Noted Sufi and Punjabi folk singer Pyarelal Wadali (75), the younger of the ‘Wadali Brothers’ duo, died of cardiac arrest on Friday in Amritsar.
He was earlier admitted at a private hospital on Monday after complaining of chest pain. His condition, however, deteriorated even as he was put on ventilator. He is survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters.
Mourning his death, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh directed the local administration to ensure ceremonial honour for his cremation.
“A sad moment for the Sufi music world and a personal loss. Have many fond memories of Pyarelal Wadali, the younger of the Wadali Brothers fame. His sudden demise has left us all aggrieved. I’ve asked the administration to ensure ceremonial honour for his cremation,” tweeted Capt. Amarinder.
Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu also expressed shock over the demise.
Mr. Sidhu said Pyarelal Wadali was an exceptional singer devoted to his mother tongue, Punjabi, and his sad demise has left a deep void in the Punjabi Sufi singing arena. The Minister prayed also extended his sympathies to the bereaved family.
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal also condoled the singer’s death. “I’m deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Sh. Pyare Lal Wadali of Wadali Brothers — the epitome of Sufi music. It is an unbearable loss to the music world. I pray to almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul,” he wrote on Twitter.
Pyarelal and his elder brother Puran Chand Wadali scaled the pinnacle of Sufi and traditional Punjabi singing. Honoured with several State and national-level awards, the Wadali Brothers also sang popular hits such as ‘Tu maane yaa na maane’ and ‘Rangrez mere’ from the Bollywood film Tanu Weds Manu .
Chairman of the Punjab Kala Parishad Dr. Surjit Patar also condoled the demise of Pyarelal Wadali, terming it as a big loss to Sufi singing and the fields of art and culture.
(With PTI inputs)
