“Bhavein aukhi hoyi ae crowd tere te, bolde neaAevein loud tere te, par ikk gal rakhi meri yaad puttra, aha baapu tera ea barha proud tere te.” Of course, there’s a crowd gathering to catch a glimpse of you, cheering loudly, though perhaps in vain, my son. But always remember this, your father is immensely proud of you.
Today, the world commemorates the second death anniversary of the iconic Punjabi singer Shubh Deep Singh Sidhu, fondly known as Sidhu Moosewala. The music industry still reels from the shock of his untimely demise when he was tragically gunned down in his Mahindra Thar SUV by unknown assailants on May 29th, 2022 at Punjab’s Jawaharke village near Mansa district.
With a fan base that spans the globe, his tracks have consistently dominated global music charts. Moosewala was not just a singer; he was a revolutionary voice in music, known for his bold lyrics and compelling narratives.
Despite his passing in 2022, new releases of his previously recorded songs continue to emerge, produced by various collaborators. Just under a month later, on June 23, 2022, his first posthumous track, “SYL,” made its debut, quickly amassing millions of views and likes. However, the authorities removed it from YouTube due to its controversial lyrics concerning the Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, advocating for the refusal to share even a single drop of water with any other state.
In a verse of this track Moosewala expresses- “Ho saanu sadda pichhokadd te sadda laana de deyo, ho Chandigarh Himachal Te Haryana de deyo. Ho jinna chir sanu sovereignty da raah ni dinde, ohna chir paani chhaddo tupka ni dende. Which translates to “Return our ancestors and family to us. Give us back our Chandigarh, Himachal and Haryana (these individual regions were once part of Punjab.) Until you grant us sovereignty, we will not give you even a drop of water.”
A song called ‘410’ by Moose Wala was released on April 10th, 2024, the seventh after his killing. Punjabi Canadian rapper Sandeep Singh Sidhu, commonly known as Sunny Malton, has composed the song that has already garnered millions of views and likes on his official YouTube channel boasting of 23.8 million subscribers.
In ‘410’ he sang, “Brampton bigde hue jattan da ya tilla kale sheeshe bass nal hunde vibrate kali-kali gadi vich vajje Ankhila.” Which translates to “Brampton is renowned for its spoiled individuals. As I cruise through its streets, the black-tinted windows of my car pulsate to the bass of Punjabi folk artist Ankhila’s music that I blast.”
Image Source: Sidhu’s official Instagram page
His mother, Charan Kaur, shared a heartbreaking post on Instagram in his memory. Originally written in Punjabi, Charan expressed that she will never forget a son like Sidhu and added that she misses him deeply.
Furthermore, the family of Moosewala has planned a memorial service in his native village, Moosa, on Wednesday (Today). Unlike the grand event organised for the first death anniversary, they have opted for a more modest gathering this time.
His songs resonate with themes of social justice, resistance, and the Punjabi ethos, striking a chord with millions. As fans worldwide remember and celebrate his life and contributions, Sidhu Moosewala’s music continues to inspire and empower, ensuring that his voice remains eternal in the hearts of many.