Kuldeep Manak

Some Lesser Known Facts About Kuldeep Manak

• Kuldeep Manak was an Indian folk singer in the Punjabi music industry. In Punjab, he was known as “Kaliyan Da Badahsah.” He was famous for the style of his singing with the musical instrument called “Tumbi.” On 30 November 2011, he died of a prolonged illness.

• He had two brothers, Siddqui was the devotional singer, and Rafiq was a tantric, who was booked for molestation in 2003. ^[9]The Tribune

• His headmasters Kashmir Singh and Lal Singh Brar supported him financially by paying off his school fee, and they also encouraged him to learn singing. Headmaster Kashmir Singh’s friend Ustad Kushi Mohammad Qawwal of Ferozpur started giving music lessons to Kuldeep after school hours.

• The former chief minister of Punjab Sardar Partap Singh Kairon was the person who named him Kuldeep Manak. Once there was a tournament in Kuldeep’s school, where Sardar Pratap Singh Kairon was the chief guest, Kuldeep was forced to sing on stage by his teachers, and the chief minister appreciated his talent and gave him the name Kuldeep Manak.

• In his school days, Kuldeep and his nephew started performing on stage as they were very inspired by the Dhadis (devotional singers who sing using traditional instruments like Sarangi).

• Kuldeep Manak moved to Ludhiana from Bathinda to pursue his singing career. In Ludhiana, he collaborated with singer Harcharan Grewal and famous vocalist Surinder Seema.

• At the age of 17 years, he recorded his first song with Surinder Seema, which was a great hit.

• In 1973, he recorded his first EP (extended play), “Punjab Diyan Lok Gathawan,” under the HMV.
  

• He recorded one of his famous albums “Allah Bismillah Teri Jugni” in 1974.

• He recorded his first LP (Long Play), “Ik Tara,” in 1976, which consisted of his popular Kali ” Tere Tille Ton.”
  

• He was famous for his stage performances. He was not in favour of making partnerships with any female vocalist on stage. In an interview, he said.
  

  I never made partnerships with female singers as people come to see me and hear my songs, not a couple on stage.” ^[10]Music Waves

• He used to start his every stage show by giving a tribute to Banda Singh Bahadur.

• In an interview, he revealed that he once performed at Gadri Babe Da Mela in the village Jala, where he needed to be escorted via helicopter by the DGP KPS Gill due to the gathering of around 12-13 lakh people. He said he had never seen that much crowd anywhere other than Gadri Babe Da Mela.

  

• In 1979, he sang the song ” Sathon Nae Majhin Chaar Hundian” for the film Saidan Jogi. He sang a popular song, “Yaaran Da Truck Balliye,” for the film Lambardaarni (1980).

• In an interview, he revealed that in 1981, he produced and acted in the film “Balbiro Bhabi;” after this film, he decided he would never act again as he lost a lot of money while producing that film.

• In 1983, he recorded an LP with Amarjot Kaur; the songs “Ik Mai Hova Ik Tu Hove” and “Lae Gya Meri Jind Kadh Ke” of that LP were the most popular.

• In 1996, he contested the Lok Sabha election from Bathinda as an independent candidate but lost the election to Harinder Singh Khalsa from the Shiromani Akali Dal party.

  

• In an interview, he disclosed that he decided to join politics because he was saddened due to the murder of singer Dilshad Akhtar and wanted to do something for the music industry.

• According to Kuldeep Manak, the reason behind his success was the blessings of a seer, who was suffering from leprosy.

• Kuldeep Manak was popular for his French-cut beard.

• He was known for his high pitch and high notes songs.