The death of policeman-turned-Punjabi singer and actor Rajvir Jawanda has sparked an outpouring of grief from fans, politicians and the music community.
The 35-year-old died on Wednesday, 11 days after he was fatally injured in an accident in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.
Jawanda suffered severe injuries after he lost control of his motorcycle in a collision with cattle while he was travelling through Solan district, reports said.
His songs, which often carried messages of love and cultural pride, made him a popular figure in Punjab, especially among young people.
His YouTube channel has over 900,000 followers and his music videos are viewed millions of times.
Jawanda was known to fuse modern storytelling with traditional rhythms, creating a musical landscape that was unique but relatable. His songs also boasted catchy beats, making them popular dance tracks in clubs.
Jawanda also acted in a few Punjabi movies. What added to his appeal was his “clean image”, with fans saying that he was never involved in any kind of controversy.
He was also careful to keep his songs free from references to drugs and gun violence – popular themes in many Punjabi rap songs.
A passionate biker, Jawanda would often post videos and photos riding through north India’s mountainous terrains. He lived an adventurous lifestyle and during his travels, he often chose to sleep in a tent instead of staying in hotels.
After his death, some of his fans expressed anger over the state of India’s roads and urged the government to improve road safety in the country.
Jawanda’s career trajectory was an interesting one, as becoming a singer wasn’t his first choice. He grew up in a small Punjab village in a family associated with law enforcement – his father worked for the state police.
But he was also exposed to music from a young age. In one interview, he said he became acquainted with music by listening to Punjabi ballads performed by musicians in his village.
His grandfather would often take him to see these performances which helped cultivate a love for folk music in him. He also learned to play the trumpet from his father when he was a child.
Jawanda studied theatre at Punjab University, but even before he graduated, he had made a name for himself as a singer after one of his songs went viral, fuelling his ambition to take up singing professionally.
But along with music, he was also passionate about law enforcement and joined the Punjab police as a constable after he graduated.
He served in the force for nine years, but the itch to sing and perform never left him and he continued to create music on the side.
In an interview, Jawanda recalled how sometimes, after a night shift with the police, he did recordings or shows during the day.
His music career took off after he quit the force and became a full-time professional singer, performing at jam-packed venues.
But despite achieving fame, he never forgot his roots.
Jawanda played an active role in the farmers’ protests in 2020 against the government’s move to introduce controversial agricultural reforms.
He spent days and nights with the protesters, appealing to his fans through social media to join the farmers and support their demands.
He would also give speeches on stage and lift the farmers’ spirits by singing folk songs.
His death will surely leave a vacuum in his fans’ hearts as well as Punjab’s music industry.
Manish Sisodia, senior leader of Punjab’s governing Aam Aadmi Party, mourned Jawanda’s death, saying his “soulful voice will live on in every heartbeat of Punjab”.
Former state chief minister Amarinder Singh said that the singer’s “soulful voice and passion touched many lives”.
By BBC News
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