From a Small Village, Gill Unites Punjabi Music Lovers Globally

From a small village in Barnala, Sukhpal Gill binds Punjabi music lovers from all around the globe. Gill runs an Internet radio station ‘Dhol Radio’ that plays popular and upcoming Punjabi singers for anyone with web access, and brings them on air for a live chat with the audience.

In just two years of its existence, almost all known Punjabi singers have reached out to their fans through the various programmes that air from the station live. “The roster includes well-known names like Sukhwinder Singh and Jazzy B. As far as I think, only Babbu Mann and Gurdas Maan are the only ones who evade the list,” he says.

Interestingly, the venture is not a commercial one for Gill, but is borne out of his desire to promote music from the state. “I do not allow any advertisement on my website. This, along with no political or religious agenda, is the only rule. I have a team of 20-25 radio jockeys stationed across the world but they work for free, purely out of interest,” says the 30-year-old. Florentina, a Romanian who was introduced to Punjabi language only a year ago, is part of the otherwise all Punjabi RJ team. “She loves Punjabis and the language. She presents programmes in English but has begun to take song requests in Punjabi from people,” says Gill. “My venture sustains on donations from the users. It’s a no-profit no-loss venture,” he says, adding that the recent finale of World Cup Kabaddi too went live for his global audience on the station.

A trained engineer from Ludhiana’s Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Gill prefers the peaceful life of a farmer in his village Kalal Majra. This venture, however, satisfies his urge to reach out to people. “Internet is a great leveler. I feel a sense of achievement when I sway people’s moods, makes them happy and promote new talent, all from this obscure village,” says he. Gill launched a social networking site soon after his degree that made ‘connecting with people” his passion. The real motivation for the venture however came about during his two-year stay in Australia when he studied Horticulture in the country. “I sensed a hunger for Punjabi music among Indians and realized there was a lack of an easy platform for them. Hence this venture,” he explains.