Mohali: The death of Punjabi singer Rajveer Jawanda at the age of 35 has once again plunged the Punjabi music world into mourning, recalling a series of untimely deaths of talented artists who left behind a lasting legacy.
Jawanda succumbed to severe head and spinal cord injuries at Fortis Hospital, Mohali, on Wednesday, after battling for life for 11 days following a motorcycle accident near Baddi in Himachal Pradesh on September 27. He was riding to Shimla on his BMW bike when he was hit by stray cattle.
Born in 1990 in Pona village near Jagraon in Ludhiana, Rajveer began his career as a constable in the Punjab Police before turning to music. His 2014 debut album Boy Like Me brought him recognition, and he went on to deliver hits like Sardari, Tu Dis Penda, Kali Camaro, Shaandaar and Dhiyan. Known for blending folk music with modern beats, his songs earned over 424 million views on YouTube, making him a household name across Punjab.
Jawanda’s tragic end mirrors the fate of several Punjabi singers who met unnatural deaths at the peak of their careers.
Parmar Diljaan (1984–2021)
Born in Patiala, Diljaan received training in Sufi-classical music from Ustad Puran Shahkoti. He gained fame through Awaaz Punjab Di and was the first runner-up in the 2012 Indo-Pak music contest. Known for songs such as Adha Pind, Yaaran Di Gal, Pehle Pyaar, and Sai Ke Deewane, Diljaan died in a car accident near Jandiala Guru, Amritsar, on March 30, 2021, at the age of 31. His death was widely mourned, with tributes pouring in from artists like Master Saleem and Roshan Prince.
Ishmeet Singh (1989–2008)
Born in Ludhiana on September 2, 1989, Ishmeet Singh rose to fame after winning Amul Star Voice of India in 2007 at just 17. Known for his devotional album Satguru Tumre Kaaj Sware, Ishmeet was set for a bright future and had begun working on an album with composer Lalit Pandit. On July 29, 2008, he tragically drowned in a resort pool in the Maldives during a promotional event. His family rejected the drowning theory and called for a CBI probe. In 2017, the Punjab government posthumously honoured him, and the Ishmeet Singh Foundation was established in his memory to promote music.
Soni Pabla (1976–2006)
Tejpal Singh Pabla, known as Soni Pabla, was born near Bilaspur in Hoshiarpur. After moving to Toronto in the 1990s, he worked in factories and drove trucks before pursuing music. His debut album Heere and songs like Gal Dil Di, Punjab Yaar Di, Jatt Di Dushmani, and Boli Pani made him a beloved singer. Pabla died of a heart attack on October 14, 2006, during a live show in Brampton, Ontario, at the age of 30.
Amar Singh Chamkila (1960–1988)
Born Dhani Ram in Dugri near Ludhiana, Chamkila worked in a textile mill before turning to music under the guidance of Surinder Shinda. With Amarjot Kaur, he created electrifying performances and songs reflecting rural Punjab. Chamkila’s unmatched energy saw him perform 366 shows in 365 days. On March 8, 1988, Chamkila and his pregnant wife Amarjot Kaur were shot dead in Mehsampur, Jalandhar. They left behind two daughters and over 200 unreleased songs. His legacy endures through a Netflix biopic and the annual Dugri Mela.
Sidhu Moosewala (1993–2022)
Born in Mansa’s Musa village, Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, known as Sidhu Moosewala, redefined Punjabi music with hits like 295, GOAT, and Legend. A graduate in electrical engineering, he moved to Canada and first gained fame with So High. He joined the Congress in 2022 and starred in Yes I Am Student. Moosewala was shot dead on May 29, 2022, in Mansa’s Jawaharke village, with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claiming responsibility. He was 28. In 2024, his parents welcomed a son via IVF.
Kaka Bhaniawala (1970–2009)
Born Santokh Singh Rathore in Doaba Bhaini near Kohara, Ludhiana, Kaka earned fame with hits like Sahnewal Chowk and Daru Peek Jatt Book De. He died on April 12, 2009, at the age of 38 due to liver failure caused by jaundice.
These singers — Rajveer Jawanda, Diljaan, Ishmeet Singh, Soni Pabla, Amar Singh Chamkila, Sidhu Moosewala, and Kaka Bhaniawala — defined generations of Punjabi music lovers. Their voices once echoed across villages, cities, and diasporic communities worldwide. Yet, fate’s cruel hand silenced them far too soon, leaving behind melodies that continue to beat in the heart of Punjab.
