Bring in da dhol ! Bomb the tumbi ! Same with the algoza. Hear the dholki beat into a resounding frenzy! Then let the mesmerising soz of a voice take over. Pure and inspiring melody belongs to Jasbir Jassi whose music encompasses the vigour and enthusiasm of Punjab.

Ambition and hope glittered in eyes of a singer, known within Punjabi music circles as Jasbir Gurdaspuria, [now known as the Punjabi Pop phenomenon JASSI] when he packed his bags for Mumbai on the misty morning of December 15, 1998. From being a disciple of Punjab’s most renowned folk-singer Puran Shah Koti and then working hands-on with theatre-person Harpal Tiwana, Jasbir had all it takes to be a performer. In 1993, Jasbir had recorded one song for an assorted compilation, which featured alongside tracks sung by Hans Raj Hans, Harbhajan Singh Mann and others. As merit would complement and luck would have it, Jassi’s sung ‘Channa ve teri Channani’ emerged as the most-popular single from this album. Success however is always such a relative term. For Jasbir, it arrived on threshold when he recorded a Punjabi-pop album with Times Music.

So while driving away from boundary-limits of Jalandhar- his city of inhabitancy on that foggy December morning, he looked back with a sigh. And said a small prayer.

More than what he had hoped, little did he guess that by the time he’d return here, he’d be a nationally renowned performing celebrity. Just ten days later, two thousand music-lovers gathered on lawns of Chandigarh Club, undeterred by thick fog and cold wave to watch Punjabi pop Dhamaka and experienced a musical blast of their lives.

Next day headlines in regional newspapers screamed “mind-boggling”, “spirit-soaring” and “balle-balle” to hail Jasbir Jassi, the sensational new Punjabi-pop craze. Jassi took the music industry by storm with his melodious hit track ‘Dil Le Gayee Kuri Gujrat Di ’, a capturing ode to winsome ways of a Gujrati lass. As its rhythmic loops caught up with uncontrollable beats of dhol, the eagerness and enticement in Jassi’s voice lapped up more dharkans across the country and abroad.

Born in village Dalia Mirjanpur in Gurdaspur district, Jassi always took music seriously. Music and singing were second nature in his family. “Ours was a joint family and all of the children in the family were always competing to outclass each other at singing the traditional jhalla.” In his childhood, Jassi got a lot of exposure to Punjabi folk-lore and classical music from Lahore Radio.

Formal training in classical music started later in life. After grasping the essential knowledge of sur-taal from V.S. Jolly, Jassi trained under Puran Shah Koti of the Sufiana fame. Holder of a Masters Degree in Classical Vocal Music from Apeejay College of Fine Arts, (Jallundhar), Jassi has been performing professionally since 1992. During this time, he also served a short stint as ASI in Faridkot district of Punjab.

But soon he left Punjab police, to join the performing troupe of renowned theatre-personality of Patiala- Harpal Tiwana. “ Musical theatre, specially in Punjab teaches a performer to give actions boldly and with expression,” he says. Jassi has participated in many musical plays, notable among them being “Sadha Bugdu Bulo.”

He was widely noticed with the performances, he gave for North Zone Cultural Centre. Jassi wants to promote the musical depth of Punjab. He feels, “A musician not only entertains, he is a harbinger of the cultural content of the land.” His most inspiring influence is Shaukat Ali Khan, of whom he says, “a musician par excellence, probably the only vocalist to have been able to express the richness of Punjabi language.” On the whole, he says, nothing substantial is being done to promote Punjabi language.

“Tell me, if any good meaningful reflective lyrics are being brought out in the commercial segment? Besides how many singers are able put emotion and expression into poetry. We singers ought to feel the struggle between words”, he states emphatically.

Jassi wants his musical offerings to encompass the best poetic influences. In the course of the conversation, he salutes evergreen seamless poets like Baba Bulle Shah, Waris Shah, Pilloo Mirza and Shah Hussain. Among the contemporary poets, Jassi holds Prof Mohan Singh, Babu Singh Mann, Shiv Kumar Batalvi, Surjit Pattar, Sanjeev Anand in high esteem. Jassi says, “the unison chord which binds all of the above together is to restore due honour and popularity to Punjabi music”. An epicentre of Jassi-wave erupted at Jalandhar’s Gymkhana Club on last New Years’ Eve.

More than twelve thousand fans swarmed the performance arena to watch Jassi’s first concert here, since release of his national debut. The evening proved to be a future indicator of the singer’s growing popularity and mass-appeal. At a time when performers rely heavily on stage- antics and screen-gimmicks, Jassi had revealed his focus on sur-based performances. “What do the existing crop of performers, dressed in designer satin robes and laden with shining tiaras, want to showcase? I think music is more about reaching out”, he’s told reporters.

His belief is simple. “More than catchy lyrics and technically-savvy music videos, what really matters in a song is the melody. My attempt is to offer such melodious tunes, which people can play over and over again”.

Born on June 6, 1970.Jasbir married a fellow collegian Satwinder, who is a M .Phil in music (vocal). They have two young sons Sakaar(4) and Jerry(2).

Jassi's name is counted as one of the most popular and sought-after performer in the Punjabi music circles. He gives at least one performance every week. Since the release of Dil Le Gayee, Jassi must have staged a show in every part of India. Counted among them are Prominent shows among them are Pepsi World Cup Concerts (April), Shraddhanjali (July) and numerous other shows in aid of Kargil soldiers.

Just goes to show that stakes of acceptance of rhythmic Punjabi-fare are high in the entertainment industry. Jassi's songs captivated hearts of thousands of Osho followers in Pune last August, when he performed at Gautama, the Buddha Auditorium as part of Full Moon celebrations there.

Lately Jassi went on a performing tour of England and Dubai. Five shows of his are already booked US in April 2000, when Baisakhi celebrations are in full swing. Jassi has reportedly offered pretty huge amounts, to perform at an exclusive millennium show this year.