Lal Chand Yamla Jatt, popularly called Yamla Jatt or Ustad Ji, was a celebrated folk singer from the Indian state of Punjab. Yamla Jatt, among his singer contemporaries, was widely revered as "Ustad ji" (master) and the audiences loved to call him as "yamla jatt" (short name). His signature style was his soft strumming of tumbi and his turban tying style known traditionally as "Turla". He was the doyen of music in Punjab and a singer who arguably laid the groundwork of modern-day music in East Punjab.
Early life of Lal Chand Yamla Jatt
Lal Chand Yamla Jatt was born to Harnam Kaur and Khera Ram. His birthplace was Chakk no. 384 in Lyallpur district in Pakistan and after partition of India in 1947 he relocated to Jawahar nagar area, Ludhiana district in India. He also received training in vocal from Pandit Dyall ji and Chaudhry Majid and his writing skills were honed by Sundar das aasi. He, in 1930, got married to Ram Rakhi, and with whom he had five sons and two wonderful daughters. Kartar Chand is his eldest son and the name of his youngest son is Jasdev Chand.
Career of Lal Chand Yamla Jatt
Some of the most popular songs by Lal Chand Yamla Jatt; "Das Mein Ki Pyar Wichon Khatya" and "Satgur Nanak Teri Leela Nyaari Ae". He also recorded duet songs with Mohinderjit Kaur Sekhon, who was a recording artist with All India Radio, Jalandhar. It was actually Lal Chand Yamla Jatt who popularized singing of Dulla Bhatti, Shahni Kaulan and Puran Bhagat. He did his first recording with HMV in the year 1952, and till the last remained with HMV. His performance reached different parts of the world, and he also, in various times, performed with the late great Alam Lohar, they were also good friends. He also popularized Tumbi, a traditional North Indian instrument. Much of his music has been sampled by Panjabi MC.
Awards Received by Lal Chand Yamla Jatt
He received the gold medals by the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1956, the then Prime Minister of India.
He also received Lifetime Contribution Award in the year 1989 from National Academy of Dance, Drama and Music, Delhi, India. He died due to health ailment in the year 1991.
Discography of Lal Chand Yamla Jatt
* Khedan De Din Chaar
* Jawani Meri Rangli
* Das Main Ki Pyar Wichon Khatya
* Satguru Nanak Teri Leela Neyaari
* Hits of Lal Chand Yamla Jatt
Top Songs by Lal Chand Yamla Jatt
* Das Main Ki Pyar Wichon
* Charka Rondan Vekhe
* Nion Ke Phadin Jawanan
* Mai teri tu mera
* Whiskey Di Botal Wargi
