Daler Mehendi did kirtans in Gurudwara before making it big in the industry, revealed Mika

Mika Singh has come out in support of his elder brother, Daler Mehndi, after the veteran singer faced public humiliation at an event in Uttarakhand. Mika has maintained that Daler does not consume alcohol and has spoken up for him following the incident.

The brothers began their musical journey together before establishing themselves in the industry. However, their connection with music goes back much further, with their father, Ajmer Singh Chandan, singing kirtans at gurudwaras long before they found fame.Mika recently shared these details during a conversation with filmmaker Farah Khan, who visited his sprawling 100-acre farmhouse in Delhi. The property boasts a helipad, camels, horses, a gurudwara that remains open 24/7 and a dhaba-style restaurant, among other amenities.During their conversation, Farah asked Mika, “Mika, you told me that your father, Ajmer Singh Chandan, would sing kirtans at gurudwara?” Responding to her question, the singer said, “Yes, he would do kirtans at gurudwara. He was a music enthusiast. And most of the Punjabi singers you will see today have taken their first music lesson from gurudwaras.”Mika went on to explain how music became a part of his family’s life, saying, “So in my family, it was my father first, followed by Daler Mehndi.

Daler paaji has done a lot of kirtan before making it big in the industry. I have done it too.” He also spoke about how he continues to stay connected to his faith despite his success. “Now, with God’s grace, we have earned wealth, and I make sure to have 24/7 paath in our gurudwara,” he said.Farah also recalled how Mika was initially perceived when Daler became a household name. Admitting that people had assumed the younger brother was trying to follow in Daler’s footsteps, she said, “When Daler paaji suddenly had his breakout moment, became a star… we assumed Mika is a wannabe Daler when you had first come.

But eventually, you came up with your own style.”Mika then recounted how the brothers eventually joined forces to establish their band, Maharaja Band. Recalling Daler’s return from the US, he said, “Daler paaji had moved to the US. There, he fought with our brothers, quit his job and returned to India. When he returned to India, he noticed I was into playing guitar and he would love to sing. And just like that, we formed our band — Maharaja Band.

He was the lead singer and I would manage the equipment.

”During the conversation, Mika also spoke about the gurudwara established by Daler. The singer founded Gurudwara Dukhbhanjani Sahib in West Delhi, where a free community kitchen serves food around the clock.Daler Mehndi recently found himself at the centre of controversy after a video showing him struggling to sing at an event in Uttarakhand went viral on social media.

However, the manner in which Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal handled the situation drew widespread criticism, with several people accusing the minister of publicly humiliating the veteran singer.Several members of the entertainment industry rallied behind Daler, with Mika among the first to defend his elder brother. Actors Puneet Issar, Rajpal Yadav and Anupam Kher also expressed their support for the singer.In the latest development, Subodh Uniyal has reportedly apologised to Daler over a phone call. Reacting to the development, Mika Singh’s team issued a statement that read, “We appreciate that Subodh Uniyal ji has apologised to Daler Mehndi paaji over a telephonic conversation regarding the unfortunate incident.”