Daler Mehndi: From a singing sensation to a convicted criminal

New Delhi: Pop star Daler Mehndi, who rose to fame with his popular song 'Bolo Ta Ra Ra', has been convicted for human trafficking by Patiala court on Friday. He has been taken into custody by the Punjab Police. The court has sentenced him to two years in jail. The case was registered against him in 2003. 

Born on August 18, 1967, Daler Mehndi started off as a shabad singer at a Gurudwara. At age of 11, he was deeply inspired by the Patiala Gharana. He ran away from his home in search of Late Ustad Raaahat Ali Khan Sahib for lessons.

Daler had an Indian Classical background, with which he started his musical career. His songs 'Bolo Ta Ra Ra', 'Dardi Rab Rab' and 'Balle Balle' became instant hits among listeners. 'Bolo Ta Ra Ra' sold over 20 million copies. This very song established him as a pop star. Daler Mehendi also worked for Big B’s movie Mrityunda for the song 'Na Na Na Re' which also became hugely popular.

Daler is the man behind a music genre called Rabbabi which is a fusion of Sufi, Thumri and Rock. His first Rabbabi rendition was 'Tunak Tunak Tun'. The song became the favourite dance anthem of the youth in the 1990s. Till today people can’t stop dancing when the song is played in weddings and everyone demands to hit replay! 

The Punjabi Tadka song was very much hyped even on the internet. People made their own covers and tried impersonating the video. Even video game giant Blizzard Entertainment made use of Tunak Tunak Tun dance sequence in one of their multiplayer role-playing game World of Warcraft.