Kuldeep Manak, was an Indian folk singer famous by the name “Kaliyan da Baadshah” in Punjab. He was the master of an instrument called the Tumbi. In 1976, he became the first Punjabi artist to record LP (long play) with HMV. In the era of duet performances, Kuldeep Manak preferred to perform solo on stage and gave many big hit shows of his career. He died of pneumonia complications in November 2011, in Ludhiana.
Wiki/Biography
According to some sources, Latif Mohammed Khan was born on Thursday, 15 November 1951 (age 60 years; at the time of death) in village Jalal, district Bathinda, Punjab whereas some sources say that he was born on 15 November 1949. (age 62 years; at the time of death). He completed his education at a government high school in Jalal. This is the place where his headmasters Kashmir Singh and Lal Singh Brar encouraged him to become a singer and appointed Ustad Kushi Mohammad Qawwal of Ferozpur to teach him the art of music. While attending a tournament at the govt. high school, the chief minister of Punjab, Sardar Partap Singh Kairon got impressed by his voice and named him “Kuldeep Manak“.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 3″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Kuldeep Manak belonged to a “Mirai” family.
Parents & Siblings
Nikka Khan was the father of Kuldeep Manak, who himself used to do kirtan and sing rags. Kuldeep Manak lost his father at a very early age of his life. He had 2 brothers, Siddqui who was a devotional singer, and Rafiq, considered a tantric, who later, in 2003, was booked for molestation.
Wife & Children
Kuldeep Manak was married to Sarabjeet Kaur and had a daughter, Shakti Manak, and a son, Yudhvir Manak with her. His son Yudhvir Manak is also a singer in Punjabi Music Industry.
Kuldeep Manak with his son and daughter
Kuldeep Manak with his wife and daughter
Kuldeep Manak’s wife
Religion
Though he belonged to a Muslim family, he was a preacher of Sikhism. As his grandfather, father, and uncles were the Hazoori Ragis for the Maharaja Hira Singh of Nabha, and they had prakash of the holy book “Guru Granth Sahib” at their home so Kuldeep Manak became more inclined towards Sikhism. In an interview, he talked about his religious views and said
Since childhood, he has seen his parents at the service of Guru Granth Sahib, that is why he became preacher of Sikhism.”
Career
Singer
To pursue a career in singing, Kuldeep Manak moved to Ludhiana from Bathinda and started singing with Harcharan Grewal and Surinder Seema. When he was 17 years old, he got a chance to record a duet with the famous vocalist Surinder Seema for the first time and that record turned into a huge success.
“Maa Mirze di Boldi” was the first folk song sung by Kuldeep Manak. In 1973, he recorded “Punjab Dian Lok Gathawan” as his first EP under HMV. Later, in 1974, he recorded the album named “Allah Bismillah Teri Jugni” which was a great hit of that time. His famous Kali “Tere Tille Ton” was part of his first LP “Ik Tara” recorded with HMV.
Live Performances
Kuldeep Manak and his nephew started performing on stage in the school itself. He was influenced by the Dhadis (a type of musical tercet or quartet) to sing in a high-pitched voice. In his career, he performed on many stages in India as well as abroad.
He told in an interview that the biggest gathering of 12-13 lakh people that he ever witnessed was at his village, Jalal, where he landed the stage on a plane along with the DGP KPS Gill. He said whenever he performed at Gadri Babe de Mela, there was always a huge crowd.
Kuldeep Manak performing at Gadri Babe Da Mela held in Canada
Film
Kuldeep Manak sang many hit songs in the movies such as “Sathon Nae Majhin Chaar Hundian” in Saidan Jogi and “Yaaran Da Truck Balliye” in Lambardaarni. In 1981, he produced a movie “Balbiro Bhabi” in which he acted and sang as well but after this movie, he decided to never act in any movie again. In an interview, he said
He faced a huge loss in this movie and he will never act again. He will consider singing a song in movies rather than acting.”
Politics
In 1996, as an independent member, Kuldeep Manak participated in the parliament election from Bathinda. He was able to acquire 23,090 votes but lost the election.
In his interview with media waves, he said that he decided to join politics to do something for the singer fraternity because the murder of singer Dilshad Akhtar deeply saddened him.
Controversy
Kuldeep Manak revealed in an interview that, in 1971, he was booked for a murder case under fake allegations. He was kept and tortured in police custody for three days.
Death
On Wednesday, 30 November 2011, Kuldeep Manak passed away in the Local hospital, DMC Ludhiana. He was suffering from a prolonged illness and had pneumonia complications in his last days. The last rites were performed at his birthplace, village Jalal, on 2nd December 2011.
Facts/Trivia
- Kuldeep Manak’s friends used to call him “Manka” in school.
- Kuldeep Manak was famous for another title “Lok Gayaki Da Baadshah”.
- Kuldeep Manak was an artist who had sung songs on different pitches and tones. He was also called the high-pitched singer.
- He was very inspired by the work of the greatest playback singer Mohammed Rafi.
- Hardev Dilgir and Kuldeep Manak were very close to each other as Dilgir wrote many Lok Gathawan for Manak.
- Kuldeep Manak was a heavy drinker in his time. As he stated in an interview that even, sometimes the audience asked him to have alcohol before performing on stage.