Trivia

Surinder Shinda, was an Indian singer of Punjabi music who is considered a "grandfather of moc" and has been described as "legendary".

In later years, he worked as a producer for younger artists. In addition, his latest album Dhulla Bhatti was successful in the Punjabi music market.

Shinda was honoured by the Punjab Government with the 'Shiromani Gayak Award,' while Kala Parishad bestowed on him the Punjab Gaurav Rattan title.

His song "Jeona Morh" is considered a legend in Punjabi music.

He also began an orchestra company.

His song "Badla Le Layeen Sohneya" is one of the greatest hits of Punjabi music.

Shinda began singing in 1959 and released close to 165 music albums.

Shinda was a colleague of the Punjabi singer Kuldeep Manak and has also taught music to the late Amar Singh Chamkila, Gill Hardeep, Maninder Shinda, Shiv Simran Pal Shinda's son.

Shinda received a Lifetime Achievement award at the 2013 Brit Asia TV Music Awards.

He was survived by his son, Maninder Shinda, who is also a musician.

Known for the distinctive Kali singing style, he collaborated with Punjabi singer Kuldeep Manak and others as well as imparted training to several artists of the Punjabi music industry. One name that is closely associated with him is of legendary Amar Singh Chamkila, whom he mentored in the phenomenal singer's initial years of musical odyssey.

Shinda was married to late lyricist Hardev Dilgir's cousin, who used to write lyrics for him and Manak.

He belonged to an era when singers had offices close to bus stands so that patrons desirous of booking them for programmes could easily approach them.

Known for hit songs "Putt Jattan De", "Jatt Jeona Morh" and "Truck Balliya", Shinda was recognised for his exceptional contribution to folk and classical music.

He had also opened an orchestra company named Elvis when militancy was at its peak in the state. This is how he started getting popular in urban areas as well.

Surinder Shinda belonged to those golden days of Punjabi singing when singers epitomised true Punjabi culture in their voice and their persona.

After completing higher secondary education, Shinda enrolled for a diploma in mechanical engineering in Ludhiana and briefly worked at a private firm before becoming a full-time singer.

The singer recently also produced albums for young artists.

With a booking diary which was invariably full, there were times when he would have as many as 56 shows in a month.

Though he did not consider himself "a born actor", he made his presence felt in several Punjabi films like "Putt Jattan De", "Ucha Dar Babe Nanak Da" and "Badla Jatti Da" among others.