Ustad Pyarelal Wadali, younger brother of Ustad Puran Chand Wadali died in Amritsar on Friday morning. He was 75.
He breathed his last at 4:00 in the morning at Fortis Escorts Hospital in Amritsar where he was admitted on Thursday. He remained there for next five hours as doctors tried to revive him but couldn’t.
Wadali Brothers, who hail from a village near Amritsar, are famous for their Punjabi Sufi music. The duo began performing at Harballah temple in Jalandhar. They are adept in various styles of singing including Kaafian, ghazal and bhajan.
Pyare Lal was the younger of the Wadali brothers. His body will be taken to his native village Wadali where people will be allowed to pay their last respects to the departed soul.
Born into the fifth generation of musicians given to singing the messages of Sufi saints, the Wadali brothers 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 meager family income by playing the role of Krishna in the village raasleela.
Their father, Thakur Das Wadali, compelled Puranchand to learn music. Puranchand studied music from celebrated masters like Pandit Durga Das and Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan of the Patiala Gharana. Pyarelal was trained by his elder brother, whom he considered his mentor and guru.
Wadali brothers received a rousing welcome at 2017 Darpan Awrads during their last trip to Canada.
Wadali Brothers just made our night super amazing. #DarpanAwards #WADALIBROTHERS
Posted by Darpan Magazine on Friday, 15 September 2017
Condolences poured in from the fans and the celebrities:
The Prime Minister's Office tweeted: "Saddened by the demise of Pyarelal Wadali. His renditions attained great popularity globally. His work will continue to draw people towards the joys of Sufi music. May his soul rest in peace."
Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal and central Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma also paid condolences.
Badal wrote: "I'm deeply saddned to hear about the demise of Pyarelal of Wadali Brothers - the epitome of Sufi music. It is an unbearable loss to the music world."
Sharma said it was a "sad day for the music industry and music lovers".
Sidhu said Pyarelal Wadali was an exceptional singer devoted to Punjabi and his demise had left a deep void in the Punjabi Sufi singing arena.
Punjab Kala Parishad Chairman Surjit Patar said the death was a big loss to Sufi music.
Really Sad News That #PunjabiMusicIndustryPearl #Repected #UstadPyareLalWadaliJi Is #NoMore.May The Departed Soul Rest in Peace. Sanskar Timing : 3 Pm at Guru ki Wadali Amritsar.
Posted by Wadali Brother's on Thursday, 8 March 2018
#Ustad #Pyarelal #Wadali ji is No More... Really sad day for Music lovers...đ đ #RESPECT #RIP
Posted by Vipin Kumar on Thursday, 8 March 2018
Chacha pyare Lal Ji No More. May His soul always Rest In peace đđđŒ Data hi data #Lakhwinderwadali
Posted by Lakhwinder Wadali on Thursday, 8 March 2018
Really sad day for Punjabi Music.. Respected Ustaad Pyarelal Wadali ji is No More.. May the departed soul Rest In Peace đ
Posted by Jassi Jasraj on Thursday, 8 March 2018
