Guneet Jolly: The Sikh community had my back

Guneet Jolly

Community - it is something that can make a person, or even break them. Singer-songwriter Guneet Jolly has achieved so much in his life that people his age scarcely achieve. He performs in concerts, produces music, and worked with some of the biggest names. He has trained in classical music and pop music too. English, Punjabi, and Hindi - he can handle it. All this he did out of pure passion, and an unwavering desire to succeed. But a substantial portion of the accolades he has received are thanks to the support and love of his community - the Sikhs and the Punjabis. Many of the bouquets he has received through his career, one that continues to progress even in adverse times as these, he lays at the feet of the community that treated him as their own son.

He was born in Yamuna Nagar and raised in Pune. He is what one could describe as an Urban Punjabi Munda, the city boy. He has experienced different levels of urban culture, and tasted the pie. He is privileged to receive a good education. Yet, he makes an important distinction between being educated, and being merely literate. "Being educated is how you carry yourself. Your grace, your charm, your charisma, your attitude. Yeh sab school college me nahi sikhate hai. This comes from your culture and your community." How one carries oneself in public is something intrinsic to the people that surround us. The kind of language one speaks, the softness of tone, humility, and respect - Guneet credits his Sikh heritage for imbibing him with such values.

"Gurbani was crucial" he says. "It has taught me music. Gurbani cultivates love in your soul. It makes you a better person, and that is what music reflects. We were fed to Gurbani, and it was fed to us. I remember instinctively I used to follow the rhythm of the harmonium and the tabla, not even knowing what I was doing at that time. And the sense of community and warmth of the elders at the Gurudwara encouraged me. I was inspired by classical music." As a Sikh, he was exposed to Gurbani since childhood. It is the truest form of music, full of love, and music that touches the soul - something he seeks to bring forth in his own genres.

The Sikh and Punjabi community rallied behind him, supported him, encouraged him, even at the Gurudwara they spread the word about him. "The Sikh community had my back", he says. And it is because of this strong attachment to his roots that Guneet perhaps even feels a sense of responsibility. "I feel I am representing my people and my culture. Iss liye I always have to give my best. I always have to carry myself well. It is not just for me. I have learnt the value of honesty, integrity, sincerity, and compassion from my community. I try to keep close to my heart the values of the Gurus."

The bond between a person and their community truly can make or break a person. Any normal person would surely be drunk on success, but with the grounding of the Sikh and Punjabi community, Guneet believes he has avoided a dark path. "My community has helped me be the best person I can be. They encouraged me and tolerated me throughout my journey. I am sure it is the same for all people. We really are a reflection of what surrounds us!"