Obituary
By Suman Doonga*
Making a mark on our hearts and the sweet world of devotion to the lord, Narendra Chanchal left us and started his journey to the only supreme one whom he prayed and sang to his whole life.
Chanchal was born on October 16,1940, in Namak Mandi, Amritsar, Punjab. He took his last breath on January 22, 2021, in Delhi due to some heart and brain complications at the age of 80.
Talking about his name, he was reportedly a very naughty child in school, hence was nicknamed ‘Chanchal’. He took it as a part of his identity and renamed himself as Narendra Chanchal.
Born into a Punjabi religious family, he was always surrounded by a spiritual environment. His familial surroundings and conditions pushed him to pursue devotional singing as a career. Although he confessed that his parents did not want him to sing at public occasions, he had to take it up because his father lost a lot of money while investing in share market. He started singing on various occasions from a very young age and learned music from his Guru Prem Tikha in Amritsar. He bagged his first singing assignment with Raj Kapoor in 1973 by singing the song,’Beshak Madir Masjid Todo’ for the film ‘ Bobby’, which brought him huge success.
Sharing numerous experiences from his life, he once admitted that after he gained overnight stardom from the film Bobby, he quit singing in Jagrans. He further shared an incident that once he visited Ma Kali’s temple and was requested to sing a few hymns, to which he replied that he was unwell and could not sing. He later realised that he could not speak and had lost his voice. At that point in life, he was unable to sing for 2 months straight. He later went back and apologized in the temple, and his voice returned. He vowed that he would never stop singing religious songs again.
Talking about the devotion in his own heart, he used to visit Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine every year on 29th December to take part in the annual Jagrata, and keep his vow to god.
A veteran hymn and devotional singer, Shri Narendra Chanchal ji left us with many sweet melodies like, ‘Chalo Bulava Aya Hai‘, ‘Beshak Mandir Masjid Todo‘, ‘Main Benaam ho Gaya‘,’Baki Kuchh Bacha To Mahangayi Maar Gayi‘, ‘Tu Ne Mujhe Bulaya‘,’Baki Kuchh Bacha To Mahangayi Maar Gayi‘, ‘Do Ghut Pila De Sakia‘, ‘Huye Hain Kuchh Aise Wo Humse Paraye‘ and a ocean of devotional songs that everyone listens to even today to show their attachment and devotion towards the lord. He won various accolades during his lifetime which include Filmfare award for best male singer and a honorary citizenship of US state of Georgia to count a few. He mentions the struggles of his life, career and every other aspect in his biography ‘ Midnight Singer’.
In the wake of a huge pandemic like Corona virus, he sang a anecdotal song like ‘Kittho aya Corona‘, which uplifter the moods and spirits of every listener and provided an escape in these unprecedented times.
A treasure to the nation, we lost a pure, kind soul which will leave a mark in our hearts for eternity.
To the legion of fans who supported and famed his work throughout his career, we express our deepest condolences and strength to the family members in this hour of bereavement.
*Suman Doonga is the founder of SavetheArtists Campaign
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