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OP
- ED November
30 ,
2003: UK
He was born in the village of Bindrakh in 1962 in the Ropar district of Punjab to a farming family. His father Sucha Singh was a nationally known wrestler. Surjit started his singing career in his college days but he achieved international fame in 1994. Immensely popular in the rural belt of Punjab, Surjit’s voice was considered to be one of the most powerful voices among traditional singers of Punjab. He cut 32 singles during his decade-long career. He hit the big time with his song ‘Dupatta tera sat rang da’ a track that reached in the BBC top 10 songs of 1994. His unprecedented success was followed by the success of his ‘Toon nahin boldi toon nahi boldi’. His latest number ‘Jogiya’ too was doing well. Stated to be one of the most popular singers of Punjab, Surjit was considered to be the vital link between traditional Punjabi folk music and modern Punjabi pop. He could hold a single sound (and his breath) while singing in what is called a 'Hey-ke' for 32 seconds. This earned him a place in the Guinness book of world records. His first performance in the USA at the Punjabi American Festival in 1996 earned him the respect of US born Punjabi music fans. Since then he traveled to many western countries on multiple occasions, and every time he had sold-out shows. No Punjabi party or celebration is complete without his songs. Anyone attending a Punjabi party or celebration has probably danced to his music and songs. His songs have been copied and remixed by many Bollywood movies. He sang as a backup singer in at least a dozen Punjabi movies. Just before his death, Surjit recorded his last song “Main tirkae ghare da pani kal tak nahin rehna” (I am like water in a seeping pot that will not survive till tomorrow). Shamsher Singh wrote most of his songs. Atul Sharma composed all his recordings. His wife Preet Kamal Kaur, two children, Gitaj and Minaj and mother Gurcharan Kaur survives him. His songs will live forever in the hearts of Punjabis and music lovers all over the world. note: The author represents the Punjabi American Heritage Society, Yuba City, CA
Copyright
©The Sikh Sentinel 2003 |
Punjabi
traditional folk music has been able to establish its own distinct identity
despite onslaught from Hollywood's and Bolywood’s multibillion-dollar
industry. One of the leading artists who was able to bring Punjabi traditional
style singing from villages of Punjab to the international stage was Surjit
Singh. Every person who has any understanding or liking for Punjabi folk
music was shocked and disbelieved on November 17 on receiving news about
the sudden death of Surjit Singh.