For Punjabi singer-songwriter Garry Sandhu , Dussehra is a reminder that every battle has the potential for a new beginning. From visiting a bustling mela in Jalandhar as a child to performing at Dussehra celebrations years later, the festival holds memories of a journey that has come full circle for him.
Growing up in a Punjabi Sikh family, festivals meant excitement, sweets and time with loved ones, says the 42-year-old musician, who recently performed at Cali Da Mela in Sacramento, US. Having weathered personal and professional setbacks, including deportation from the United Kingdom, Sandhu believes the festival’s message of good triumphing over evil resonates deeply with life itself. His own journey bears testament to that belief. After being deported from the UK, Sandhu continued pursuing his musical ambitions. “Years later, returning to the country to perform sold-out shows was deeply fulfilling. A place where I had once been deported was now a place where people were coming to watch me perform. Punjabi music is enjoying unprecedented global reach, and Garry Sandhu believes the industry is only getting started. With artistes taking their music to newer audiences across the world, the singer sees the growing popularity of Punjabi music as a positive sign for the culture rather than a departure from its roots. As for how people perceive him, Sandhu believes those who genuinely love his music understand him beyond his public image.
In a way, I felt complete,” says the singer, who strongly believes in spirit of Sarbat da Bhala (the welfare of all). “It’s not just about one artiste; everyone is contributing in their own way, and that’s what makes me happy,” he says, adding that Punjabi music will continue to cross boundaries and reach greater heights in the coming years. He acknowledges that not everyone will share the same opinion of him, but says he has learnt to make peace with that.
