BATHINDA – Legendary Punjabi singer Kuldip Manak, who passed away last week after a short battle with cancer, was buried last week at his native village Jalal with state honours.
Famous Punjabi singers, including Canadian Bhangra superstar Jazzy B, politicians and hundreds of people gathered to bid tearful adieu to Manak, who was 62-years-old at the time of his death.
Manak’s body was brought from Ludhiana in a funeral van fitted with loudspeakers playing music. More than 100 vehicles of politicians, singers and Manak’s admirers accompanied the van. His body was kept in the grain market for around two hours from where it was taken to the village graveyard.
An inconsolable wife of Manak, Sarabjit Kaur and daughter Shakti kept sitting near the body while Manak’s son Yudhvir, who has not been keeping well since long, stayed in his car. He was taken to the graveyard for few minutes where he performed his father’s last rites.
A police contingent fired gunshots in the air to pay tributes to the departed soul.
A coterie of Punjab’s top singers Hans Raj Hans, Harbhajan Mann, comedian-turned-politician Bhagwant Mann, Nachhattar Gill, Mohammad Sadique, Sardul Sikandar, Jazzy B, Jaswant Sandila, Jasdev Singh Jasowal, Sarabjeet Cheema, Buta Mohammad and Manak’s nephew Kewal Jalal were present.
Just before his death, Manak had collaborated with his most beloved pupil Jazzy B. on a tribute album titled Maharajas, in which the international Bhangra superstar paid homage to his mentor and friend.
