Page 55 - Seniorstoday January 2022 Issue

over the past decade, he has also ventured
into Gurbani and Sufi music. Other 1990s
Punjabi pop stars included Sukhbir, Mika
Singh and Jasbir Jassi. The craze became
even stronger abroad, and the 1998 song
‘Mundian Tu Bach Ke’, produced by Panjabi
MC and sung by Labh Janjua, was a big hit.
Sukhshinder Shinda and Jazzy B did well
abroad.
Following the popularity of Punjabi pop,
the tendency to use such songs in films
began. Of course, there were singers who
did private albums. In 2011, Punjabi rapper
Yo Yo Honey Singh’s album International
Villager featured the hit ‘Gabru’. Singer-
actor Diljit Dosanjh and singer Guru recorded a special song called ‘Lohri’. On the
Randhawa had a good stint, and rapper devotional side, London-based Deepa Nair
Badshah used Punjabi in his songs. Raftaar, Rasiya has sung the gems ‘Nanak Naam’
originally from Kerala, used his Delhi and ‘Oonch Apaar’. After releasing a small
upbringing to rap in Punjabi. There were part in the film Rang De Basanti, Harshdeep
also one-hit wonders ‘Prada’ like Jass Manak Kaur released an entire album featuring ‘Ik
and ‘Lamberghini’ by the Doorbeen. Onkar’.
There have been some wonderful attempts Punjabi music has a rich history and
to do contemporary versions of folk songs. many classic songs, besides many modern
Neha Bhasin’s ‘Chitta Kukkad’ and ‘Jutti hits outside the film space. While they are
Meri’ are examples. This year, Rashmeet known within the community, it’s time
Kaur teamed up with Deep Kalsi and Ikka efforts are made to widen its reach further.
on a modern version of the folk song ‘Bajre There’s obviously more to it than swinging
Da Sitta’. For Lohri, Harbhajan Mann had to ‘That’s the way, Mahi ve’.

SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #31 | JANUARY 2022 55