Chander Singh Rahi

Chander Singh Rahi is a folk singer, poet, storyteller, musician, balladeer, and cultural conservator from Uttarakhand. He was born to Mr. Dilbar Singh Negi and Mrs. Sundara Devi on 28th March 1942 in the village Giwali, Patti Moddsuun, district Pauri in Uttarakhand. He is known as the "Bhishma Pitamah of Uttarakhand folk music" because of his contribution and devotion to the culture and music of Uttarakhand. Rahi learned the tradition of “Pahari” with his brother Dev Raj Rangeela from his father. Early in life, he was taught the fundamentals of Pahari music, including well-known ancient melodies, musical instruments, and the customs connected to the theme of the Himalayas.

He used to accompany his father from village to village to play songs, and from there, he learned how to play instruments such as the Thakuli, Daunru, Damru, and Hudku, along with the flute and others. At the mere age of 15, Rahi moved from his village to Delhi in search of a job. Initially, he was employed in selling flutes but eventually got a permanent position in the Telecom Department. On 13th March 1963, Rahi made his radio debut, singing "Par Veena Ki" on an army personnel program on the All India Radio (AIR) Delhi station. In 1972, he began performing for AIR Lucknow.

Through the 1970s, when his songs were played on the AIR Najibabad station, and starting in the 1980s, when they were played on Doordarshan, he kept rising in popularity in Uttarakhand. Rahi was the first Garhwali singer on the radio. In 1966 he composed “Dil Ko Umaal,” his famous song for his mentor Kanhaiyalal Dandriyal, the Garwhali poet who gave him the nickname “Rahi,” meaning traveller. Rahi performed more than 550 songs in Garhwali and Kumaoni. He has performed more than 1500 times all over India, and over 140 cassettes of his songs are available.

Some of his songs are "Chaita Ki Chaitwali,” “Fwa Bagha Re,” “Dekh Hilma Chandi Ku Batana,” "Satpuli Ka Senna Meri Bau Surila,” "Sarg Tara Junyali Rata Ko Sunalo,” "Tyere Chadri Chhutgye Pichhne,” "Sauli Ghura Ghur," and "Fyonladiya.” The shehnai, the daur, the thaali, and the huruki are among the folk instruments of Uttarakhand, and Rahi was thought to be the only one who could play them all. Additionally, he was familiar with the obscure tala sequences (beat patterns) specific to Pahari music and would skillfully blend them into his musical performances. Rahi breathed his last on 10th January 2016 in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi and was 73 years old.

Another Version of the Bio...

Born on 28 March 1942, Chander Singh Rahi, also known as Chander Singh Negi, was a folk singer, composer, lyricist, poet, storyteller, and cultural patron by profession. His birthplace was Uttarakhand, India. Rahi was known as the Bhishma Pitamaha of Uttarakhand folk music. His parents were Dilbar Singh Negi and Sundara Devi. Rahi had a brother, Dev Raj Rangeela. They both learned Pahari music from their father, who was a singer. In his early life, he learned to use musical instruments and cultural practices of the music of the Himalayas. With his father's help, he learned musical instruments such as Thakuli, Damru, and Haruki. He learned Indian Classical music in his adult life under the guidance of Keshav Anuragi and Bachan Singh. His singing career started with the song Par Veena Ki played on All India Radio Delhi station on 13 March 1963. The program was for army personnel.

In 1972, he started singing for Akashvani Lucknow. His popularity in Uttarakhand increased in the 1970s. Rahi was the first Garhwali voice on the radio. In 1966, his famous song Dil ko Umal was released. He has more than 550 songs in Garhwali and Kumaoni languages. There were 140 audio cassettes with his work. He had over 1500 live shows across India. His first album, Sauli Ghura Ghur, was famous. His poetry collection had D’il ko Umal’(1966), ‘Ramchol(1981)’, and ‘Geet Ganga’(2010). Rahi was known to be the only person who could play all the folk instruments of Uttarakhand. Rahi recorded around 2500 old traditional songs which featured folks forms Uttarakhand.

They are “Khudar Geet” “Sanskar Geet” and ““Panwada”. He also published A Comprehensive Study of the Songs, Musical Instruments, and Dances of the Central Himalayas. Rahi also loved folk instruments. He moved from Gharwal in 1957 to Delhi, where he sold flutes for a living in his early days. He then got a government job in the Department of Telecom. Instead of investing in a house, Rahi invested his small amount of money in Uttarakhand folk music. His wife was Sudha Negi. He had four sons and one daughter. His entire family is in the field of music and singing, directing music, and composing. He died at the age of 73 on 10 January 2016 in Delhi.