Profile

PROFILE “King of the Dhol drum Worldwide:-

Icon Dr Mr Gurcharan Mall BEM. CEO, AMBASSADOR 72yrs old – Over 5 ½ decades (56 Golden years in promoting Dhol/Bhangra performing & teaching worldwide) now known as “Dhol King G Mall” with 8 World Records and 11 Lifetime Achievements Awards, is one of the most prolific musical personalities in the Bhangra industry anywhere in the world since 1968. His talent, achievements and persona epitomise the core roots of Bhangra. Having been a key part of the birth of Bhangra music industry in the western world and given his soul to the movement, King G Mall is widely known as the first pioneer of introducing the Dhol drum around the world, with his previously bubbly unseen style of playing. He symbolises the music genre like no other musician of his generation. He’s commonly referred to as the ‘King of Dhol’, ‘Godfather of world Dhol players’, ‘Ambassador of Dhol’, ‘Foundation of Dhol in UK’ and World’s most entertaining Dhol player – Also Ambassador to:- 1) “World Bhangra Council”, 2) “Sanjhi Sewa”, 3) “Sky Dance” 4) Kaushalya UK also Biggest achievement “Honorary Doctorate Degree” in “Outstanding Contribution to Punjabi Arts” by the WPUNU & WHRP at the Ashok Hotel New Delhi, India 28/09/2024.

 

Early Beginnings:- Gurcharan Jit Mall born 8/3/1952 in a small village: Hakimpur, Punjab, India. Just four & a half years old moved to big city: Ludhiana known as the ‘heart of Punjabi music’. Aged eleven & half he, his mum & younger brother came to Birmingham, England to join their father who was already living here since 1956/57, Their father called them over to have a good education so to improve better standard of living. When Gurcharan moved to Birmingham, he was faced with a sudden transition from a traditional rural community into the bustling and very western city of Birmingham. Like all young people he quickly adjusted to his new environment and began his English education. He is qualified as a Mechanical Service Engineer, Toolmaker and Tool-setter. His early childhood ensured that he absorbed all the cultural values of an Indian nation with its multi-cultural values and from the very start influenced by the unique rhythms of Bhangra folk music and his earliest instrument was a “Peepa Can” that he played with his hands in Ludhiana. This music has its origins in the rural calendar of an agricultural society that celebrates a successful harvest & special occasions in the Punjab.

 

Career Started in Music:- As a teenager in a very close community Gurcharan made a very early decision to stay with the music of his roots and in 1967 he began to play around & practice with the Dholki Indian small drum in a church hall, Handsworth where Ravidassia community did there gathering and his father was a Giani (preacher),, there they formed a small group & practiced singing religious Dharmik songs & in Feb 1968 they performed to celebrate Gurpurab. Later He went on to form his first singing group ‘The Nadaans’ 1971.

He continued to develop his skills as both Dholki player with singing bands & Dhol player with Bhangra dancers. He joined Bhangra dancing teams – ‘Trangha group’ Birmingham who won many awards; next ‘Punjab Group’ Wolverhampton. Always demanding perfection he realised that he needed to form his own Bhangra Dancers.  He formed his 1st team ‘Nachdey Sitira’ Male/Female students at Aston University, 2nd team ‘Nachdey Hasdey’ & 3rd team ‘Nachda Sansaar’ also Dhol team ‘Dhol Blasters’. They quickly developed a reputation that won them many awards.

IN between the dancing teams Gurcharan & 3 other members (Sardara, Kulwant & Davinder) formed “Apna Sangeet” and later another 2 member’s joined (Nikki & Arjinder) so it was a 6 member’s band in which he played Dholak & Dhol, he was the natural choice to provide the engine room of the rhythm section. Then came his big break within 3 years – 1986/87/88, with the release of ‘Apna Sangeet by Apna Sangeet’, “Tour India” & “Mera Yaar”. With these 3 albums he stamped his name on the Bhangra industry. His unique style of Dhol playing won the hearts and minds of a whole generation of music lovers.

He was the first Dhol player in the World to combine dancing on stage whilst playing Dhol, and his performances blew people’s minds. He gave Apna Sangeet and its bludgeoning fan base over eighteen years of Dhol playing frenzy and helped them to achieve global recognition. Apna Sangeet was named as “The Big Drum Boys” because they was the first singing band to have the Dhol drum player.

His performances had so much impact that they inspired people all over the World to take up playing Dhol.

 

Gurcharan, undoubtedly the most qualified Dhol & Bhangra teacher in the country, is not only passing on his skills but also helping to preserve the traditional culture of Punjab in the youth of today. He began to earn a reputation as a teacher, coach, chorographer, manager and music producer. This led to his involvement in many different groups in the U K. He has even gained recognition and was called King of Dhol drum by Her Majesty the Queen for his work with “Dhol Blasters” on her Majesty’s Golden jubilee at the Symphony hall, Birmingham.

 

For Centuries:- Dhol was only used as solo or with Bhangra Dancers & Dholki or Tabla by Singing groups. Gurcharan is the First Dhol player to introduce Dhol in the world also dancing while playing Dhol to start a new craze worldwide. Over the years he has taken Punjabi music & dance from Birmingham, UK to more than 25 Countries around the world.

 

Educational Achievements:- Been Teaching Bhangra dance & Dhol drum full/part time since 1977 in Schools, colleges, Universities, Art centre’s both nationally and internationally. Became full time in 1983:- as a Musician, Music Producer, Teacher, Promoter, Artistic Director, Manager, Writer, Coach & Chorographer. – Written two Educational books – Introduction to Dhol & Introduction to Bhangra. 

Produced two Educational DVDs “Easy way to learn Dhol drum & Bhangra dance” Also keep fit “Bhangra Aerobics” DVD & Created the Worlds 1^st Dhol Syllabus also in 1981 I was employed by Sikh Students Federation (SSF) at Aston University for 3yrs to teach, Coaching & formed a team of mix boys & girls called “Nachdey Sitaria”, they managed to win 2 Bhangra dance competitions in 2 different universities.

 

Recognition Awards:- Has endless number of accolades and awards to his name. His recent AWARDS are: – Her Majesty Royal Honours “BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL”,, 8 World Records,, 8 Lifetime Achievement Awards from 8 different organisations (1 for Introducing the Dhol Worldwide), The Panjabi Arts Council UK & Sahib Sewa Society Honoured 50 years Golden Jubilee on-going Contribution to Panjabi music arts, House of Commons “Punjabi Cultural award”,  ITV Arts Leadership Midlander of the year, Best Dhol Team – UK Bhangra Awards, Bharat Parvasi Divas Award N.R.I India, Excellence Award by Global Punjabi Society UK –Glory of India Award, N.R.I Hind Rattan Award India, Community Excellence Award (BCABA), 2 Best Personalities of the Year Awards Asian Pop Awards & BBC Radio Derby UK and Best Dholi from Panjabi Academy Leicester, list is endless.

 

Charity Work Undertaken:- His heart is gold with his teams over the years has helped to raise Hundreds & Thousands of pounds for different Charities Worldwide: – BBC Children In Need, Gujarat Earthquake, Pakistan Earthquake, Ethiopia and Rwanda Appeals, Oxfam, Ear & Throat hospital Wolverhampton, Eye hospital B’ham & Punjab, kidney Dialysis Machine W’ton, Cancer Research, Brain Tumour, Parkinson’s Disease, Diabetes Research, Orissa Relief, Leukaemia, Load Mayors charity, Lions club, Rotary club, London Marathon, BUPA London Marathon, Macmillan Cancer Support, British Heart Foundation,  Barnardo’s, Seek Diabetes Awareness, Promise Dreams, Birmingham Children Hospital, G.R.E.A.T, DOM & many more.

 

Performed at many World class events such as:- Ranging from local schools and colleges to World-wide events. Their contribution at the Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations BBC TV and at the Symphony Hall Birmingham and the Pride Park Derby — Not forgetting LIVE 8 London Hide Park was remarkable — World Record Vasakhi 315 Dhol players Oldbury — King G Mall’s Music Build Bridges big international festival Birmingham — Birmingham Youth Music — Birmingham in Munich — Glastonbury Festival — Asian Live Aid for Ethiopia Birmingham — Swindon Borough Council Arts — London Marathon (over 8 years taking part playing Dhol to support the runners) — G8 Summit Birmingham — The Commonwealth Games Manchester — Royal Air Force Benson OXON — London International Military Tattoo and Birmingham International Military Tattoo — BBC Blue Peter Celebration for Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee, Birmingham — West Midlands Police Birmingham — Leicester International Dance Festival — International Bebel Music Festival France — International Bhangra Competition Twice Winners, Chicago, USA — Lichfield International Arts Festival — The 1998 Eurovision Song Contest, Birmingham — The Asian Song Contest Winners B’Ham —

Sandwell Youth Music, Film & TV Festival Birmingham — International Music Festival Belgium for 2yrs — Artsfeat biggest arts feat in the country Birmingham took part for 5 years — International Folk Dance Festival Portugal 3yrs. 

Founder member:- Apna Sangeet – – Founder of:- Nachdey Hasdey,, Nachda Sansaar,, Dhol & Bhangra Blasters,, Band Baja & Hard Kaur.  

Played/Performed with OR Along-side Singing groups:-

From UK – Nadaans, Sarwan Patter/Jagtar Bassi, Apna Sangeet, Sathies, A S Kang, Alaap, Heera, Premi, Malkit singh, Safri Boys, Mastan Heera, Pardesi Group, DCS, Bhunjhey group, Geet group, Jazzy B, Sukshinder Shinda, Araad group, Daljit Matthu, Parmjit Pammi, Kamiljit Neru, Baba bakthora, Mangel singh, Aman Hayer, PBM, Dr Zus, Punjabi MC, Apachi Indian, Sazia Judge & many more.                                                                                                                

From PUNJAB – Gurdas Mann, Jagmohan Kaur/ K.Deep, Jamla Jatt, Kuldip Manak, Hans Raj Hans, Harbhajan Maan, Sarbjit Cheema, Surinder Shinda, Manmohan Varis, Jagga Jatt, Master Salim, Jay Shree, Surjit Bhrindrakhia, Kaka Bhanawalia, Nirmal Sidhu and more.

Played with Bhangra dancing Groups:- Sant Nankari Mission, Trangha Group, Punjab Group, Asian Arts, Nachdey Hasdey, Jugnu group, Nachda Sansaar, Hasda Punjab, Divana Group, Nachdey Sitaria, Gubroo Punjab de & Bhangra Blasters.

Played with Giddha ladies dancing Groups:- Apna Punjab, Giddha Saliadya da, Satrang Giddha, Nachdi Jawani, Desi Divas.

Played with Dhol drumming Groups:- Dhol Blasters, Dhol Academy, Ministry of Dhol, Ambassadors of Dhol, Surtal Arts, Dhol Foundation, Dhol Riderz, Malaysia Dholis.

Recordings:- Have Recorded, Produced & Took part since 1982 to 2020 more than 62 Albums/Singles in some received Gold discs and Platinum discs, did a Punjabi song with 4 Non-Asian artists from 4 different Countries singing in Punjabi “AAO JI”.

Biggest Show:- in the UK: 2005 “LIVE 8” in London Hide Park with UB40. Had an estimated audience of over 200,000 and over 6 Billion people around the World watched on Sky TV.

World Records:- 315 Dholis to 632 Dholis & 254 Dholis Malaysia,, Non-Stop Dhol 42hrs to 53hrs Dholathon,, 2,552 to 4,411 Bhangra Dancers – Introducing & Making Dhol Popular Worldwide King G Mall – 1^st Oldest & Biggest M/F Dhol team DHOL BLASTERS – –  Produced Biggest Collaboration Songs.

World Tour’s:- America, Australia, Africa, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Holland, Italy, India, Malaysia,  New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden, Singapore, Spain, Vienna, The Azores islands, etc!!.

TV Appearances & Performances:- BBC mad about music,, Britian’s Got Talent,, Goodness Graces Me,, Bob Geldof’s “LIVE 8”,, Jim Davidson’s -The Generation Game (Twice),, Cilla Black’s – Surprise Surprise,, Opening Ceremony of Commonwealth Games (Manchester),, NEWS – BBC, ITV and BBC SKY,, Here & Now Asian tv show,, Doordurshan Punjab India,, The BBC Pebble Mill Show,, Eurovision Song Contest,, Blue Peter,, Don & Dusti,, Laddu & Jalabbi,, Bollywood or Bust,, Zee TV,, BritAsia TV,,  Pukaar News,, Venus TV,, Kanshi TV,, Akaal Channel,, Sikh Channel,, KTV,, MA TV,, BBC 2 Great British Railways..

Media Coverage:- Have garnered extensive media coverage across various tv, Newspaper & publications, including recognition from the Phoenix Newspaper & DESIblitz.com.

Punjab, India:- First Punjabi Artist in the World – where shopkeepers, Dance teams, Band Baja & Promoters who used King G Mall’s photos to advertise their businesses.

Future Plans:- He said Music is my life and it has bought me a quality of life and pleasure that can-not be bettered. I will continue to Teach and Perform for the pleasure of other’s as long as almighty GOD allows me. In addition I will also continue to strive to ensure that the cultural traditions of Punjab are not lost to the new generations of Asians who are born and bred in the UK. The music may evolve but the roots will always give Bhangra music its strength and ability to appeal to other people hearts.

Today:- 

Gurcharan’s originality, dedication and talent have made him a formidable force in the Asian music industry. He has created his own distinct identity and taken his place among the best Punjabi musical talent on earth and He Still continues to create new ideas with his unique entertaining exceptional abilities and lethal qualities. His unbelievable career still continues and we can only wait to see what is next for The World’s Greatest Dholi.

 

Dhol King Gurcharan Mall:- is now without any doubt, the most loved, respected and cherished as an Artist and as a great human being of the world’s legendary Dhol players “He is a living legend”