With the release of Netflix film Amar Singh Chamkila starring Diljit Dosanjh in the lead with Parineeti Chopra playing Amarjot, the spotlight turns to the titular Punjabi singer and his wife Amarjot’s fiery songs and the messages they carried. Here are just a few of our favorites.
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One of Chamkila’s most popular songs, “Gora Gora Rang” proves why he and Amarjot were a powerhouse pair, who complemented each other playfully and impactfully.
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Among the more controversial songs for the time it was released in, “Sikhar Dupehre Nahaundi Si” is written from the perspective of a woman who sees her older, unmarried brother-in-law watching her bathe, while Chamkila offers counterpoints.
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Often just shortened to “Dhokha,” Chamkila delved into various themes amid the backdrop of misunderstandings, heartbreak and the betrayal of friendship in a song that gained new life after Sidhu Moose Wala began performing the song live.
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Chamkila held up a mirror to society without being judgmental with songs like “Bapu Sada Gum Ho Gaya.” Reveling in repartee and storytelling with Amarjot, the duo sing about a male narrator’s father finding new love with another woman.
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As Chamkila and Amarjot gained popularity for a particular kind of storytelling, songs like “Teri Behan Te Hai Akh Meri” was among the staple tunes about infidelity and friendly overtures, wrapped in witty wordplay.
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Driven by powerhouse vocals of both Amarjot and Chamkila, there’s a lilt in the vocals of this song, but the subject matter is not so jolly – it’s about a drunk man challenging a woman, reinstating his right to chase women.
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The fast-paced “Kan Kar Gal Sun Makhna” was Chamkila showcasing the Punjabi poet in him, weaving together several well-known idioms as he narrates the story of a man trying to convey his love to his beloved.
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Few songs can sum up better that “Lal Pari” what Chamkila and Amarjot were about – defying social norms and expectations. This punchy classic gave a voice to women and men who wanted individual freedom.
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