On the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, singer, songwriter, author and record producer Daler Mehndi released a new song. Christy Varghese uses the opportunity to talk about his devotion and more
Think Bhangra and the first name that comes to everyone’s mind is Daler Mehndi. The voice behind popular hits, from Bolo Ta Ra Ra Ra, Tunak Tunak to Ho Jayegi Balle Balle, is not just restricted to the upbeat genre, though. Someone who is popular for his exuberant energy in all his music videos, he has also lent his voice to some iconic songs that were featured in Bollywood such as Jiyo Re Bahubali, Zor Ka Jhatka and the title track for Dangal.
On the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, Mehndi recently released Chintamani Ganesha, a song which is underlined by his trademark energy and the devotional song provided us with an opportunity to speak with the living legend himself.
It took some time, and lots of coordination, but Mehndi managed to make enough time for a quick chat with us, in between shows. After performing for two hours, he says he has to drive for another hour before he reaches the next venue in time for an hour-long show. That surprises us, someone of his stature, would he not have a retinue of chauffeur-driven cars at his disposal?
When we express our surprise, Mehndi laughs before sharing, “I like driving myself. I think driving keeps my mind sharp, one can’t really drive if they are lazy. Sure, whenever I am on the road, a few drivers always accompany me and there is at least one other car behind me, but I like driving myself, humming some ghazals.”
Energetic. That is probably the most appropriate word in the dictionary if you have to describe Mehndi with one word. All his videos feature him having the time of his life, with a wide smile plastered on his face.
We thought it would be prudent to ask him from where does he obtain his signature energy and whether he is always like that, full of life? “You know, you are not the first person to ask this,” he says with a smile, “Right before my last performance the organisers asked me what’s my poison, and when I told them I would like a cup of hot tea, they were surprised. I am used to that reaction, when people see me, they might think that I drink. To them that is the source of unrestrained energy; however, for me, music is the substance of choice. I would say that at least 99 per cent of my life is spent being energetic. And the remaining one per cent? It might be more than one per cent, I think, but whenever I turn away from music, I see the troubles and strives of our fellow people. Otherwise, I believe I have a lot to be thankful for, and that alone is enough to keep me happy.”
Speaking about Chintamani Ganesha and Ganesh Chaturthi, he went on to reveal, “Bolo Ta Ra Ra Ra, my first album, released in 1995 during Ganesh Chaturthi. It broke all records back then and I have never looked back, since. My own sentimental connection with the festival aside, I think this 10-day festival Ganesh Chaturthi offers respite from monotony to people. Against the backdrop of the pandemic my own sentimental connection aside, it is one of the festivals which bring happiness, and respite from the monotony of life, something we all could use in these pandemic times, which is why I released the song Chintamani Ganesha — wo sab ki chinta door karte hai...”
Mehndi is someone who is openly religious and can be seen periodically celebrating occasions with songs of worship across the country. Earlier this year, he penned and performed an exclusive bhajan at the Vaishno Devi shrine, to signify the commencement of Navratri. He expresses his belief that all religions promote the same message of love and harmony, and if he receives the opportunity to celebrate a god with his god-given gift, he won’t shy away from doing so.
“I was born to a conventional family in Patna, Bihar and grew up listening to the melodies of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, which is composed in and divided into a total of 60 ragas which combine the hymns of many saints. The teachings of Guru Granth happen to be something I hold dear. It taught me to respect all the faiths across the globe. We all are one, ultimately. I have never felt that ‘oh, this is a God that I don’t worship, hence I should not sing their praises.’ If I can lend my voice to celebrate a god, I will happily do so without any qualms,” he shares.
As our conversation deviated from the script, like most good conversations do, he went on to reminisce about the distant past, grateful for everything, including the people he met and had a hand in Daler Singh becoming Daler Mehndi. “I ran away from home in 1982 to learn music from Rahat Ali Khan from Gorakhpur, who was kind enough to teach me the finer nuances of the Patiala Gharana style of Indian classical music. Another teacher was ghazal maestro Parvez Mehdi, from whose name, the celebrated suffix Mehndi got added to my name. Back then I wanted everything that one would have wanted in those times. My name and photograph on hoardings, and the likes, I am sure you know what I mean. I am glad fame came knocking on my door much later, in 1995, after Bolo Ta Ra Ra Ra, because then I did not let it get to my head,” he ruminates thoughtfully, before adding, “Now my only dream is to share different types of music with the world. I am not one to brag but when big names of the west, like Deadmau5 or Marshmello, come to India they seek me out, all by the grace of God. And if God wills, I will go a long way, yet. I am still hungry to showcase my energy with a lot more music.”
One thing that was on our script, and that we did not forget to ask about was a little story concerning Tunak Tunak, which is arguably Mehndi’s biggest hit. The song’s video, which was made on a then unprecedented budget of $610,000, features hundreds of CGI versions of the singer dancing to the catchy beat of the song. We found a lot of anecdotes on the internet, but no original quotes by the singer behind the hit. Well, the story is as follows, in the words of the living legend himself, “Certain popular journalists had said that I became popular only since women are dancing with me in my videos. And I don’t remember what happened, I suppose I was just extremely angry with them and took it personally. I challenged them that I will release a song which will feature only my voice and only me in the video. And all credit goes to the supreme power above us all, that song was a hit. The very first day witnessed the sale of over 10 lakh units of cassettes being and two lakh CDs.”
Well, it is clear who won that challenge. The beats of Tunak Tunak happen to be a cult hit in South Korea, with just about every kid having heard that tune at least once since it is played in the background of advertisement of food items in the country.
Since he had to prepare for his next performance, we had to cut our conversation short with one last question — as a record producer, what does he expect from emerging talent? “Well, kids these days are versatile. The current young generation is extremely lucky. everything is just the swipe on a smartphone away. Whatever information you seek, is available through multiple reliable sources. The talent that is emerging is extremely talented. My only advise to someone who wants to make something of themselves in the music industry, is that they should stay away from drugs and liquor. And another factor I don’t compromise on is that the person should be down to earth, and be willing to learn,” Mehndi concludes with a warm smile.
