Gurdas Maan was born on 4th January, 1957 in Giddarbaha, Muktsar District, Punjab, India. His song "Dil Da Mamala Hai" brought him to national attention in India in 1980. He has recorded over 27 albums. Gurdas Maan was formally educated in Malout. After completing his education, his parents moved him to Patiala for further studies. He is of Sikh faith. The city fascinated him especially because it was home to the National Institute of Sports, as Gurdas Maan is a keen sports enthusiast. He joined the N.I.S and gained a Masters Degree in Physical Education.
He took part in youth festivals organized by various universities and won numerous awards for his singing and acting. He competed in many athletic events and won medals including a bronze at the National Championship. He is also a black belt in Judo. In one of his stage play he sang a song which he wrote himself and called "Dil da mamla hai". The play was seen by a producer of a Jalandhar TV station, who then approached him for a TV recording of his song, which Gurdas reluctantly agreed to. When the song was aired on December 31, 1980 it stormed the nation and Gurdas Maan became a household name. The overwhelming success of the song grabbed the attention of HMV who wanted to record the song and from this came his second album in 1981.
He has produced over 27 albums and has written over 200 songs. He also wrote and directed TV programs like POP Time for Doordarshan Delhi. When Gurdas Maan started his career as a performer, there was no market for solo singers, as the market was dominated by the duets. He declined many offers to perform as a duet as he was confident of becoming successful as a solo artist. Even today when organizers arrange for a group of artists to perform, he always perform solo. He has toured the globe and charmed audiences with his versatile performances.
Credit goes to Gurdas Maan for raising Punjabi music from a mere regional level to an international level by giving it a fresh look. The ever-popular "Apna Punjab hove" track has surpassed all other songs by Gurdas Maan. This track has received awards for The Best Song, Album & Best International Artist of the Asian Pop and Media Awards held in Birmingham in 1998. This song was orgnially written by Makhan Brar, who lives in Toronto. As Gurdas Mann was performing in his concert in Toronto, Makhan Brar handed this song to him. It became a hit at that concert. Later on Gurdas Maan added a last verse to this song "marjaane Maana kion Punjab Janda khind da" and included it in his forthcoming album.
He starred in the hit film "Shaheed Udham Singh", where his true personality was highlighted as a Sikh man with no prejudices based on religion, caste or creed. As a singer Gurdas Maan has worked with music directors like Laxmikant Pyarelal, Bappi Lahiri, Anu Malik, Nadeem Sharvan, Amar Haidipur, Charanjeet Ahuja, Jaswant Bhanyra to mention but a few. He has also recently starred alongside Juhi Chawla in the epic "Des Hoyaa Pardes". An emotive film illustrating the tragedies faced by the people of 1980s Punjab. His role is that of the son of a well-respected Jatt (farmer) Gurdev Singh Somal. He falls in love with the SOH's daughter. Before the wedding, the father is murdered by separatists. This tale soon twists in to the inevitable demise of Gurshaan (Gurdas Maan). This movie was based on actual events.
Aside from singing in Punjabi, he is fluent in Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Haryanvi and Rajasthani. As an actor he has performed in Punjabi, Hindi and Tamil movies, most recently "Waris Shah - Ishq Daa Waaris," a depiction of the Punjabi poet Waris Shah's creation of his epic poem Heer Ranjha, again co-starring Juhi Chawla. Also he did a lot of punjabi and hindi movies with famous actors/actresses.
Discography
- 2011: Jogiya (Sai Productions/T-Series/UK BOX OFFICE)
- 2008: Boot Polishan (Sai Creations/UK BOX OFFICE)
- 2005: Vilayatan (T-Series/MovieBox)
- 2004: Heer (T-Series)
- 2003: Punjeeri (T-Series/MovieBox/Music Waves)
- 2001: Pyar Kar Lai (Tips)
- 1999: Jaadugarian (Venus)
- 1998: Dil Hona Chahida Jawaan (Venus)
- 1997: Yaar Mera Pyar (T-Series)
- 1996: Chaklo Chaklo (T-Series)
- 1995: Ishq Na Dekhe Zaat
- 1994: Aaja Sajna
- 1994: Ishq Da Giddha (Tips)
- 1993: Ghar Bhulgi Morh Te Ake
- 1993: Than Than Gopal (RMI)
- 1993: Aakarh Aa Hi Jaandi-E'(Music Bank)
- 1992: Larh Geya Pecha
- 1991: Dil Da Badshah
- 1990: Mohabbat Zindabad
- 1989: Akhiyaan Udeek Dian
- 1988* Raat Suhani'
- 1988: Chugliyaan
- 1988: Wah Ni Jawaniye
- 1987: Geetan Bhari Patari
- 1986: Nacho Babeyo
- 1985: Kurian Ne Judo Sikh Lai
- 1984: Chakkar'
- 1984: Peer Tere Jaan Di
- 1983: Masti
- 1982: Dil Saaf Hona Chahida
- 1982: Disco Vichari
- 1981: Dil Da Mamla Hai
Filmography
- 2011: truck Driver
- 2010: Chak Jawana
- 2010: Sukhmani Hope for life (Best Actor - Critic Award PTC Punjabi film Awards 2011.
- 2009: Mini Punjab (Speed OXL Films)
- 2008: Yaariyan (Universal)
- 2007: Mummy-Ji (special appearance) (Universal)
- 2006: Waris Shah-Ishq Da Waaris (MovieBox)
- 2004: Des Hoyaa Pardes (Universal)
- 2004: Veer Zaara (special appearance)(Yash Raj Films)
- 2002: Zindagi Khoobsoorat Hai
- 2000: Shaheed Udham Singh (MovieBox) ...Shaheed Udham Singh
- 1999: Shaheed-E-Mohabbat ...Boota Singh
- 1999 Sirf Tum (special appearance)
- 1995: Subedaar
- 1995: Bagawat ...Gurjeet
- 1994: Kachehri
- 1994: Wanted: Gurdas Maan Dead or Alive
- 1992: Saali Adhi Ghar Waali
- 1991: Roohani Taaqat
- 1990: Pratigya ...Billa
- 1990: Qurbani Jatt Di ...Karma
- 1990: Dushmani Di Aag
- 1988: Baghavaat
- 1987: Chhora Haryana Da
- 1986: Ki Banu Duniyan Da
- 1986: Gabhroo Punjab Da ...Shera
- 1986: Laung Da Lashkara
- 1985: Patthar Dil
- 1984: Mamla Garbar Hai
- 1982: Ucha Dar Babe Nanak Da
Babbu Maan (born Tejinder Singh Maan on Mar 18) is a Punjabi singer, composer, music director, actor, and producer. Born in the village of Khant Maanpur in the Fatehgarh Sahib District of Punjab, India. Babbu Maan has been very fond of playing music since his childhood, singing on stage for the first time during a school function in his village school at the age of seven. He would see everything through the eyes of a musician, even turning cooking pans into musical instruments as he created rhythmic sounds. He learned how to write lyrics, while at school (Punjab University, Chandigarh) when he was about 16. After college, he started singing and composing music. He is one of the few singers who writes his own lyrics for all of his songs. He sang for Mavi music recording studio and recorded his first album when he was only 23.
Babbu Maan is the only Punjabi singer who sings his own lyrics in his own great music. Babbu Maan is famous for his distinctive music and lyrics, at present he is one of the great Punjabi singers who has given a new trend to Bhangra Music. His sad songs are urbane with the synchronized Punjabi music, as that no one else could create. Now he is entrenched Punjabi pop singer, composer, lyricist, playback singer and actor as well
Discography
| Year | Album | Record label |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Mera Gham | Point Zero |
| 2005 | Pyass | T-Series |
| 2004 | Ohi Chann Ohi Rataan | T-Series |
| 2001 | Saaun Di Jhadi | T-Series |
| 1999 | Tu Meri Miss India | Catrack |
| 1998 | Sajjan Rumal De Giya | Catrack |
Religious
| Year | Album | Record label |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Singh Better Than King | Point Zero |
Soundtrack
| Year | Album | Record label |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Ekam: Son of Soil | Point Zero |
| 2008 | Hashar: A Love Story... | Eros |
| 2006 | Rabb Ne Banaiyan Jodiean | T-Series |
| 2003 | Hawayein | T-Series |
Compilation
| Year | Album | Record label |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Aao Saare Nachiye Vol. 4 | Point Zero |
| 2010 | Aao Saare Nachiye Vol. 2 | Point Zero |
| 2009 | Aao Saare Nachiye | Point Zero |
]Filmography
| Year | Film | Character |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | ''Hero Hiter in Love | |
| 2010 | Crook | Playback singer |
| 2010 | Ekam: Son of Soil | Ekam |
| 2009 | Vaada Raha...I Promise | Playback singer |
| 2008 | Hashar: A Love Story... | Maninder |
| 2006 | Rabb Ne Banaiyan Jodiean | Jelly |
| 2003 | Hawayein | Kanpuria |
Amar Singh Chamkila
July 21, 1960 – March 8, 1988) was a high-profile Punjabi singer, songwriter, and musician. He is widely touted as the most influential Punjabi folk singer of all time. This is an incredible feat as Chamkila sang for less than a decade. He is also regarded as one of the greatest Punjabi folk live stage performers. In his heyday, he was known to do three stage performances in a single day.
Chamkila was born as Dunni Ram on July 21, 1960 in the village of Dugri near Ludhiana, Punjab, India. He was born into a poor family and was from the Chamar caste. The youngest child of Kartar Kaur and Hari Singh, he was educated at Gujar Khan Primary School in Dugri. His aspirations of becoming an electrician were unfulfilled and he found work at a Ludhiana cloth mill.
With a natural aptitude for music, he learned to play the harmonium and dholki. Punjabi folk musician Surinder Shinda has said that in 1978, Chamkila approached him for the first time on a bicycle. When Shinda heard the 18-year-old Chamkila sing, he had finally found the protege that he had been looking for. Chamkila would go onto play alongside Punjabi folk artists such as K. Deep, Mohammad Saddiq and Surinder Shinda. He wrote several songs for Shinda and accompanied him as a member of his entourage before deciding to pursue a solo career. It is rumored that Chamkila was happy enough writing songs, but he wasn't earning enough money to look after his family, so had to start singing.
Discography
Chamkila's recordings on the HMV music label have been recompiled for release on CD by Saregama.
- Hikk Utte So Ja Ve
- Lak Mera Kach Warga
- Mitra Main Khand Ban Gai
- Sharbut Vangoo Ghut Bhar Laan
- Bhul Gai Main Ghund Kadna
- Yaad Aave War War
- Baba Tera Nankana
- Naam Jap Le
- Talwar Main Kalgidhar Di Haan
- Jija Lak Minle
Kuldeep Manak
Family
Kuldeep Manak was born in the village of Jalal in the Bathinda district. His father Nikka Khan, was a singer himself. Manak has two brothers: Siddqui, a devotional singer, and Rafiq, a tantric, who also hit the headlines for a while. Kuldeep Manak's ancestors were the Hazoori Raagis(designated cantors) of Kirtan for Maharaja Hira Singh of Nabha. Manak studied under Ustad Kushi Mohammad Qawwal of Ferozepur. Manak later converted to Sikhism and he placed a Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji's Saroop (copy) at his home.
He is married to Sarabjeet and has two children, a son Yudhvir Manak (married) and a daughter Shakti (married). Yudhvir is following in his father's footsteps as an up-and-coming singer from Punjab. Manak is a heavy drinker since young age, he says his habit of drinking came from the people whose company he shared.
Career
Manak left Bathinda and went to Ludhiana to pursue his career as a singer. He started singing with the duo Harcharan Grewal and Seema. When they came to Delhi, a music company official spotted Manak and asked him to record the song Jija Akhian Na Maar Ve Main Kall Di Kurhi (written by Babu Singh Maan Mararawala) with Seema. His first record features this song along with Laung Karaa Mittra, Machhli Paunge Maape (written by Gurdev Singh Maan). This record was a runaway success. He started an office at Bathinda along with writer Dilip Singh Sidhu, but did not stay there for long and returned to Ludhiana. The writer Hardev Dilgir (also known as Dev Thrikewala) spotted Manak at one of his live performances and penned Lok Gathavan (Folk/old Stories) for him.
His first album, 'Teri Khatir Heere', was released by HMV. In 1976 his first LP was released called 'Ik Tara'. It included the songs 'Tere Tilley Ton', 'Chheti Kar Sarwan Bachcha' and 'Garh Mughlane Dian Naaran'. Further albums included 'Sahiban Da Tarla' (1978), 'Ichhran Dhaahan Maardi' and 'Sahiban Bani Bharaawan Di' (1978). Many singers in Punjab take care in what they eat, be it hot, cold or pickle, Manak keeps an attitude of eat what you get and eats any type of pickle. Manak also tried to run as a member of parliament in Punjab and did not win.
The self proclaimed Crown Prince of Bhangra, Jazzy B said in the track "Jadu (Rambo)": "Main Manak Da Chela, Dass Doon Aal Dawaale Nu, Meri Umar Vi Lagg Jey Jandu Littranwale Nu". "I am Manak's disciple (he is my Ustaad/Guru/Teacher), tell everyone and everything I hope that Jandu Littranwala (Lyricist) lives with my age added onto his (Paying homage)."
Jazzy B is a huge fan of Kuldeep Manak as are many other Punjabi artists, fans and admirers. Gurdas Maan paid tribute to Kuldeep Manak in his song "Pind Dian Galiyan" with line "Manak hadd muka giya naviyaan kaliyaan di.." roughly translated to "Kuldeep Manak broke all limits of traditional Punjabi Kali."
