Singer Diljit Dosanjh admitted that he is a transformed person from who he was in 2020. In an interview, he addressed the leaps and bounds that he has grown by, delivering a series of firsts for Indian artistes, particularly those from the state of Punjab.
He became the first Punjabi singer to perform at Coachella, and then on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. He also made history by walking the red carpet at this year’s Met Gala, where he dressed like a maharaja in a look designed by Prabal Gurung. He said that he always wanted to spotlight his Punjabi culture on the world stage, and made it a point to sing Bhangra-inspired songs at both Coachella and on Fallon. He also recalled tearing up when he first thought of wearing a cape with the map of Punjab on it, and addressed the criticism that comes his way for speaking only about Punjab and not India as a whole.
In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Diljit was asked about the necklace that he wore at the Met Gala, and he said with a laugh, “I knew instantly that when I go (to the Met Gala) I want to look like a raja. When I went to the Cartier showroom last time, I asked them if they’d give me the Maharaja of Patiala’s necklace. It was ours, they stole it. There are more necklaces that they’ve taken and aren’t giving back. They promised they’d give it to me, but I was later told that it was at some exhibition somewhere. So we had a replica made.”
Becoming serious, Diljit said, “I was sitting in my vanity van when I first had the idea of wearing a cape with the map of Punjab on it, and Gurmukhi written on it. I cried. I cried when I first had the vision. I wanted to honour my Punjabi culture.” Diljit teared up, and continued, “Me going there isn’t a big deal. But Punjab going there, and a turban being represented there, that’s huge. I wanted to make the biggest statement on that red carpet. The Punjabi language is ancient. It is due some respect. There is a whole story there. Diljit isn’t going to the Met Gala; Punjab is going to the Met Gala.”
Diljit Dosanjh’s Met look was inspired by the Maharaja of Patiala.
Diljit said that his home state is blessed, but it also has a dark history. “I don’t want it to seem like I’m doing anything for Punjab. I’m just doing my job. Whatever is happening is not in my control. I am Punjabi, what can I say? Anyone who says they’re doing something for others is lying. Everyone’s working for themselves. If their work has ripple effects, that’s another thing. I’m working for myself. I’m a very selfish guy.”
Addressing some of the hate that comes his way, especially for the way he speaks about Punjab, Diljit said, “These people are people. Everyone is a pawn in the grand scheme of things; we are all minions. We have no control over anything in our lives. We don’t even have control over our own breath. When someone hates me, I like to think that there is probably something still inside me that deserves to be hated. When I become a better person, I will not be hated anymore… Punjab is such a wonderful place. It has been through so much, and yet it produces so many talented people. Perhaps Punjab is blessed, but perhaps it is also cursed.”