Surinder Shinda: Unknown Facts About The Punjabi Legend!

Surinder Pal Dhammi, popularly known as Surinder Shinda was a Punjabi singer. Famous for his Kali singing style, Shinda was considered the ‘grandfather of MOC’. Some of the hit songs from the singer include “Jatt jeona morh”, “Putt Jattan de” and “Yaaran da truck balliye”.

Surinder Shinda also appeared in Punjabi films such as Putt Jattan De and Ucha Dar Babe Nanak Da. A recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award at the Brit Asia TV Music Awards in 2013,

Shinda was also honored with the ‘Shiromani Gayak Award’ by the Punjab Government and the ‘Punjab Gaurav Rattan title by Kala Parishad. The singer breathed his last on 26th July 2023 following health issues.

Physical Stats

Surinder Shinda Family

Surinder Shinda was born on 20 May 1953 to Bachan Ram, a carpenter, and Vidyavati. The singer did not hail from a financially well-off background.

Relationships

Surinder Shinda was introduced to Joginder Kaur by Dev Tharikewala, a Punjabi lyricist. Joginder, a singer is the cousin of Dev’s wife. With the turn of events, Shinda got married to Joginder and the couple has two sons, Maninder and Simran.

Shinda’s both sons work in the music industry. Apart from being a singer, Maninder has also acted in a few Punjabi films.

Education

Shinda did his schooling at the Government Multipurpose School in Lakkar Bazar, Ludhiana. After completing his higher secondary education, the singer enrolled for a diploma in mechanical engineering in Ludhiana.

Controversies

Shinda’s name was dragged into the murder of Punjabi singer-songwriter Amar Singh Chamkila. The 26-year-old singer Chamkila who has been described as the “Elvis of Punjab” was shot dead on March 8th, 1988. Further to his death, rumors started doing the rounds that other singers who were jealous of Chamkila’s fame assassinated him through a contract killing. Shinda’s name was also heard during that time. 

Later, in an exclusive interview by Brit Asia TV in 2023, Mauji Dugriwala, the harmonium player and master of ceremonies for Chamkila was asked about the rumour of Shinda’s role in the young musician’s murder. However, Dugriwala replied that he will only tell the truth and that no father would ever kill his own son.

Surinder Shinda Profession

At a very early age of 4, Shinda started learning singing from his father who was a fine classical singer. At school also the boy attended music classes. After completing his diploma in mechanical engineering, Shinda worked with a private firm for a short period. 

Since 1959, Shinda became actively involved in singing and went on to release more than 165 music albums in his musical career. Some of the hit songs from the singer include  “Jatt Jeona Morh”, “Truck Billiya”, “Putt Jattan De”, “Balbiro Bhabhi” and “Kaher Singh Di Mout”. Shinda also acted in several films such as Ucha Dar Babe Nanak Da, Jatt Jeona Maur, Badla Jatti Da, and Patola.     

The singer set up ‘Elvis’, an orchestra company when militancy was at its peak in the state. With his discography, Shinda who was already popular in rural areas for his folk songs gained popularity in urban areas also. The singer was also referred to as the “grandfather of music on console”.

Shinda has taught music to several renowned musicians such as the late Amar Singh Chamkila, Maninder Shinda, Gill Hardeep, and Shiv Simran Pal Shinda’s son. In the later years of his career, the singer also worked as a producer for younger artists.

Surinder Shinda Net worth

Shinda’s main source of income was from singing songs and acting in films. Reportedly, his net worth as of 2023 stood at $2 million.

Lesser Known Facts About Surinder Shinda

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