A tale of two brothers & timeless tunes from Wadali

The fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev, is also known as the architect of Sikh musical traditions. He is credited with encouraging the musical reading of Gurbani, now known as kirtan, composing hymns (raags), and organising the sacred text in the form of raag and ghar.

The spiritual musical renaissance happened during the time of Guru Arjan Dev, with Guru Ki Wadali at the centre of it all. It is therefore natural that Guru Ki Wadali, centuries later, once again witnessed a musical resurgence, this time through the Wadali Brothers, Puran Chand Wadali and the late Pyare Lal Wadali.

Fifth-generation musicians, the Wadali Brothers carried forward a profound legacy rooted in spirituality, devotion and classical music. Their music was uncommercial, deeply spiritual, and drew inspiration from Sufi saints like Baba Bulleh Shah, Amir Khusrau and Saint Kabir. Starting from local akharas and music festivals, the duo went on to perform at several prestigious international stages and festivals, winning accolades including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Padma Shri.

Their music not only left an indelible mark on Indian music but also revived folk and Sufi musical traditions in Wadali through their music school. The school operates on the concept of the Guru-Shishya tradition, where selected students are imparted education in Sufi, Ghazal and devotional music. Puran Chand Wadali’s son, Lakhwinder Wadali, continues to carry forward the family’s musical legacy.

Inseparable on stage and in life, the celebrated duo saw a tragic end in 2018 when Pyare Lal Wadali passed away due to cardiac arrest. Their live performances were raw, emotional, and performed with minimal instruments. Even today, listening to their original performance of Tu Maaney Ya Na Manney Dildara leaves listeners deeply moved and emotional. The historic village of Guru Ki Wadali gained elevated recognition through the Wadali Brothers.

Amritsar