punjabi singers -- Lal Chand Yamla Jatt

Lal Chand Yamla Jat / Jatt ( March 28, 1914 - December 20, 1991 ) was a renowned folk singer from The Punjab colloquially known was "Ustad Ji". Yamla Jatt was widely revered as "ustad" among his singer contemporaries and as "yamla jatt" by his audience. His trademark was his soft strumming of tumbi and his turban tying style known traditionally as "Turla". The doyen of the Punjabi music and an artist who arguably laid the foundation of contemporary music in Eastern Punjab.

Early life

He was born to Khera Ram and Harnam Kaur in a chamar family. His birthplace was Chakk no. 384 in Lyallpur district in Pakistan and after partition of India in 1947 he relocated to Ludhiana in India. He was trained in vocal singing by Pandit Dyall ji and Chaudhry Majid and his writing skills were honed by Sundar das aasi. He got married to Ram Rakhi in 1930, with whom he had two daughters and five sons. His eldest son is Kartar Chand and younger one is Jasdev Chand.

Career

His most famous songs were "Das mein ki pyar wichon khatya" and "Satgur Nanak teri leela nyaari ae". He recorded duet songs with Mohinderjit Kaur Sekhon, who was a recording artist with AIR, Jalandhar. He also popularized singing of Dulla Bhatti, Shahni Kaulan and Puran Bhagat. His first recording was with HMV in 1952 and till last he remained with HMV. He performed all over the world and many times performed with the late great Alam Lohar, they were also good friends. He also popularized Tumbi, a traditional North Indian instrument. Much of his music has been sampled by Panjabi MC.

Awards

He was awarded Gold medal By Indian Prime minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru in 1956. He was awarded a lifetime contribution award in 1989 by National Academy of Dance, Drama and Music, Delhi, India.

Death

He slipped on the floor of his home resulting in a hip fracture and which also resulted in gangrene formation in his hurt foot (owing to his diabetec condition)- further deteriorating his health. The day he died, his leg was to be amputated in Mohan Devi Oswal Hospital, Ludhiana.

Discography

• Khedan De Din Chaar
• Jawani Meri Rangli
• Das Main Ki Pyar Wichon Khatya
• Satguru Nanak Teri Leela Neyaari
• Hits of Lal Chand Yamla Jatt

Top Songs

• Das Main Ki Pyar Wichon
• Charka Rondan Vekhe
• Nion Ke Phadin Jawanan
• Mai teri tu mera
• Whiskey Di Botal Wargi