Bhangra,
because of its liveliness, has gained popularity all over the country. Its catchy
beats and up tempo music can be heard everywhere today. Its popularity
can be attributed to many who helped bring it out of Punjab and spread it all
over the country. But there is one man in particular whose name has now become
synonymous with Bhangra. He is a husband, a father and a world-renowned entertainer.
He popularized Bhangra like no one else before and spread it not only all over
the country but all over the world. He has won many national and international
awards for his excellent work. The man is Daler Mehndi.
" Punjab is a land of plenty, of large hearted people and of life. Green
fields, hard working men and women and good food are things that come to mind
when thinking of Punjab but something that is even more characteristic are the
beats of the Bhangra. "
Originally
Bhangra was danced on Baisakhi, which is the harvest celebration festival, but
today no reason is needed to enjoy this exciting dance. A night at the disco
is incomplete without a dance of Dalers music. In fact, it is rare to
come back home without it.
This king of Bhangra pop is not just an entertainer but also a philanthropist.
Ninety per cent of his shows are for Charitable causes such as the Chief Ministers
Relief Fund Jammu, for raising funs for schools for Police Welfare Funds,
etc. On the outskirts of Delhi there is a facility where people from all sections
of society can go and enjoy a full meal for free any time of the day or night.
This is the Daler Mehndi Food for Life Society. It is financed by Daler himself.
The Daler Singh Mehndi Green Drive is another example of his magnanimity.
It is an effort at promoting clean, healthy living through a cleaner, healthier
and safer environment. Some of the activities of the Green Drive will be providing
garbage bins at strategic locations in Delhi and ensuring their servicing, it
will convert dry leaves to compost and provide eco-friendly trees to participating
schools and give of these schools. Daler also did charity shows in U.K. in aid
of Cancer that generated Five Lac Pounds !