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Padamshri S.Asa Singh Mastana | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | Asa Singh (1927-08-22)22 August 1927 |
| Died | 23 May 1999(1999-05-23) (aged 71) |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Formerly of | Surinder Kaur Prakash Kaur Madan bala sidhu Pushpa Hans |
Asa Singh Mastana (22 August 1926– 23 May 1999) was aPunjabi musician and singer best known for lending his voice to theBollywood movie Dooj Ka Chand and singingjugni andHeer-genre of folk songs, which recount the tales ofHeer Ranjha by poetWaris Shah.[1] He became popular in the 1940s, by the mid-1960s, when state-runAll India Radio started promoting folk musicians, this made him, along withSurinder Kaur,Pushpa Hans,Madan Bala Sidhu,Prakash Kaur, singers of cult status.[2][3]
His well-known songs, such as "Balle Ni Panjaab Diye Sher Bachiye", "Doli Charhdeyan Marian Heer Cheekaan" and "Kali Teri Gut", have served as templates for later Punjabi musicians[4] His work also expanded to singing sad songs like "Jadon Meri Arthi Utha Ke Chalan Ge".[1][5] He was mostly paired with Surinder Kaur sang along with Pushpa Hans, Madan Bala Sidhu and many more versatile female singers of the time singing many old folk songs of Punjab.
In 1985, he was awarded thePadma Shri by theGovernment of India.[6]
Asa was christened "Mastana" by his 8th-grade teacher at Khalsa School after hearing him humming.[citation needed]
At a young age, his voice and innate musical talent quickly gained attention in his local community.[citation needed] Mastana was a fan ofMadam Noor Jahan andK.L. Saigal. If given a chance, he would often choose to sing the legendaryK.L. Saigal's songs.
The turning point in Asa Singh Mastana's life occurred when he started singing onAll India Radio, making his voice well-known. He sung on All India Radio for over 45 years.[citation needed]
One of the most significant milestones in Mastana's career was in 1961 when he was selected as part of India's first cultural delegation toAfghanistan, under the patronage of Prime MinisterPandit Jawaharlal Nehru.[citation needed] This marked the beginning of his journey as a global ambassador ofPunjabi culture.
Mastana's international tours took him to theUnited Kingdom,Canada, theUnited States,Kuwait, and numerous other countries, where he received invitations from Indian councils and dignitaries.[citation needed] His performances not only entertained but also educated the world about the rich cultural tapestry of Punjab.
Asa Singh Mastana's contributions to Punjabi music were recognized with numerous awards and accolades. He received many prestigious awards for his dedication to preserving the folk music of Punjab. He was honored with an appreciation award by the President of India for his outstanding contributions to Punjabi folk and light music.[citation needed]
In 1985, Mastana received thePadmashri, one of India's highest civilian awards, for his exceptional contributions to music. This honour marked him as one of the pioneering figures in Punjabi music to receive such recognition. The same year, he was bestowed with the Punjabi Academy Award and the Shobana Award.[citation needed]
Sangeet Natak Academy, the apex body for the performing arts in India, acknowledged Mastana's excellence by awarding him in 1986. In 1989, the Punjab government also honoured him with a state award in appreciation of his invaluable contributions to the field of art and culture. He also received theSmita Patil Memorial Award.[citation needed]
Asa Singh Mastana died on May 23, 1999 at his residence in New Delhi after a prolonged illness resulting from an accident. He had a son and a daughter, as well as a granddaughter, Nam Kaur Mastana.[citation needed]