Picture this: 1973, Mumbai. Raj Kapoor, the showman, hunts for the perfect voice for ‘Bobby’ – one raw, soul-stirring. Enter Narendra Chanchal, spotted belting Bulleh Shah at a charity gig. That moment changed everything. ‘Beshak Mandir Masjid Tode’ not only hit big but snagged Chanchal a Filmfare, marking his Bollywood breakthrough.
Yet, fame’s corridors weren’t his true calling. Hailing from Amritsar, born Narendra Kharbanda in 1940, ‘Chanchal’ stuck due to his lively spirit, courtesy of a perceptive teacher. His mother, a pious soul, introduced him to bhajans amid temple rituals, forging his devotional core.
Tragedy struck when his voice vanished entirely. For a vocalist, it was devastation. But faith prevailed. Post-years of devotion, his vocals roared back, amplified by what he called Mata Rani’s grace. This rebirth shifted his purpose from cinema to ceaseless bhakti.
Chanchal revolutionized jagarans, transforming them into platforms for reform. He railed against societal ills like girl child killing, dowry demands, and elder neglect, all while enthralling crowds with hits like ‘Chalo Bulava Aaya’ and ‘Sherawaliye’. Stages ignited; devotees transcended.
Vaishno Devi’s hills were his sanctuary. Annual December 29 visits to Katra sparked ‘Chanchal Melas’, with throngs braving winters. His melodies still propel tired yatris up the sacred path.
Globally revered, he bridged diaspora hearts to heritage, earning Georgia’s honorary citizenship – unprecedented for bhajan artists. In 2020, amid COVID, ‘Kitho Aaya Corona’ went viral, proving his timeless zest.
On January 22, 2021, the world lost him, but not his voice. ‘Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe Kali’ mornings immortalize him. ‘Midnight Singer’ chronicles a journey proving sincerity in art and belief conquers all heights.