imported>KungfuPanda2008 at 14:24, 25 June 2021

2021-06-25T14:24:00Z

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{{For|other people called Harcharan|Harcharan (disambiguation){{!}}Harcharan}}
{{refimprove|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox musician
| name = Channi Singh
| image =
| birth_name = Harcharanjit Singh Rupal
| birth_date =
| birth_place =
| occupation = Musician
| yearsactive = 1977 – present
}}

'''Harcharanjit Singh Rupal''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}} known professionally as '''Channi Singh''', is a British-Indian [[Bhangra (music)|bhangra]] musician, known as the "godfather" of bhangra in the West.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6179679.stm BBC NEWS | Health | Celebrity Health - Channi Singh]</ref>

==Career==
Channi is the co-founder, lead singer, producer, and director of [[Alaap (band)|Alaap]]. He came from [[Malerkotla]], [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]] to the [[United Kingdom|UK]] in 1975 and gradually started the popularity of Punjabi music among the Punjabi youth in the UK, forming the Alaap group in 1977 with Harjeet Gandhi, Randhir Sahota and Inder Kalsi.
By using both Western and Punjabi folk instruments, the group produced a new and more modern style in Punjabi music, later known as UK Bhangra.
Alaap has performed with [[UB40]] and performed at [[Madison Square Garden]] in United States, [[Al Nasr Indoor Stadium]] in [[Dubai]], and [[Royal Albert Hall]] in [[London]]. The band was described as ‘Simply the Best’ by the [[Gurkhas]] in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]. He has also performed in Canada, Australia and other countries. In 1992, Alaap became the first British Asian band to perform in [[Pakistan]].

==Awards and recognition==
Amongst the many awards Channi Singh has received is the Lifetime Achievement for Punjabi music from the [[Lord Mayor]] of [[Leicester]], Mary Draycott, at the 13th anniversary celebrations of [[BBC Radio]]'s Punjabi Programme. He was the first singer ever to be given the lifetime achievement award by BBC.

Channi Singh was the first British Asian to be appointed as an honorary Senior Lecturer of Music at [[Liverpool University]]. He has composed music for [[Feroz Khan (actor)|Feroz Khan]]'s films and [[Bollywood]] films such as ''[[Yalgaar]]'', ''[[Shaktimaan]]'', ''[[Janasheen]]'' and ''Top less''.

Singh was appointed [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) in the 2012 Birthday Honours for services to bhangra music, charity and the community in [[Hounslow]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=60173|supp=y|page=12|date=16 June 2012}}</ref>

In mid 2012 Channi signed a worldwide publishing deal with independent music publishers Fairwood Music.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}}

In 2017 he was awarded "Lifetime Achievement Award" at the [[Brit Asia TV Music Awards]].<ref name=BAMA2017>{{cite news |title=BritAsia TV World Music Awards 2017 celebrated |url=https://www.newasianpost.com/britasia-tv-world-music-awards-2017/ |accessdate=20 August 2020 |work=New Asian Post |date=4 March 2017}}</ref>

==Discography==
===Films===
*''[[Yalgaar]]'' (1992)
*''[[Shaktiman (1993 film)|Shaktimaan]]'' (1993)
*''[[Janasheen]]'' (2003)
*''Top Less''
*''[[Mr. Bhatti on Chutti]] (2012)

===Albums===
*''Alaap - The Greatest Hits'' - A 4-CD Set by Moviebox

== See also ==

* [[List of British Sikhs]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}
*[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20051218/spectrum/main3.htm Article in Tribune India], 18 December 2005, accessed 1 September 2006.

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Channi}}
[[Category:Bhangra (music) musicians]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Indian emigrants to the United Kingdom]]

Channi Singh - Revision history

imported>KungfuPanda2008 at 14:24, 25 June 2021