Late Pyarelal Wadali's old interview excerpts

Apart from performing in India and overseas, revered music duo Wadali Brothers had rendered several celebrated Bollywood tracks, including Rangrez Mere (Tanu Weds Manu, 2011), Ik Tu Hi Tu Hi (Mehfil Mix) (Mausam, 2011) and Waris Shah Nu (Pinjar, 2003). Close on the heels of the release of their single, Rab Da Deedar, last year, mid-day spoke to Pyarelal Wadali. Excerpts from the interview:

On the state of qawwali in India today
These days, most people don't understand the meaning of qawwali. In the past, people trusted the messages that qawwalis propagated, because learned men penned them. We are grateful to our gurus for blessing us with the skill to do justice to the genre.

On the youth
Bahut youngsters humare concert mein aatein hain, humein sunte hain. We also perform at colleges. We have devised a new method to hold the attention of young listeners. We take breaks while singing the qawwalis and explain the meaning of the renditions via stories. The conversation helps us bond with them.

On Bollywood music
We don't listen to Bollywood songs nowadays. Our interest lies in classical music. Aaj kal bahut composers gaanon ka beda gart kar dete hain (composers ruin the songs).

On their legacy
My nephew Lakhwinder is skilled. Seeing the recognition he has earned, we are sure our legacy is in safe hands.

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