It was for the first time that Punjabi music played at Coachella: Diljit Dosanjh – Times of India

Diljit Dosanjh created history at Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, California a day after Baisakhi day, on April 15 by becoming the first Indi-born artiste to perform at that stage. Dressed in a mix of traditional Punjabi attire and modern accessories like yellow coloured gloves, his performance received rave reviews as people called it a fiery act and even had American DJ Diplo dancing to his tunes. Excerpts from a conversation with the singer, actor.
You created history at Coachella and got the world talking about you being the first India-born artiste to perform at Coachella. Before the show did you think that the appreciation you get could be at this scale?

Well, I was aware of the huge scope of Coachella. It was for the first time that this stage had heard Punjabi music. And the world was listening. A regional language musician, on that stage, was the only thing that I was aware of before the show. But how it panned out and its impact, wasn’t something I had anticipated.

You told us before the show, that you will just go there as your natural self, sing in Punjabi and hope people like it. Did it happen like that?

I did what I always do in my shows, go with the flow. Yes of course this was a bigger platform not in magnitude but scope, so I had to prepare beforehand. But, five minute before starting, it all got washed out (laughs). I think that turned out better because I was my natural self.

You said while performing that those who cannot follow the language just follow the vibe. Did they resonate with that considering there were majority American and other foreign nationalities?

Music has no language, the world is made up of sound. If we like the sound we vibe with it. I didn’t pay attention to who was listening to me and who wasn’t. But I knew that many people weren’t following my language, which is why I ensured that I say this on stage, though what I said was also in Punjabi! Honestly, I had prepared saying that in English but impromptu Punjabi came out of me, as it usually does! End moment pe angrezi ayi hi nai meri bahar (laughs).

Why do you think among so many Indian artists, you were selected for Coachella? Now that you’ve set this new benchmark, what’s next for you? How will you raise the bar beyond this?

How an Indian artist gets represented on the global stage, depends on his team. I have a strong team and Sonali (his manager) is busy matching standards with the global music industry. I don’t concern myself with my business dealings etc, that is all her and the team’s doing. I have never really troubled myself with elaborate planning. If you do that, then you cannot enjoy the flow of life and that of music, and half you time is spent only planning the next milestone. I live in the moment and enjoy whatever that moment brings me. Rest everything just follows.