Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’
If you wish to outshine in any field, then it is your commitment that plays the determining factor. There is no short cut to success at all and every step towards the goal has to be supported by dedication and devotion. It is a matter of concern that the young generation is so impatient and aspires for readymade packages so as to reach their destination thus using all tactics but putting in no extra effort. Although everyone knows it well that success means to survive in the long run which may happen only if there is a spark to taste it in real terms. Those who own it, never look behind and success follows them unlike they follow it.
Dr. Deepali Wattal knew this basic mantra quite well. When she decided to step into music arena, she knew that the path was not comfortable and before enjoying the smooth walk on the flowers of success, thorns of struggle would test her will power also. But she was so much fascinated for singing that she was ready to face the challenges coming in the midway as she had a dream to realize. The result was obvious and erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir was blessed to have a versatile singer who has been enamouring the music lovers with her captivating voice for so many years now.
Deepali Wattal was born in Srinagar in the family of M.L. Wattal. Right from her early age she was inspired to sing, thanks to her mother and grandmother who were quite good in singing. At the age of 10, she started getting formal training in classical and light music from Pt. Brij Krishan Shair and was blessed to have advanced training in classical music from Pt. P.N. Raina. She admits that one can’t proclaim perfection in any field and classical music demands even more perseverance. She feels honoured in getting tips of classical music from Sulekha Dharkar Bhat , an eminent classical singer of Gwalior Gharana from Bhopal and says that learning should be a continuous process.
After completing masters’ degree in music from Punjab University, Chandigarh and music (vocal) from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh, she completed her Ph.d in ‘Folk Theatre of Kashmir’ from Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalya Khairagarh. She also did B.Ed from Jammu University. At present she teaches classical music (vocal) at Institute of Music & Fine Arts Jammu.
She is approved ‘A’ Grade singer from Aakashwani in Urdu Ghazals and is approved in Kashmiri also. For the last more than 25 years she has been mesmerizing the audience with her soulful singing through different channels of Aaksahwani and Doordarshan like Jammu, Kathua, Srinagar, Jallandhar, Dehradun, Chandigarh and live performances at different platforms .
Deepali says that she has always felt excited in live performances because it’s a test of your capabilities. Moreover, the instant response of audience is somewhat for which the artist strives for. Music lovers say that it’s a soothing experience to listen to Deepali because she is so much involved and has the potential to spell bound the audience. She has come up to the expectations of music lovers every time she has stepped on the stage and created magic with scintillating singing in musical concerts not only throughout the country but at abroad also. The major concerts include ‘Annual Luton Mela’ organized by Dallow Community Centre Luton England in collaboration with KBC Luton and Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in 2006, 2007 & 2008, ‘Musical Festival ‘ organized by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) at Germany in 2003, ‘Musical Concert’ organized by Indian Embassy at Nehru Centre for Performing Arts in London in 2006, Various Musical Concerts at different Counties across England, different states of America like Washington, Chicago, Los Angles, California and Texas etc organized by Kashmir Overseas Association (USA), different cities throughout the country like at Calcutta, Mumbai, Banglore, Delhi, Pune, Chandigarhj, Faridabad etc organized by Kashmiri Samitis and various musical programs organized by North Zone Cultural Centre Patiala and Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages at different cities throughout India, Musical concerts at India Habitat Centre New Delhi and Sangeet Sabha Pathankote etc.
Deepali has sung more than 2000 songs in different languages like Kashmiri, Urdu, Dogri, Punjabi, Gojri, Pahari, Telugu, Marathi and Bangali etc. It is pertinent to add here that she has also given her voice as playback singer for Punjabi films “Mein Paapi Tu Bakshanhar”. ” Jind Maahi” and “Aur Tere Jaya Koi Nei”, Dogri films ” Kuggi Maar Duari” and ” Kaleeren” Pahari Film “Lakeer” and Hindi feature film ” Funtasian”. She is also a regular singer on Radio Maejkasheer on online FM Radio Station. In addition to it she has rendered her sweet voice in title songs for numerous tele-serials and other musical programs in Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu and Punjabi languages for different channels of Doordasrshan Kendras.
She has very good knowledge of music that inspired her to compose music also. She has composed music for many albums which include ‘Leelas of Krishan Joo Vol.4′, Hits of Brijnath Hali, Deepali Wattal, Noorane (Natisharif & Mankabd) etc that were well received by music lovers and appreciated by critics even.
For her colossal contributions in the field of music, Deepali Wattal has been honoured by many Government and Non-Government Organizations from time to time right from her school days. The major awards include Women’ achiever award-2013, State Award of Jammu & Kashmir Government-2010, Certification of appreciation for outstanding contribution in the field of Kashmiri Music-Kashmir Bhawan Centre Luton, England, awarded by different Kashmiri Organizations throughout the country and many others. She is a member, Advisory Board of Studies in Music for University of Kashmir Srinagar, Funkar Cultural Organization, Jammu & Kashmir Music Association, Kashmir Bhawan Centre Luton, England, Posh Cultural Society Jammu and others.
Deepali Wattal has brought laurels for the region that she belongs to with her promising performances at every reputed platform of significance. It was a proud moment for UT of J&K that she was one of the eight nationally acclaimed classical singers selected and invited to perform at Rameswaram temple at Rameswaram Tamil Nadu where all these participants recited Ramayana in different languages in front of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. Deepali had the privilege to recite Ramayna in her mother tongue Kashmiri language in high profile ceremony that was a part of Ayodhya Festival commemorating ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of Lord Rama at Ayodhya.
The younger generation opting this art form to earn name and fame should stick to this fundamental and be honest enough to put in hard work with an urge to taste the fruit of success. The celebrated singer like Dr. Deepali Wattal may be a source of inspiration for them.
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