Born Dhanni Ram and known to his fans as Amar Singh Chamkila, this Indian vocalist and songwriter is remembered for his hit songs "Baba Tera Nankana" and "Pehle Lalkare Naal," as well as for the song "Jatt Di Dushmani," which he penned and which many other popular vocalists performed.
Born into poverty in Dugri, Punjab, India, he entered the world of Punjabi folk music when he was in his late teens.
His final album, The Diamond, was released posthumously in 2014.
Tragically, he and his musical collaborator and second wife, Amarjot, were shot to death by a motorcycle gang. He and Amarjot had a son named Jaiman Chamkila; with his first wife, Gurmail, Amar Singh Chamkila raised daughters named Amandeep and Kamaldeep.
British DJ Panjabi MC was greatly influenced by Chamkila.