Amar Singh Chamkila
Amar Singh Chamkila was born as Dunni Ram on July 21, 1961 in the village o… Read Full Bio ↴Amar Singh Chamkila was born as Dunni Ram on July 21, 1961 in the village of Dugri near Ludhiana, Punjab, India. The youngest child of Kartar Kaur and Hari Singh, he was educated at Gujar Khan Primary School in Dugri. His aspirations of becoming an electrician were unfulfilled and he found work at a Ludhiana cloth mill.
With a natural aptitude for music, he learned to play the harmonium and dholki and won himself the opportunity to play alongside Punjabi folk artists such as K. Deep, Mohammad Saddiq and Surinder Shinda. He wrote several songs for Shinda and accompanied him as a member of his entourage before deciding to pursue a solo career. He was married and subsequently divorced. He had one son and one daughter.
Adopting the name Amar Singh Chamkila – Chamkila in Punjabi means one that glitters – he partnered up with the female vocalist Surinder Sonia and recorded eight duets. The record was released in 1979 and was produced by Charanjit Ahuja. The cleverly worded songs, which he had written himself, became hits across Punjab and paved the way for the unique lyrical mastery his fans would come to expect.
In 1980, Chamkila left Sonia and established a short-lived stage relationship with Miss Usha. He left Miss Usha in the same year in favor of teaming up with a female folk singer named Amarjot. She would become Chamkila’s permanent singing partner providing the female vocals for his duets, that is, the majority of the songs that he wrote.
Chamkila wrote his own lyrics, the majority of which were boyish, suggestive and titillating, and yet fluent, commentaries on extra-marital affairs, alcohol and drugs. The couple’s appeal grew not only in the Punjab, but they quickly raced to international stardom among Punjabis abroad. By the early 1980s, Chamkila and Amarjot had recorded hugely successful LPs on the HMV label and they toured Canada, USA, Dubai and Bahrain. They were also commonly booked for wedding parties, charging a reported Rs. 4000 per performance, an unprecedented amount for the time.
Much of Chamkila’s success may be attributed to the fan-base he acquired performing in free, open-air concerts (known as akhade in Punjabi) around Punjab. Accompanying the couple would be a harmonium and dholki player and Chamkila would play the tumbi, an instrument that he had mastered. The concerts served as a medium for gaining exposure and testing people’s response to new songs that were planned for future recordings. In addition to singing his own songs, Chamkila wrote several songs and sold them to other artists.
Starting in 1985, Chamkila and Amarjot released three religious LPs: Baba Tera Nankana, Talwar Main Kalgidhar Di Haan and Naam Jap Le. While the LPs were highly successful, none of the songs featured on them were written by Chamkila. The profits made from these LPs were reportedly donated to charities. His religious album were huge hits and allowed him to be able to sing at religious function and in front of women.
Chamkila’s song Pehle Lalkare Naal was featured in the soundtrack of the 1987 Punjabi film Patola. He also recorded the song 'Mera Jee Karda' for the Punjabi film 'Dupatta'. Both films faired averagely at the box office, but still increased Chamkila's popularity. He also recorded a music video for one of his songs for the state-owned 'Doordarshan' channel, but after his death his video was taken off the air.
Chamkila and Amarjot recorded in excess of ninety songs before they were killed in Mesumpur, Punjab in 1988. At the time of his death, he reportedly had 200 songs that had not been sung or recorded.
Having arrived to perform in Mesumpur, Punjab, both Chamkila and Amarjot were gunned down as they exited their vehicle on March 8, 1988. A gang of motorcyclists fired several rounds fatally wounding the couple and other members of the entourage.
No arrests were ever made with connection to the shooting and the case was never solved. The reason for the murder is the subject of speculation and is shrouded in mystery.
With a natural aptitude for music, he learned to play the harmonium and dholki and won himself the opportunity to play alongside Punjabi folk artists such as K. Deep, Mohammad Saddiq and Surinder Shinda. He wrote several songs for Shinda and accompanied him as a member of his entourage before deciding to pursue a solo career. He was married and subsequently divorced. He had one son and one daughter.
Adopting the name Amar Singh Chamkila – Chamkila in Punjabi means one that glitters – he partnered up with the female vocalist Surinder Sonia and recorded eight duets. The record was released in 1979 and was produced by Charanjit Ahuja. The cleverly worded songs, which he had written himself, became hits across Punjab and paved the way for the unique lyrical mastery his fans would come to expect.
In 1980, Chamkila left Sonia and established a short-lived stage relationship with Miss Usha. He left Miss Usha in the same year in favor of teaming up with a female folk singer named Amarjot. She would become Chamkila’s permanent singing partner providing the female vocals for his duets, that is, the majority of the songs that he wrote.
Chamkila wrote his own lyrics, the majority of which were boyish, suggestive and titillating, and yet fluent, commentaries on extra-marital affairs, alcohol and drugs. The couple’s appeal grew not only in the Punjab, but they quickly raced to international stardom among Punjabis abroad. By the early 1980s, Chamkila and Amarjot had recorded hugely successful LPs on the HMV label and they toured Canada, USA, Dubai and Bahrain. They were also commonly booked for wedding parties, charging a reported Rs. 4000 per performance, an unprecedented amount for the time.
Much of Chamkila’s success may be attributed to the fan-base he acquired performing in free, open-air concerts (known as akhade in Punjabi) around Punjab. Accompanying the couple would be a harmonium and dholki player and Chamkila would play the tumbi, an instrument that he had mastered. The concerts served as a medium for gaining exposure and testing people’s response to new songs that were planned for future recordings. In addition to singing his own songs, Chamkila wrote several songs and sold them to other artists.
Starting in 1985, Chamkila and Amarjot released three religious LPs: Baba Tera Nankana, Talwar Main Kalgidhar Di Haan and Naam Jap Le. While the LPs were highly successful, none of the songs featured on them were written by Chamkila. The profits made from these LPs were reportedly donated to charities. His religious album were huge hits and allowed him to be able to sing at religious function and in front of women.
Chamkila’s song Pehle Lalkare Naal was featured in the soundtrack of the 1987 Punjabi film Patola. He also recorded the song 'Mera Jee Karda' for the Punjabi film 'Dupatta'. Both films faired averagely at the box office, but still increased Chamkila's popularity. He also recorded a music video for one of his songs for the state-owned 'Doordarshan' channel, but after his death his video was taken off the air.
Chamkila and Amarjot recorded in excess of ninety songs before they were killed in Mesumpur, Punjab in 1988. At the time of his death, he reportedly had 200 songs that had not been sung or recorded.
Having arrived to perform in Mesumpur, Punjab, both Chamkila and Amarjot were gunned down as they exited their vehicle on March 8, 1988. A gang of motorcyclists fired several rounds fatally wounding the couple and other members of the entourage.
No arrests were ever made with connection to the shooting and the case was never solved. The reason for the murder is the subject of speculation and is shrouded in mystery.
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Amar Singh Chamkila Lyrics
Aaj Chakka Jam Karata ਓਏ ਫੁਰ ਫੁਰ ਕਰਕੇ ਦੂਰੋਂ ਲੰਗੀ GT ਰੋੜ ਤੇ ਸੁਰਖੀ ਰੰਗੀ ਫੁਰ…
Aate Wangu Gun Tee Bagane Put Ne ਸੱਤ ਦਿਨ ਸੌਰੇਆਂ ਦੇ ਘਰ ਰਿਹਕੇ ਆਈ ਸੱਤ ਦਿਨ ਸੌਰੇਆਂ ਦੇ…
Amli ਕਰਦਾ ਸਿਫਤ ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਸੀ ਕਰਦਾ ਸਿਫਤ ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ…
Bach Ke Reha Kar ਓ ਸੂਰਮਾ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਾਇਆ ਨਾ ਕਰ, ਕੀ ਗੱਲ ਵੇ ਹਾਏ…
Bahan Wich Bhabi ਭਾਭੀ ਸੱਜ ਵਿਆਹੀ ਆਈ ਵੀਰ ਨੇ ਨਵੀ ਨਵੀ ਮੁਕਲਾਈ ਭਾਭੀ ਸੱਜ ਵਿਆਹੀ…
Bhij Gai Bahar Khadi ਓ ਸੋਂਨ ਮਹੀਨਾ, ਮੀਹ ਪਿਆ ਵਰਸੇ ਸੋਂਨ ਮਹੀਨਾ, ਮੀਹ ਪਿਆ…
Chak Lau Driveroo Purje Noon ਹੋ ਚੁਨੀਂਣ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਟੀ ਆਈ ਹੋ ਚੁਨੀਂਣ ਦੇ…
Chaska Pe Geya ਘਰ ਸਾਲੀ ਦੇ, ਤਿਰਦਾ ਜੀਜਾ ਠਰਕ ਭੋਰਦਾ, ਫਿਰਦਾ ਜੀਜਾ ਘਰ ਸਾਲੀ ਦੇ…
Daru Tan Nal Jatt De ਦਾਰੂ ਤਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਜੱਟ ਦੇ ਦਾਰੂ ਤਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਜੱਟ ਦੇ ਠੇਕੇ ਤੇ…
Dhokha Nahin Kamaida ਹੋ ਖਾਂਦੇ ਪੀਂਦਿਆਂ ਨੂ ਦੇਖ ਕੇ ਨਾ ਸ੍ੜੀਏ ਆਂਡ ਤੇ ਗਵਾਂਡ…
Driver Rok Gaddi ਰੇ ਮਤਲਬ ਨਿਕਲ ਗਯਾ ਤੋ ਭਗਾ ਅਰੇ ਭੂਲ ਗਯਾ ਤੂ ਵਾਦਾ…
Gabroo Ho Len De ਵੇ ਜੇਠਾ ਇੱਕ ਗੱਲ ਸੁਣਾਵਾ ਸੋ ਭਾਵੇ ਭਾਈ ਆ ਦੀ…
Gaddi Te Likha Le Mera Naa Mitra ਪਿਛਲੇ ਵਰੇ ਤੂੰ ਮਾਹੀ ਆਕੇ ਝੂਟੇ ਗੇਰ ਗੱਡੀ ਨੂੰ ਲਾਕੇ ਫੋਟੋ…
Gora Gora Rang ਗੋਰਾ ਗੋਰਾ ਰੰਗ ਜੱਟਾ ਅੱਖ ਮਸਤਾਨੀ ਸਾਲ ਸੋਲਵਾਂ ਚੱੜ ਗੇਯਾ ਮੇਨੂ…
Ik Kurhi Pataka ਓਏ ਇੱਕ ਕੁੜੀ ਪਟਾਕਾ (ਹਾਏ ਸ਼ਾਵਾ) ਇੱਕ ਕੁੜੀ ਪਟਾਕਾ (ਹਾਏ ਸ਼ਾਵਾ) ਮੇਰੇ…
Jee Karda ਮੈਨੂੰ ਖਿੱਚ ਕੇ ਕੋ ਨੁੰ ਕਰ ਲੈ ਵੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਜੋਬਨ ਦਾ…
Jeeja Lak Minlai ਵਡਿਆਂ ਘਰਾਂ ਦਿਆ ਉੱਚਿਆਂ ਹਵਾਲੀਇਆ ਤੂੰ ਕਿਉਂ ਪਵਾ ਲਈ ਸ਼ੰਨ ਵੇ ਵਡਿਆਂ…
Jihne Lal Pari Na Piti ਹੋ ਜਿਨੇ ਲਾਲ ਪਰੀ ਨਾ ਪੀਤੀ ਬਈ ਰੰਨ ਕੁੱਟ ਕੇ…
Jija Lak Minle Maan Music ਵਡਿਆ ਘੱਰਾ ਦੀਆਂ ਉੱਚੀਆਂ ਹਵੇਲੀਆਂ ਤੇਂਹ ਕਿਊ ਪ੍ਵਾ ਲਈ ਛ…
Kach De Gilass ਕੱਚ ਦੇ ਗਿਲਾਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਾਇਆ ਗਿਟਿਆਂ ਪਾਇਆ ਗਿਟਿਆਂ ਨਾਲੇ ਬਾਬਾ ਖੇਡੇ ਨਾਲ…
Kal Bhaven Jind Kadh Layen ਹੋ ਇੱਕ ਗੱਲ ਸੁਣ ਬਿੱਲੋ ਕੰਨ ਕਰਕੇ ਕਿ ਮਿੱਤਰਾ ਇੱਕ ਗੱਲ ਸੁਣ…
Kan Kar Gal Sun Makhna ਕੰਨ ਕਰ ਗੱਲ ਸੁਣ ਮਖਣਾ ਪ੍ਯਾਰ ਦਾ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਮੈਂ ਵਲ ਦੱਸਣਾ ਕੰਨ…
Kar Yaad Kurhe ਭਾਵੇ ਗੋਰਿਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਾਉਂਦੀ ਸੇ ਕਰ ਯਾਦ ਕੁੜੇ ਨੀ…
Ki Jor Gariba Da ਕਿ ਜੋਰ ਗਰੀਬਾਂ ਦਾ, ਮਾਰ ਕਿਰ੍ਤ ਸੋਹਣਿਆਂ ਮੁੜ ਗਏ ਸਾਡੀ ਕੱਖਾਂ…
Kurti Sat Rang Di ਕੁੜਤੀ ਸੱਤ ਰੰਗ ਦੀ ਵੇ ਵਿਚ ਘੁਗੀਆਂ ਘੁਟਾਰਾਂ ਪਾਈਆਂ ਨੀ ਵੈਲੀਆਂ…
Laija Kithe Door ਹੱਥ ਬਨ ਮੈਂ ਮਿੰਤਾਂ ਕਰਦੀ ਵੇ ਇੱਕ ਗੱਲ ਤੂੰ ਮਨ…
Lak Mera Kach Warga ਆਰੀ ਆਰੀ ਆਰੀ ਆਰੀ ਆਰੀ ਆਰੀ ਆਰੀ ਆਰੀ ਆਰੀ ਆਰੀ ਵੇ ਸੱਚ…
Lal Pari ਹੋ ਜਿਨੇ ਲਾਲ ਪਰੀ ਨਾ ਪੀਤੀ ਬਈ ਰੰਨ ਕੁੱਟ ਕੇ…
Mera Vyah Karvan Nu Jee mai bappu nu keh sakdi na bebe to ohla rakhdi na bappu…
Mitran Main Khand Ban Gaye ਤੈਥੋ ਔਲਾ ਹੁਣ ਕਿ ਭਾਮੇ ਬੁੱਤਾਂ ਵਟਡੀ ਤੈਥੋ ਔਲਾ ਹੁਣ ਕਿ…
Pani Deya BulBuleya ਮੇਰੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਕਰਦਾ ਐ ਬੰਦਿਆਂ ਭੁੱਲ਼ ਗਯਾ ਰੱਬ ਤੋ ਨਾ ਡਰਦਾ…
Patua Patan Nun Firden ਓ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਬਿੱਲੀਆਂ ਤੇ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਗੋਲਮੋਲ ਨੀਂ ਓ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਬਿੱਲੀਆਂ ਤੇ…
Pehle Lalkare Naal Main Dar Gai ਪਿਹਲੇ ਲਲਕਾਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਮੈਂ ਡਰ ਗਈ(ਬੁੱਰਰੜਾ) ਦੂਜੇ ਲਲਕਾਰੇ ਵਿਚ ਅੰਦਰ ਵੜ…
Sharbat Wango Ghut Bhar Lai ਅੱਖ ਅੱਧੀ ਰਾਤ ਨੂੰ ਖੁਲ ਜਾਵੇ ਮਨ ਮੱਲਾ ਜੋਰੀ ਡੁਲ ਜਾਵੇ ਅੱਖ…
Sikhar Dupehre Nahaundi Si ਤੇਰਾ ਵੱਡਾ ਵੀਰ ਮੇਰਾ ਜੇਠ ਛੜਾ ਮੋਰੀ ਚੋ ਤੱਕਦਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਖੜਾ ਤੇਰਾ…
Sire Da Velli ਤੂੰ ਹੱਥ ਮੱਥੇ ਤੇ ਧਰਕੇ ਵੇ ਰੋਏਗਾ ਅੰਦਰ ਵੜਕੇ ਵੇ ਤੂੰ ਹੱਥ…
Theke Te Baitha Rehanda ਠੇਕੇ ਤੇ ਬੈਠਾ ਰਹਿਂਦਾ ਖੋਲ ਕੇ ਬੋਤਲ ਮੂਰੇ ਪੰਝ ਸਤ ਰਾਲ ਜਾਂਦੇ…
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