Manmohan Waris
Manmohan Waris (Punjabi: ਮਨਮੋਹਨ ਵਾਰਿਸ) is one of the top Punjabi singers in the world. It has been almost 17 years since he released his first album "Gairan Naal Peenghan Jhootdeye' in 1993 and he has never looked back. Punjabis around the world love him and he feels the pressure of not letting them down. His humbleness and sincerity has won many hearts. His voice is considered one of the sweetest around and his songs attest to his passion for clean and literary lyrics.
Waris is married to Pritpal Kaur Heer and father to two children. He learned the regional classical music from Ustaad Jaswant Bhanvra Ji. He is the elder brother of Sangtar (a renowned Punjabi record producer, musician & poet) & Kamal Heer (a renowned Punjabi Folk/Pop singer). Waris is considered one of the best in Punjabi music and is known as The King Of Bhangra[1]
Background
He was born into a farming family in the Village of Halluwal, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India. Greatly interested in music since an early age, he started his formal music training at the age of 11. Everything he learned from his Guru, he taught to his younger brothers. So all three brothers got seriously involved in music at a very early age. He got his music degree from Punjab University. But the most influential music Guru he had was Shree Jaswant Singh Bhanwra.
Unlike many other Punjabi singers who also learned music from Shree Jaswant Singh Bhanwra, the Guru did not teach him so called "Lok-Gaayiki", he insisted on teaching him the real music he knew himself. He saw a great singer in Manmohan and he wanted him to shine. In 1990, Manmohan Waris's family moved to Canada where he made his first album 'Gairan Naal Peenghan Jhootdeye.' The album was a great success and when Waris returned to Punjab, Punjabi's everywhere just couldn't get enough of him. So he decided to move back to India. His career has never seen a foggy day since that time. Waris's philosophy about his name and fame may have something to do with that. In his opinion "keeping your name on the top is not an easy thing, you have to work hard to get here, and you have to work harder to stay here."
Manmohan's last religious release, named “Ghar Hun Kitni Ku Doore…” contained 8 very touchingly thoughtful songs. The title song of this album, that gives us a peak into the psyche of the young Sahibzadas’ minds after they got separated from the family, brings tears into eyes. Another song form this album 'Dukh Vichhade Nankane da' is a passive challenge to the active Sikh community and reminds us of our treasures in the political games of history.
Latest
Manmohan Waris’s latest release was introduced on the live show audio video ‘Punjabi Virsa’, a show that set many new records and precedents. The quality and the perfection of the recording and the performance of this release challenged the Punjabi music lovers to expect more from an artist. There's not a Punjabi music lover around the world who doesn't have a copy of the performance.
Discography
- Gairan Naal Peenghan Jhootdeye (1993)
- Sohnian De Laaray (1994)
- Hasdi De Phul Kirde (1995)
- Sajjre Challe Muklavay (1996)
- Gali Gali Vich Hokay (1997)
- Chardi Kala ‘ch Panth Khalsa (1997)
- Mitran Da Sah Rukda (1998)
- Husn Da Jadu (2000)
- Gajray Gori De (2001)
- Dil Vatte Dil (2003)
- Ghar Hun Kitni Ku Doore (2003)
- Shaunki Mela 2003 Surrey Live (2003)
- Nachiye Majajne (2004)
- Punjabi Virsa 2004 Wonderland Live (2004)
- Punjabi Virsa 2005 London Live (2005)
- Tasveer (2006)
- Punjabi Virsa 2006 Toronto Live (2006)
- Dil Nachda (2007)
- Laare Giniye (2008)
- Punjabi Virsa 2008 Vancouver Live (2009)
- Dil Te Na Laeen (2010)
Manmohan spends most of the year in Punjab and he tours the west in the summer. Manmohan's songs are evergreen songs. People remember his earliest work, as well as they do his latest. Manmohan's latest Punjabi Album, titled "Nachiye Majajne", has had a great response from Punjabis everywhere. The title song "Aja Appan Nachiye Majajne" with its Desi music and Dhole rhythms is a milestone on the future path of Punjabi music.
Dedication
The success of 'Punjabi Virsa.' proves that there is still room for literary and meaningful poetry in the fast paced, single based commercial Punjabi music world. Waris has always worked hard to put his efforts where his heart is. He is always eager to point out anything that gets his attention. He has never sung a song to gain merely a commercial success. But this is not his greatness, his greatness is that he doesn't do it to serve his language or his native land; he just does it because he is that kind of person and it is his nature.
