Singer-songwriter Gurdas Maan celebrates his 59th birthday on January 4th and as we wish him a glorious year ahead, we can’t help but whip up a jukebox of his classic yet contemporary, traditional yet bold tracks that have rocked our festivities, get-togethers and sublime evenings. Whether or not you’re a Punjabi at heart, this playlist is going to lend your day a jovial Punjabi rhythm.
I wasn’t even born when this number came out. But listening to it in a brand new 2016 takes me back to my memories of it playing on the radio at home. Maan not only had a unique voice but also made his mark as an actor in Punjabi films, Waris Shah: Ishq da Waris (2006) and Shaheed-E-Mohabbat Boota Singh (1999) being his most notable ones.
With a stellar record of more than 300 Punjabi songs till date, Maan’s classic style remains unchanged. In fact, his immensely popular rendition of Challa beats most other folk and mainstream versions of the number.
Did you know that Maan is an ardent fan of the Manchester United football club and also holds a black belt in Judo? He even rocked the music video era on the 90s. Remember this gem?
If you can’t get enough of Maan and are craving for more rustic melodies, his official website www.gurdasmaan.com is a real treasure trove.
But after you’re done with that, do make sure you listen to this mind blowing Coke Studio number. Actor Diljit Dosanjh and Mann groove together passionately and create pure folk bliss.
This new-age fusion track actually goes to show Maan’s ever growing popularity and timelessness. We can’t wait for more of Gurdas Maan’s music in 2016, especially since so much of Bollywood music has such a great deal of Punjabi influence. Remember these numbers from the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Veer-Zaara (2004)? Maan gave them an authentic touch that Udit Narayan just couldn’t have.
Here’s wishing Gurdas Maan, the most iconic voice in Punjabi music, a very happy birthday.
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