DALJIT ATWAL aka CHACHA DHOLI & SURJIT ATWAL | Winnie | Aajkal.TV

Daljit Atwal aka “Chacha Dholi” & Surjit Atwal Daljit Atwal, affectionately known as “Chacha Dholi”, is a much-loved figure in British Punjabi entertainment industry. A dhol player, Bhangra performer and singer, he has spent decades promoting Punjabi folk music and culture, particularly within the Southall and West London community. Daljit began performing as a teenager, learning traditional Punjabi folklore and Bhangra before developing their dhol skills under Harbinder “Binda”, leader of the world famous ‘Great Indian Dancers’ . Their performances took them beyond Britain, including appearances connected with Hindi film productions such as Suhaag with Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Rekha and Parveen Babi. Daljit became renowned as a live dhol player, performing alongside leading Punjabi artists and appearing with several Bhangra bands of the 1980s such Kala Preet, Nirmal’s Shava Shava and Premi. In 2014, Daljit began a new chapter as a recording artist, releasing an eight-song devotional album dedicated to Baba Balak Nath Ji, followed by songs exploring love, family, faith, Punjabi identity and contemporary issues. His wife, Surjit has been central to his musical journey, writing around 80% of his songs. Their hit song ‘Shopping Kradey’ established them as a husband and wife duet team. Together, Daljit and Surjit represent a pioneering generation that helped carry Punjabi Bhangra and dhol from British community stages to international audiences and Bollywood screens.