Gurdas Maan, perhaps the greatest punjabi singer of 21st century, has been responsible for taking punjabi music on world stage in an era when Disco and Western music was taking the world by storm.
Born on January 4, 1957, at Giddarbaha, Faridkot in Punjab, Gurdas Maan is the son of Gurdev Singh and Tej Kaur. After finishing his schooling in his hometown, Maan pursued his graduation at DAV College, Malout. Subsequently, he obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Physical Education from the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala.
Neend Na Vekhe Bistra, Bhukh Na Vekhe Maas. Maut Na Vekhe Umar Nu, Te Ishq Na Vekhe Zaat!!
Gurdas Maan
Yet, it was the widespread acclaim for his song “Dil Da Mamla Hai” that marked Gurdas Maan’s entry into the Punjabi music industry. When he sing the song on Doordarshan, the only TV channel in India, it soon became a rage. From that point on, there was no turning back, and he emerged as a legendary figure and a stalwart in Punjabi music.
Soon after “Dil Da Mamla Hai”, came “Mamla Gadbad Hai” and “Chhalla”, the latter being the hit film song from the Punjabi film ‘Laung Da Lishkara’ (1986), which Maan recorded under the music direction of legendary Jagjit Singh.
Maan saab has gone on to record over 34 albums and has written over 305 songs.
Some of his famous albums are Dil Da Mamla Hai, Jaadugarian, Ishq Da Gidda, Punjeeri, Heer, shq Na Dekhe Zaat and Boot Polishan for which he won “Best International Album” at the UK Asian Music Awards 2009.
Maan Saab is the only Punjabi singer to win the national award for Best Male Playback Singer at 54th National Film Awards for “Waris Shah: Ishq Daa Waaris” a movie he also starred with Juhi Chawla and Divya Dutta. His first movie was 1984 punjabi film “Mamla Gadbad Hai”. His other famous films are “Long Da Lishkara, Kee Banu Duniya Daa, Gabhroo Punjab Da, Qurbani Jatt Di, Shaheed-E-Mohabbat, Shaheed Udham Singh and Manto.
Aside from singing in Punjabi, he also sings in Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Haryanvi and Rajasthani.
Despite achieving superstar status, Maan maintained his humility. Whether performing at religious events in small towns or commanding the stage at concerts, he approached each endeavor with the same passion and dedication.
He is married to Manjeet Maan. They have a son, Gurickk Maan, who is married to actress Simran Kaur Mundi.
