Punjabi antenna
Desi names, exotic sounds
Randeep Wadehra

One watched Bee 2 on Caught on Camera, Bonny A on Kakka Nikki Times and Jazzy B on various Punjabi channels. To the uninformed, these names may conjure up western rock stars or bands. But we know that these are the names of Punjabi mundas trying to remain hip ‘n’ trendy in the competitive Punjabi pop market. Needless to say, Bee 2 is actually Bittu – a common Punjabi nickname and Jazzy B is the anglicised version of Jaswinder Bains. But what, pray, is the original version of Bonny A? Whatever it is, it certainly jazzes up the curiosity factor among teeny-boppers, which results in a great initial draw.

But fan base can be sustained only by quality performance. True, Apache Indian and Baba Sehgal have become part of the Punjabi pop lore, but desi names like Gurdas Mann, Hans Raj Hans, Pooran Chand Wadali, etc, have iconic standing amongst today’s fans on sheer merit. In fact their fan following transcends the daunting generation gap. Ashu Punjabi is one more singer who’s making his mark. In a talk on First Frame, he displayed his singing prowess in ghazals, Sufi and pop. Another rising star, Kuldeep Rai, too made a great impression on First Frame. He is young, well grounded in classical as well as Sufi music and oozes talent. Watch out for him folks!

A thought that comes to one’s mind is that whereas our desi artistes hanker after recognition in foreign lands, the NRI artistes flock to India for similar recognition. Both, at least on television, talk of having great pyaar for Punjabi audiences. Is it a case of sentiments being warmer across the proverbial seven seas? Or, perhaps, it is the good old grass being greener on the other side. However, it does indicate a trend in cross-cultural music triggered by Punjabi yodellers of all hues. The mix of exotic and desi sounds certainly keeps us all enthralled.