Background He was born into a farming family in the Village of Halluwal, Punjab. He had a great interest 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 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. Here 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’ 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 touching and 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 lost treasures in the political games of history.
Latest Manmohan Waris’s latest release was the live show audio video ‘Punjabi Virsa.’ This show 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 is no Punjabi music lover around the world who has not have a copy of this performance.
Discography
Gairan Naal Peenghan Jhootdeye
Sohnian De Laaray
Husdi De Ful Kirde
Sajjre Challe Muklavay
Gali Gali Vich Hokay
Chardi Kala ‘ch Panth Khalsa
Mitran Da Sah Rukda
Husn Da Jadu
Gajray Gori De
Dil Vatte Dil
Ghar Hun Kitni ku Doore
Nachiye Majajne
Punjabi Virsa
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 same way as they do his latest. Manmohan’s latest Punjabi Album is tited “Nachiye Majajne”. The album got 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 mere 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.