One unique aspect of Almora is that it has embraced urban development while retaining the charm and essence of village life. Similarly, the artists here have adopted modern music but have preserved the true form of their traditional folk music. Today, we met such a folk artist named Diwan Singh Kanwal. If you were to meet an artist wearing a hat, a scarf around his neck, kurta-pyjama, a jacket, white shoes, and glasses, what would you call him? I’d say rockstar. And that’s exactly what Diwan Singh Kanwal is—a rockstar.
Despite his strict appearance, Diwan Singh Kanwal is a very humble person. He is highly respected in the Kumaon region and has inspired many young people and local musicians with his voice and singing. His musical journey, which started with Ramleela performances, has reached remarkable heights—a feat not everyone can achieve, but Diwan Kanwal has done it gracefully. Talking to him, you can sense the many ups and downs he has experienced in his musical journey.
In the realm of Pahadi songs, there are various types of folk genres, many of which are love songs. While speaking with Diwan Kanwal, we learned that today he would sing some love songs for us. Besides singing, he also enjoys acting and has had the opportunity to sing in some Kumaoni films. We were all very excited as we set up our microphones and cameras because even as he discussed and hummed the songs with his fellow artists, we were captivated by his voice.
We noticed that the bright sunlight made it difficult for the artists to keep their eyes open. Diwan Kanwal quickly suggested, “We will wear sunglasses. You can lend your sunglasses to our hudka player.” And just like that, three artists, dressed in traditional attire and wearing sunglasses, sat in front of us with a cool swagger.
Diwan Kanwal’s fellow artists are also very talented. Umesh Kumar, who plays the flute in the group, is a renowned and skilled flutist. Umesh began his musical journey as a folk dance performer and gradually developed a passion for playing the flute. Accompanying them on the hudka was Gopal Singh Bisht, who enjoys both singing and folk dance, as well as acting. Gopal learned music by observing and listening to his elders.
“Hit Meri Rangeeli” is a love song where the lover invites his beloved to go out with him and promises to buy her beautiful printed clothes. Listening to the sweet sound of the flute amidst the dense forest, with the cool mountain breeze flowing, was a delightful experience.
Another song, “Malura,” is also a love song where the lover calls out to his beloved, telling her that life is short and she should come and spend some time with him. The combination of the hudka, flute, and harmonium, along with their presentation, was enchanting. We spent two hours recording them, and the time flew by without us even realizing it. Encounters with such artists enrich our musical journey, leaving us forever grateful for the opportunity to meet these talented individuals.
