The release of Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra starrer ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ has once again brought attention to the life of the late legendary Punjabi singer. Amar Singh Chamkila, also called Elvis of Punjab, was the highest record-selling artist of Punjab and his songs with his wife Amarjot were super hit among the masses. The singer and his wife were killed by unknown assailants on March 8, 1888.
Before his marriage to Amarjot, Chamkila was married to Gurmail Kaur, with whom he had two daughters Amandeep Kaur and Kamaldeep Kaur. Chamkila and Amarjot had two sons, the younger one was just 15 days old when the couple was killed, and he couldn’t survive after his parents’ death. The elder son is named Jaiman Chamkila, who earns a living by singing his father’s songs.
Jaiman Chamkila's relations with his step sisters
In an interview with Cine Punjabi last year, Jaiman Chamkila disclosed his connection with his stepsisters from his first marriage. "I am in touch with Chamkila’s first family. I have two sisters from his first wife, Amandeep and Kamaldeep," he shared. "The older is married and has two kids, and Kamal is getting married this year (2023)."
Jaimal on his relationship with Amar Singh Chamkila's first wife
Despite the familial ties, Jaiman noted a certain distance in his relationship with Gurmail, attributing it to circumstances rather than any personal fault. "When I go to meet her, she greets me well but that’s it. From the beginning, it’s been this way. It is not her fault nor ours (the children's) fault," he told Cine Punjabi.
"Sometimes we speak and she would say that if your father was around, we wouldn’t be in such a state. He worked really hard, people’s evil eyes impacted him, and he had too many enemies. I have my sisters as well, we try to share our pain as much as we can,” he told Cine Punjabi.
Raised by his maternal grandparents, Jaiman Chamkila pays tribute to his father's legacy annually by organising a mela with his sister on Chamkila’s death anniversary. This event serves as a platform for fans and fellow artists to come together and celebrate Chamkila's enduring music and memory.