‘Ludhiana taught me to dream big’: Diljit Dosanjh shares stage with veteran singer Sadique in hometown

Known for popular numbers such as “Nigaah maarda aaye vi mera laung gavacha”, 84-year-old Sadique played the folk instrument tumbi as he performed with Dosanjh. Wearing traditional Punjabi ‘turle wali’ turbans, the two belted out Sadique’s track “Malki Keema”.

During the show, Dosanjh told the audience, “Many people have tried to stop me from saying many things but Punjab is where I can speak and sing freely.” Announcing that “Punjabi Punjab aa gaye oye (Punjabi has arrived in Punjab)”, Dosanjh said, “You have no idea how eager I was to say this here… In Ludhiana, my city.”

“People used to say that I was screaming ‘Punjabi aa gaye oye’ everywhere else but not in Punjab. That’s when I thought the best night had to be in Punjab, that too in Ludhiana. My team suggested that we go to Goa but I said no it has to be Ludhiana. Several difficulties happened during the India tour, many tried to trouble me but I was prepared. It was my earnest wish to perform in Ludhiana. This is where I can express freely,” Dosanjh said.

For his Hyderabad concert in November, Dosanjh had tweaked the lyrics of his songs following a directive from the local government against promoting liquor, drugs or violence at his show. In Ludhiana, he performed with the original lyrics of his numbers including “Panj taara theka”, “Case chalda” and “Patiala peg”. The track “Main hu Punjab” (I am Punjab) drew huge applause in Ludhiana.

Getting nostalgic, he recounted, “When I left my village Dosanjh Kalan (in Jalandhar) and came to Ludhiana, I used to think “ki banuga mera? (What would be my fate?)”. But this city taught me to dream. From Prof Mohan Singh Mela to Coachella, I saw this dream in Ludhiana only.”

“I would tell youths to dream as big as they can. People will try to stop you but God will fulfil those dreams. The only mandatory element is hard work, which goes without saying. This finale couldn’t have happened anywhere except Ludhiana,” Dosanjh added.

Prof Mohan Singh Mela is an annual fair in Ludhiana organised in memory of the veteran Punjabi poet, while Coachella is the annual music and arts festival held in California, USA. In 2023, Dosanjh became the first Punjabi artist to perform at Coachella.

Over 3,000 cops were deployed by the police to oversee security and traffic for Dosanjh’s concert in Ludhiana. The Punjab Agricultural University rented out its football ground for Rs 20.65 lakh for the event on the orders of the district administration, which also arranged parking space for the private concert.

Speaking on the importance of Ludhiana and Dosanjh’s journey towards achieving his dreams, Sadique said, “Such wonderful times don’t happen often and today was one such day when not only Punjab but the entire world was in love with Dosanjh’s music.”

“Ludhiana is not just a manufacturing hub of shawls, blankets, textiles and bicycles but also a hub of artistes,” said Sadique, who is also a former Congress MP from Faridkot.

Diljit Dosanjh, who has often expressed his love for Ludhiana, was just 11 years old when his parents sent him to the place to live with his maternal uncle. As a schoolboy, he would accompany his uncle in singing devotional songs at local gurdwaras. Dosanjh started his music career as a teenager, releasing his first album “Ishq da uda ada” in Ludhiana in 2003.

Complaint filed against Diljit Dosanjh

Chandigarh-based educationist Panditrao Dharenavar, who is working towards promoting the Punjabi language, filed a complaint against Dosanjh with the Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development, saying the singer should not be allowed to sing songs such as Patiala Peg, Panj Taara Theka, Case etc during the Ludhiana show.

“The singer should not be allowed to sing such songs even with twisted lyrics. I will approach Punjab and Haryana High Court if he continues to sing such songs. Singing songs promoting alcohol while wearing the turban is the biggest insult to it,” said Dharenavar.

Following his complaint, the deputy director of the department issued a written direction to the Ludhiana deputy commissioner asking him to take suitable action on the complaint.