Gurdas Mann
Born 4 January 1957 (age 53)
Giddarbaha, Muktsar, Punjab, India
Genres Punjabi
Bhangra
Hindustani
Occupations Singer-songwriter
Actor
Musician
Years active 1980 – present
Website
Gurdasmaan.com
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 speacial apperence in Veer-Zaara with Shahrukh Khan and Preity Zinta
MUSIC & FILMS … IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER
Collaborations (2006)
Vilayatan (2005)
Greatest Hits (2005)
Heer (2004)
Wanted Dead or Alive (2003)
Dance with Gurdas Maan (2003)
Ishq Na Dekhe Zaat (2003)
Peer Tere Jaan Di (2003)
Dil Da Badshah (1994)
Chaklo (1993)
Wah Ni Jawaniye (1994)
Ishq Da Giddha (2003)
Pyar Kar Lai (2001)
Best of Gurdas Maan (2001)
The Very Best of Gurdas Maan (2000)
Aaja Sajna (2000)
Mohabbat Zindabad (1992)
Jaadugarian (2000)
Dil Hona Chahida Jawaan (2000)
Kurian Ne Judo Sikh Lai (1998)
Yaar Mera Pyar (1991)
Khedan De Din Chaar (1991)
Ghar Bhulgi Morh Te Ake (1996)
Nach Babeyo (1995)
Than Than Gopal (1993)
Aakarh Aa Hi Jaandi-E (1993)
Geetan Bhari Patari (1991)
Peerh Prahoni (1988)
Masti (1984)
Dil Saaf Hona Chahida (1981)
Akhiyaan Udeek Dian (1980)
Besides these he released
3 religious albums
Daati Asin Mangate Tere (2005)
Kripa Daati Di(2002)
Gal Paa Ke Maiya Diyaan Chunniyaan (2001)
Mamla Gadbad Hai
Long Da Lashkara
Chhora Haryane Da
Ki Banu Duniyan Da
Qurbani Jatt Di
Ucha Dar Babbe ‘Nanak’ Da
Kachahri
Pratgiya
Wanted Dead or Alive – Gurdas Maan
Dushmani Di Aag
Gabroo Punjab Da
Baghavaat
Zindagi Khoobsoorat Hai
Shaheed-e-Mohabbat (Boota Singh)
Des Hoyea Pardes
Waris Shah – Ishq Daa Waaris (2006)
