedding at a wedding after the wedding or anniversary.
THANK YOU!!! GOD BLESS OUR FRIENDS & FANS AND ALSO UK PRIMER.
