Belonging to the lineage of the Tarn Taran rababis, Bhai Chhaila was born in Tarn Taran on 13th December 1895. However, he was usually known as Bhai Chhaila Patiale Wala as he spent a fair amount of time in Patiala. Although he had released some shabads and dharmik geets, he was better known among the masses for his songs and ghazals. A testament to Bhai Chhaila’s popularity was that he had a great influence on a young boy, Mohd. Rafi who went on to become a legend in his own right. Besides being an accomplished singer, Bhai Chhaila also played the rabab and he kept it with him at all times. Following partition, he moved to Peshawar and played the rabab at Radio Pakistan for some years before settling in Lahore, where he passed away on 10th July 1983. His son, Javed resides in Lahore and is a music composer with Radio Pakistan Lahore. The information above was translated from the book ‘Punjab De Parsidh Raagi Rababi’ by Balbir Singh Kawal. If anyone has more recordings of Bhai Chhaila Ji to share, please contact us.
Below are some recordings of Bhai Chhaila that were converted from 78rpm records. These were contributed by Bhai Charanjit Singh (Patiala). Please ‘right click’ and ‘save as’ to download the files. Enjoy!
Bhai Chhaila – 01 – Hum Ghar Sajan Aye
Bhai Chhaila – 02 – Viah Hoa Mere Babla
Bhai Chhaila – 03 – Gyan Anjan Gur Diya
Bhai Chhaila – 04 – Suno Benanti Thakur Mere
Bhai Chhaila – 05 – Awoh Sajna Houn Dekha
Hi Sir, this is Aamir Hussain Pakistani National, and currently living in Saudi Arabia. I am a relative of Bhai Chhaila and really thanks for you keeping such important information for such great personalities.
Sir, do you have any information about my Grandfather named Allah Baksha (Bhai Boga), he was also a great singer in the same period. Since these stories are before the partition, therefore, we do not have such kind of information about our relatives.
If you have any information, I would appreciate your kind cooperation in providing me with such kind of information.
Best regards
Hello Aamir Ji, thank you for reaching out. Unfortunately we do not have any information about your grandfather, Bhai Bhoga but we will try to find out more and shall keep you updated if we come across anything. May I please know how are you related to Bhai Chhaila? I have been in contact with Bhai Chhaila’s grandsons.