There are some voices that define an era, and then there are voices that travel beyond time, language and even countries. And Punjabi singing icon Gurdas Maan most certainly belongs to the latter category. His voice has transcended beyond generations and people who love soulful Punjabi songs would agree with it.
As the legendary Punjabi singer prepares to return for a rare, one-night-only concert titled ‘Gurdas Maan – Live Like Never Before’ on March 21, 2026, in Mumbai, the moment carries both nostalgia and renewed relevance.
Ahead of his big concert, Moneycontrol got the opportunity to conduct an exclusive chat with him over phone. During the telephonic conversation, we asked Gurdas Maan who is known for his iconic songs like 'Challa', 'Ki Banu Duniya Da' and many more about Punjabi music, its relevant and essence in today's world.
To this Gurdas Maan sahab said "Only if you can stay authentic can you actually make a place in people’s hearts."
Very few songs in Indian music have achieved the kind of intergenerational resonance that 'Challa' and 'Ki Banu Duniya Da' have. But Gurdas Maan says the origin of these songs was far from being just a calculated move.
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“When I wrote Ki Banu Duniya Da, it came from a feeling of grave concern for the changing times that I was growing up in, it was like my inner voice, and I just wanted to put it out there like an appeal - and somewhere that appeal is everyone's appeal to each other, and maybe that is why some songs are relevant even today," he said.
As Punjabi music finds new audiences globally, driven by contemporary sounds and younger artists, Gurdas Maan says he sees it as a rediscovery and not a reinvention.
“Old is gold they say, so the newer generation is just discovering the gold in the old Punjabi songs that represented the truest essence of Punjab, with the sounds of today," says Gurdas Maan, who is going to be enthralling the audience on March 21.
Having performed across continents for decades, Gurdas Maan acknowledged that time has refined but not reduced his connection with the live audiences. And he is excited like always for his live concert.
In the recent past many Punjabi singers including Diljit Dosanjh, AP Dhillon, Karan Aujla and Saitnder Sartaj have had successful concerts across India.
“For an artist the pleasure of performing comes from his or her desire to be able emotionally move the audience, and for me that desire has been a constant, only that the energy is now more controlled as compared to when I began my career," says Gurdas Maan, who has done multiple concerts across the globe in his 4 decade long musical career.
Even today, Challa continues to echo across playlists, performances and personal memories. Gurdas Maan says Challa's enduring love is met with humility. “Challa has given me a lot as an artist. God has been kind.”
Gurdas Maan’s music has often blurred the lines between song, poetry and storytelling. When asked how he sees himself, he said: "Every poet and a singer must be a storyteller at heart, and so I would like to believe that I am a storyteller, that got the opportunity to tell stories through poetry and singing."
Gurdas Maan says the soul of Punjabi culture should be preserved but he is also open to change which should be done cautiously.
“The soul of Punjabi culture needs to be preserved, but like anything in the world everything is evolving, the way we perceive culture is also evolving and so in this ever changing dynamic the mere definition of culture is changing, and this change is inevitable and good, but as long as it is in the direction of authenticity, it is fine, otherwise we will lose the basic essence of our culture very soon," he adds.
On legacy, Diljit and what lies ahead
With artists like Diljit Dosanjh, Karan Aujla and Satinder Sartaaj taking Punjabi music worldwide, the conversation inevitably turns to roots versus reach.
To this Gurdas Maan said: "I believe the essence is still intact so far, the roots of Punjabi culture are too long and strong, so fortunately we still have the songs rooted, but it may seem to be on the edge of being uprooted, and hence the younger generation of artist must do everything in their power to preserve certain irreplaceable features of our culture.”
Their collaboration on Ki Banu Duniya Da for Coke Studio remains iconic, and Gurdas Maan speaks warmly about Diljit’s journey.
“Diljit is a gem, he is a living proof of what believing in a goal can do - he believed in his goal, he believed in himself for achieving them, and had the focus to never get distracted. We do speak occasionally," he says with a feeling of pride.
Gurdas Maan also reiterated that there is a deeper role of music in society. “History bares witness to the fact that music and poetry have played a huge role in shaping societies and cultures across timelines - Music can communicate without prejudice, and in times of conflict, music can make the difference. Only if you can Stay authentic can you actually make a place in peoples hearts - and that’s the only way to be relevant for a long time," he asserts.
As Mumbai gears up for this one-night-only performance, what awaits is not just a concert, but a living archive of Punjabi culture, emotion and identity. In an industry constantly chasing the next big thing, Gurdas Maan stands as a reminder that some voices don’t need reinvention they simply need to be heard again.
Presented by Eva Live, Gurdas Maan's performance in Mumbai is positioned as a singular showcase during his current global touring cycle.
Backed by an 11-member live band, the evening on March 21 is going to be an immersive journey through Punjabi folk music, poetry and cultural memory.
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