The Dil-luminati Tour, headlined by renowned Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh, has recently been thrust into the spotlight for reasons beyond its musical success. The tour, which kicked off on April 27 in Vancouver, has been embroiled in a controversy over alleged non-payment of dancers. The uproar began when Rajat Batta, a Los Angeles-based entrepreneur and choreographer, claimed that the dancers were not compensated for their performances. This claim was swiftly countered by Diljit’s manager, Sonali Singh, who stated that Batta and others making these claims were never involved in the tour. Here’s a detailed look at the unfolding controversy.
Rajat Batta took to Instagram to express his disappointment over the treatment of dancers in the Dil-luminati Tour. In his post, he applauded the success of a Desi artist like Diljit Dosanjh breaking barriers but lamented that Desi dancers were still undervalued. He alleged that the dancers were not paid and were expected to perform for free, calling this practice a significant letdown for the industry. Batta’s post read, “While we as a Desi Dance Community are really proud of a Desi Artist breaking glass ceilings and doing sold-out tours across North America… I still feel deeply disappointed that Desi Dancers are still undervalued as an industry. All of the Desi Dancers in Diljit’s Diluminati Tour were not paid and just expected to perform for free…”
Choreographer and YouTuber Manpreet Toor soon joined the conversation, sharing her own Instagram post. Although she clarified that she had no direct connection to the tour, she claimed to have received messages from dancers who were not fairly compensated. Toor stated, “Though I personally have no connection to the ‘Dil-Luminati Tour,’ I have received many messages about people not being fairly compensated, not only for the preparation for their performances but even for expenses incurred to take part in the tour.”
In response to these allegations, Diljit Dosanjh’s manager, Sonali Singh, issued a statement refuting the claims. Singh asserted that neither Rajat Batta nor Manpreet Toor were ever contacted for or involved in the Dil-luminati Tour. She clarified that the official choreographers for the tour were Balwinder Singh, Preet Chahal, Divya, and Parth (Vancouver). Singh’s statement read, “Just to clarify, Rajat Batta, Manpreet Toor, and other choreographers who are making statements for Diluminati Tour were never a part of the tour. Our official team never contacted Rajat Batta or Manpreet Toor, who are presenting false narratives on social media.”
Following Singh’s statement, Rajat Batta released another post to clarify his stance. He reiterated that he never claimed to be part of the tour and emphasized that his intent was to highlight a broader issue within the industry. Batta stated, “The goal of the post is to raise awareness that there is an issue in the entire industry. We just want to shed light on the issue in hopes that it can be addressed. Dancers were not included in the production budget for the Diluminati Tour…”
Preet Chahal, one of the official choreographers for the tour, also addressed the controversy on Instagram. While he did not comment on the monetary compensation, Chahal described working with Diljit Dosanjh as a “priceless opportunity.” He emphasized the cultural significance and personal enrichment gained from the experience. Chahal wrote, “Performing alongside Diljit Dosanjh was a priceless opportunity that allowed us to showcase our Punjabi culture on a global stage… We stand united in our decision to perform, made with full awareness and acceptance.”
The controversy surrounding Diljit Dosanjh’s Dil-luminati Tour highlights ongoing issues within the dance community regarding fair compensation and recognition. While the official tour team has refuted the claims of non-payment, the discussion has brought to light broader concerns about the treatment of dancers in the industry. As the debate continues, it remains essential for all parties to engage in constructive dialogue to address these critical issues and foster a more inclusive and fair environment for all artists involved.
Sources By Agencies
