Song Sung True

Her eighth album as a producer since 2005,Guleria wanted to revive a genre that her mother resurrected,and in the process,revive Punjabi and Punjabiyat,which she feels is losing its sheen and grace in the noise that surrounds it. Unlike the current crop of singers springing from every nook and corner,churning out a series of similar sounding albums,Guleria has been very careful with what she produces. “It’s embarrassing to hear today’s Punjabi music. It’s an insult to my mother’s memory too. People are forgetting her generation of singers and artistes,who gave Punjab an identity to be proud of. I have to keep it alive for her,and that’s why I continue to sing in her style. I simply can’t let go of this invaluable treasure,” says Guleria,who adds that she is on a mission to salvage her mother tongue.

The album opens with her song Mithi mithi boli,that has been penned by her,followed by three songs on wedding celebrations,and a refreshed Jugni — a popular thread from the traditional Punjabi folk music,where Guleria presented her version as a heartbreaking adventurous Punjaban. With this album,Guleria also revives a traditional form of Punjabi singing— Balo Mahiyan — a traditional jugalbandi of words,where she sings a romantic duet with Kuldip Bakshi.

Writing is something that Guleria says,she gets from her late father,and the album yet again proves her prowess as a poetess. With her daughter Sunaini Sharma on board as Creative Director,Guleria will be working on another devotional album. “I will be writing songs for Mata Ka Jagran based on old Punjabi songs by my mother,” says Guleria,who is also planning to work on a book on Kaur this year. “I want to tell the truth about her and not what people have been writing. Surinder Kaur the artist was very different from Surinder Kaur the woman,mother,wife and sister,” says Guleria. The book,once done,will be released in Punjabi,English and Urdu.

Meanwhile,the singer is busy running the Nightingale Music Academy in her mother’s name in Sector 12,Panchkula. She is training future musicians,singers and dancers,who travel with her and feature in her albums. However,she rues how Punjabi music has derailed and the ‘boys and girls’ have ruined it all with their popcorn entertainment. “There are daaru-gaddi lyrics,low cut dresses and vulgar videos. Girls are getting into it for glamour and films,and as a result,Punjab has no female voice to flaunt. It’s a big money chase,a game of exploitation,” says Guleria.