Master Chander

Master Chander (original name Chandu Nal Damowani) (Sindhi: ماسٽر چندر‎) (born 7 December 1907, in Tharu Shah, Naushahro Feroze District, Sindh. died 3 November 1984.), was a singer and musical director who sung hundreds of Sindhi songs.

He was an only child whose early education was at Tharu shah, Naushahro Feroze District Sindh. Having rich family in traditional Sindhi Hindu system, where singing had been considered taboo but Master Chander had a passion for music and learned the notes of Classical music. He used to write lyrics and compose these in classical and folk tunes. Though his parents restricted him he continued his passion for music until he started singing in drawing rooms, orchards and parties.

He worked in public works department at Nawabshah. During his job at Karachi he opened many schools for music where he used to train music lovers which is why he is known as Master Chander. He faced great odds in acquiring rightful place in the field of music in Sindh. Among his teachers in music were Jeevat Ram Mitai, Khan Sahab Barrey Ghulam Ali Khan, Khan Sahab Ashiq and others. He brought new trends in music. He was first to sing Kalam and songs related to love in sindhi language. His listeners and admirers forgot themselves on the tunes of his singing. He recorded many ghazals and geet for Sindhi and Urdu movies on gramophone. He recorded his first song “Suhina arz aaahe” in 1932. There must be thousands of songs sung by master Chander but hardly 400 songs information is available. He could truly be called a “melody” that touched the very spell bound for hours “Rutha e rahan par hujan hayati” (let them live long even when they are not on good terms) is one of his popular rendering. One day Bhagat kanwar Raam, a great singer himself, saw him while singing and predicted that he would become a great singer in the future and will hine like moon.

He also took part as an actor in Indian Sindhi Film “Abana” (Sindhi: اباڻا‎) in 1958. Besides he also performed in various other films like “Dilaram” and “Mout ka toofan”, in which he played as hero. He was also casted for “Achoot Kanya” with Devika Rani but later on replaced by Ashok Kumar. Many of his fans used to spend Millions of rupees and gold for watching his concert.

After partition of the Sub continent, he migrated from Sindh to India and lived at Kolkata. He performed throughout the world. His songs are still broadcast by All India Radio Delhi. His career spanned 50 years.

His Master's Voice Company awarded Master Chander, several Gold Medals. In addition, the Sindhi Panchayats & Associations in India & Abroad felicitated him with Medals, Trophies, Shields and other gifts of enduring nature. The last was in 1982 by ‘International Sindhi’ at Birla Matoshri Hall, Mumbai.

He died on 3 November 1984.