Aarti Raj

Arti Raj Chander is the granddaughter of two Sindhi legends, Sangeet Acharya Master Chander and the poet, Shri Parsram Zia. At the tender age of six, she received vocal training in classical ragas from her Grandfather Master Chander. As a child, Arti often accompanied her grandfather as a backup singer on All India Radio & HMV during his concerts of memorable and timeless songs. Hence, she regards her grandfather as her Guru. Later, she perfected her singing style in Sindhi and Hindi songs under the guidance and coaching from her father Shri Gope Chander. Arti has emulated and refined her ghazal singing from her uncle Ghazal Nawaz Mahesh Chander. She also credits her interest and taste in music to her uncle, Hari Chander.

Arti has a gift of captivating audiences with her melodious voice and unique style; this is in part due to her special knack of singing variety of songs from Hindi movies, Ladaas, Bhajans to Sindhi Kafees, Kalaams,Urdu Ghazals. Arti has cut several albums and cassettes of Sindhi Ladaas, Sufi Kalaams and Hindi Bhajans. Recently, she released a new Ghazals CD titled “Attempt” with her equally talented brothers - Harish Chander and Anil Chander with music composed by Mahesh Chander. The album has been very well received and acclaimed by the Indian community in the US.

Over the last decade, Arti has been giving concerts and performances along with her father and brothers throughout US, India, UK, Spain, Japan, Hong Kong and the Caribbean Islands. Arti’s favorite ragaas are Sorath, Kohiyari, Bhopali, Yaman Kalyaan, Bhairavee, and Des. She is a big fan of Noor Jehan, Begum Akhtar, Farida Khanum, Reshma, Lata Mangeskar, Asha Bhosle and Kishori Amonkar including of course her grandfather, Master Chander, Bhagat Kanwar Ram, her father Gope Chander, uncle Mahesh Chander, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, K L Saigal, Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali, Talat Mahmood, Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi.

Arti is grateful to the Indian Community for their affection and thanks God for the blessings and heritage of the two immensely talented families that are revered and adored by Sindhis all over the world.

Writeup by Dr. Prakash T. Thawani Ford Motor Company Dearborn, MI. USA