Channi’s kin celebrate his honour

DUGRI URBAN ESTATE: The party has been on at taxation lawyer Paramjit Singh’s residence in Dugri Urban Estate, Phase II, since Sunday, when his younger brother Channi Singh, 60, became the first bhangra artist to be appointed an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to bhangra music, charity and community work on Sunday.
Channi’s 62-year-old brother says, “He has made the entire country proud.He captained the bhangra team even during his college days and won best folk dancer and singer awards at various college and inter-varsity functions.”
Paramjit’s sister Tejinder Kaur too, stays in England along with his artist brother.
“There has been a continuous welcome to the guests at our home as Channi’s in-laws and his many friends in the city have been visiting to congratulate us on his achievement. Even at my office, I had to give a treat to the fellow lawyers along with my elder son Harminder Singh, 32, a taxation lawyer he too,” says Paramjit.
Channi, the founder and lead singer of bhangra band ‘Alaap’ known for his contribution in taking bhangra and Punjabi music to every corner of the globe. He has been called ‘godfather of bhangra’ for his devoted effort over a period of 30 years.
Expressing his delight on receiving this honour from queen, Channi says, “To receive an OBE from the queen added to the pride of it for me.” Receiving it on queen’s diamond jubilee year made it all the more special too, he adds.
Channi set his feet in England in 1976, but, then, “I never expected to become a household name around the world,” he says. “I felt a need for our culture to be popularized among our youth and that led to the formation of Alaap. My lovely wife Dhano and daughter Mona were delighted when they heard at the news,” adds Channi.
This year, Channi and his daughter Mona Singh also became the first bhangra artists to perform at 10 Downing Street, on the invitation of prime minister David Cameron.
Close friend Gurbhajan Singh Gill, the president of Punjabi Sahit Akademi, said: “He was not only a maestro in singing and dancing, but also a champion wrestler, having won the inter-varsity championship in his weight category. Along with his brother, he had started an audio company named ‘Alaap’ in Sarabha Nagar in 1987. He is son of this soil and I am glad his daughter Mona is following his footsteps.”
Another close friend Ranjodh Singh, the managing director of GS Radiators & president Punjab Lalit Kala Academy, shared: “My brother has made all of us proud. I had a long chat with him on the phone. We are eagerly waiting for him as he is planning a trip to the country in July.”