Punjab’s singer-actor-producer Gurdas Maan will be honoured with a doctorate in World Music by UK’s University of Wolverhampton on September 7, adding another feather to his 25-year career. “I’m elated, it’s not only an honour for me, but for the Punjabi community across the globe. Music has no boundaries and my music has a huge following abroad. I have been offered honorary citizenship by many state governors in the United States,” says Maan who is currently in the US on a 12-show concert tour.
Next April, he will perform at The Royal Albert Hall in London that has staged leading artistes like Sir Cliff Richard, Pavarotti, The Beatles and Frank Sinatra. Maan who has performed at the city’s Wembley Arena and Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre in the past, is excited about taking center stage at this historic venue.
Ask him if he’ll be accompanied by a Bollywood entourage and he says, “I have always performed solo, I believe that’s what my fans enjoy. Besides UK, I will also be touring Canada in August 2011 and Australia later in the year.”
Why isn’t he singing for big ticket Bollywood movies that invariably have a Punjabi chartbuster? “The focus has always been the growth and promotion of Punjabi music,” he asserts. “But having said that, if something interesting comes my way, I will definitely look at it.” Though he does admit that there are many projects in the pipeline. “But due to my stage shows, albums and other commitments I’m unable to allocate time for them,” he sighs. “My new album, Jogiya, will be releasing by the end of the year.”
Jogiya ve jogiya,
Ki kehnai tu jogiya ?
Mai eh kehna, ni sohniye…
Sundi-Sundi mai mari, mariya lakh karorh
Sunana jisnu aa gya, ohnu bolan di ki lorh
Mai bakre di maar ke, tumbe khall marhau
Jadd takk mai-mai na, tu-tu bole kaun
Mast kalandar mauj de, maalak hon fakeer
Beparwaha sahmne, ki raje kaun wazeer
Maalak de hath doriyan, neetan hath muraad
Laaha lain viyaaj da, mool jihna nu yaad
Jaat-paat na majahab di, sanu nind vichaar
Usnu matha tekiye, jehrha sabnu kare pyaar
Akhan nu ki aakhna, ‘te kanna nu ki kehan
Rabb bnaaiyan jorhiyan, shala raazi rehan
Je changyaiyan beejiye, buryaiyan ugdiyan naal
Jisda koi jawab ni, oas layi kare sawal
Chad maana marjaneya, maran da chad khyaal
Duniya maare na mare, Sai jisde naal
Chal Wanjareya jogiya, is pattan to paar
Oas pattan ki baithna, jis pattan ni yaar........
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