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Ludhiana: The fields and school grounds of Pona village — where Punjabi singer Rajvir Jawanda once played as a child and later performed as a celebrated artist — echoed with cries of grief and songs of remembrance on Thursday. The 35-year-old singer, who passed away following a tragic road accident, was cremated at the Government School ground, the heart of the village that shaped his journey from a disciplined police officer to a beloved music icon.
Thousands of mourners, including prominent singers, actors, and fans from across Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, gathered to pay their last respects. The funeral procession, which began from the Jawanda residence, moved slowly through the narrow village lanes lined with emotional fans holding flowers, posters, and photographs of the artist.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann visited the bereaved family earlier in the day, offering condolences and describing Rajvir as “a shining star whose voice will continue to live in the hearts of millions.”
Among those who joined the final journey were music industry stalwarts Babbu Maan, Kulwinder Billa, Kanwar Grewal, Karamjit Anmol, Pukhraj Bhalla, and Malkit Rauni, who stood shoulder to shoulder with fans and villagers, united in grief.
Police personnel maintained tight security to manage the sea of mourners. DSP (D) Inderjit Singh Boparai, who once served with Jawanda and his late father, ASI Karam Singh, in Ludhiana (Rural) Police, shared a poignant memory: “Rajvir was sincere in uniform and soulful in spirit. He balanced duty with passion and carried both with dignity. His father was the same — devoted and kind.” As the funeral pyre was lit, villagers broke into tears while some quietly hummed “Khush Reha Kar”, one of Rajvir’s most loved songs, now turning into a bittersweet farewell anthem.
Village sarpanch Harpreet Singh Raju and residents extended remarkable hospitality, opening their homes to provide food and rest for visitors who had travelled long distances. “Rajvir belonged to every home in this village. Today, every heart here is mourning,” said Raju. Jawanda’s mother, Paramjit Kaur, the village sarpanch, sat beside her son’s body, inconsolable. Having already lost her husband, Karam Singh, a few years ago, she is now mourning the loss of her only son. Rajvir leaves behind his widowed mother, wife, and two young children — along with a legacy that blends discipline, humility, and the raw honesty of Punjab’s soil.
