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Daler Mehndi has wowed the world of music ever since the ’90s! He brought bhangra music to the forefront by innovating and adding a pop vibe to his songs. Since the last couple years, he has been focusing more on devotional musical music. He is back with some new music and shared with us all the details regarding it and also with working with his baby daughter!
What inspired you to create a track dedicated to Baba Nanak and how did you conceive of this song?
Daler Mehndi: I am what I am because of Baba Nanak. The lives of my Guru’s have inspired me all my life and are the backbone of my thoughts and expressions. I have learnt to live like a King from my Guru’s, in fact the love for nature, farming, environment stems from my Guru’s teachings. The power, the act of striking a balance between care freeness and responsibility; living without a baggage all of this and more, the zeal of giving, sharing and above all gratitude is the wealth I am bestowed with. Living like this is exhilarating and blissful.
To be able to witness emotions and experiences like this, is solely because My Guru’s have lived by example and paved a path for lesser mortals like us by teaching us the true Art of Living, where your life force is to be nourished and enjoyed like a King.
“Baba Nanak Mere Naal Naal,
Kis bande di hai kee majaal,
Jo vekhe bhaeri akh naal,
Mere sir te Baba Nanak tu.
Beparvaiyan, Beparvaiyan… Beparvaiyan hai din raat raat,
Tu sunda ee dil di baat baat”
These words are the motto of my life. When you realize in body, mind and spirit that there Is a God, that there Is a Guru and that your life’s existence depends on this faith and belief; then you come to a state of joy and you become carefree. You know that your problems will be solved, your wishes granted, your affairs will be taken care of. These feelings gave birth to this song.
How did the idea of recording with your 12 month old daughter occur to you?
Daler Mehndi: These words were going on in my head for over a month and my preoccupations were refraining its dubbing, until one night, after calling it a day and packing off from the studios when I couldn’t wait any longer, I called back my sound engineer Aakash to the studio. We recorded it at 11:30 PM in 15 minutes.
The next day I called all other musicians to come and dub their parts when Rabaab (who is always there during my rehearsals and dubbings) started humming Dhan Guru Nanak. She sings Dhan Guru Nanak in our Gurdwara every morning as a routine, but that, it will come out so beautiful was just bewildering. These words Dhan Guru Nanak were not a part of the song until she hummed and I copied and then recorded her singing it after me.
Tell us more about your relationship with Rabaab.
Daler Mehndi: She has brought carefreeness, peace and lots of joy into my life. Sometimes I feel, it’s my late mother Bibi who has come back.
How long did the recording take?
Daler Mehndi: I dubbed the song in the night and the next day, Rabaab sang Dhan Guru Nanak. After that the music and mixing the song took over a month to bring it to its current state.
Why did you select this particular song and not any other, may be something that would describe a father daughter relationship?
Daler Mehndi: What better gift can nature give to a parent or a child where they get the opportunity to sing in the praise and gratitude of the Almighty. As I told you, it wasn’t planned so I feel it’s a Divine intervention that I am grateful for.
Would you want Rabaab to be a singer once she grows up?
Daler Mehndi: Yes, Of course! In fact, I hope Rabaab becomes a leading singer in the industry in the. To see her show so much enthusiasm at such a young age gives me immense happiness. But you can blame the genes for that. She has the Gene pool and I pray that she is blessed with the techniques and love for music.(Laughs)
Does Rabaab have any favorite songs – i.e. any tunes that she starts dancing to every time she listens to it?
Daler Mehndi: Bolo Ta Ra Ra, Dardi Rab Rab, Tunak Tunak Tun and recently has taken a penchant for her Navraj Bhaji’s ( Navraj Hans ) Pitbull v/s Angelina, Bajirao Mastani – Pinga and Mirziya.
Be sure to support this lovely new track from Daler Mehndi!
