The Wadali Brothers (Puranchand Wadali and Pyarelal Wadali) were a Sufi sin… Read Full Bio ↴The Wadali Brothers (Puranchand Wadali and Pyarelal Wadali) were a Sufi singing duo from Guru Ki Wadali in the Amritsar District in Punjab, India.

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 (died in 2018) contributed to the meager family income by playing the role of Krishna in the village Raasleela (classical Indian dance).

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, who he considered his guru and mentor up till his death.

Their first musical performance outside their village was in Harballabh Temple in Jalandhar. In 1975, the duo went to Jalandhar to perform at the Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan but was not allowed to sing because their appearance did not pass muster. Disappointed, they decided to make a musical offering at the Harballabh temple, where an executive of All India Radio, Jalandhar, spotted them and recorded their first song.

The Wadali Brothers sing in the gurbani, kafi, ghazal and bhajan genres of music. They live in their ancestral house in Guru Ki Wadali, and teach music to those who promise to preserve it. They do not charge their disciples, and lead a very simple life devoted to the divine one.

They believe in the Sufi tradition deeply. They consider themselves as a medium through which the preaching of great saints is passed on to others. They have never indulged commercially, and they have only a handful of recordings to their name (mostly from live concerts). They believe in singing freely as homage to the divine one. They do not feel very comfortable in using electronic gadgets in their music, and stress on Alap and Taans. They believe that spiritual heights can only be attained if you sing unreservedly, in a free atmosphere.

In 2003, they entered Bollywood, rendering music director and writer Gulzar’s soulful lyrics in their unique style in the film Pinjar. They also sang one song in Dhoop. On the cards is a documentary which the Discovery Channel is planning to make on them.
Pyarelal died on 9 March, 2018 after a cardiac arrest.

Discography
Aa Mil Yaar
Paigham-E-Ishq,
Ishq Musafir
Folk Music of Punjab
Yaad Piya Ki
Filmography
Pinjar (2003)
Dhoop (2003)
Chikku Bukku (2010, Tamil) Song: "Thooral Nindralum" Sung by: Hariharan, Wadali Brothers
Tanu Weds Manu (2011)
Mausam (2011)

Awards
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, 1992.
Tulsi Award, 1998.
Punjab Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, 2003.
Puranchand Wadali was awarded the Padma Shri award by the Government of India, 2005.
Life Time Achievement Award 2015 in PTC awards in jalandhar

Chup Karke
Wadali Brothers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Chup karke kareen guzare nu
Chup karke kareen guzare nu

Bolan naloN chup changi, chup vich si sau parda
Ik boli nu sol na karda, kyon sooli te charhda

Chup karke kareen guzare nu
Chup karke kareen guzare nu

Sach sun le log na sehnde neiN
Sach aakhian te gall painde neiN
Phir sache paas na behnde neiN
Sach mithha aashiq pyare nu

Chup karke kareen guzare nu
Chup karke kareen guzare nu

Sach sharah kare barbadi ae
Sach aashiq de ghar shadi ae
Sach karda navii aabadi ae
Jeha sharah tareeqat-haare nu

Chup karke kareen guzare nu
Chup karke kareen guzare nu

Chup aashiq toN na hundi ae
Jiss aayi sach sogandi ae
Jiss mahal suhag di gundhi ae
Chhad dunya koor pasare nu

Chup karke kareen guzare nu
Chup karke kareen guzare nu

Overall Meaning

The song "Chup Karke" by the Wadali Brothers is an ode to the power and significance of silence. The lyrics convey the idea that sometimes it is better to remain silent and let things pass, rather than speaking out and causing unnecessary trouble. The phrase "Chup Karke kareen guzare nu" (quietly pass through) is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of staying quiet and avoiding conflict.

The lyrics also touch on the idea of truthfulness and honesty. The second verse talks about how speaking the truth can lead to destruction and misery, but at the same time, it is essential for being a true lover. The song establishes a contrast between speaking and staying silent, and in doing so, provides insights into the ways in which words can either build or destroy relationships.

Overall, the song "Chup Karke" is a powerful reflection on the nuances of communication and the value of silence.

Line by Line Meaning

Chup karke kareen guzare nu
Silently passing through life

Bolan naloN chup changi, chup vich si sau parda
Staying silent is better than meaningless words, sometimes silence is safer

Ik boli nu sol na karda, kyon sooli te charhda
Why risk punishment by speaking up when staying quiet is a safer option

Sach sun le log na sehnde neiN
People can't handle the truth

Sach aakhian te gall painde neiN
People don't speak the truth because it leads to conflict

Phir sache paas na behnde neiN
Even though people claim to value truth, they don't actually want to be around those who speak it

Sach mithha aashiq pyare nu
Lovers of truth are sweet and cherished

Sach sharah kare barbadi ae
Truth can bring destruction

Sach aashiq de ghar shadi ae
Truth leads lovers to happiness and success

Sach karda navii aabadi ae
Truth creates new civilizations