Kamal Heer
Kamal Heer (born Kamaljeet Singh Heer) is an Indian born Canadian musician. He is the younger brother of Manmohan Waris and Sangtar, two other esteemed musicians. His live performances showcase his virtuosity with taan and his command of the art of traditional Punjabi music. All three Heer brothers are behind the formulation of Punjabi Virsa shows all over the world. These shows have become internationally famous. Also a talented composer, Kamal Heer has collaborated with his brother Sangtar to write music for their brother Waris.
Kamal Heer | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Kamaljeet Singh Heer |
| Born | 23 January 1973 Halluwal, Punjab, India |
| Origin | Surrey, British Columbia, Canada |
| Genres | Punjabi, bhangra, pop, folk, classical |
| Occupation(s) | Singer and music composer |
| Instrument(s) | Chimta, harmonium and vocals |
| Years active | Music director: 1993–2000 Singer: 2000–present |
| Labels | Plasma Records (India) Moviebox (UK) |
| Website | Official website |
Career
Kamal Heer was born in the village of Halluwal, Punjab, India. He learned music from Ustaad Jaswant Singh Bhanwra. After Kamal's family moved to Canada in 1990, he and his older brother Sangtar started composing music. In 1993 they composed music for Manmohan Waris's album, Gaairan Naal Penghan Jhotdiye, which became a huge hit. Heer continued composing until 1999.
Heer's debut album, Kamli, was released in 2000, which was mostly not a success. In 2002 he released Masti-Kanthay Vala, which became very successful especially "Kanthay Vala". He released Masti 2 in 2003 which contained the tracks "Nachne Nu Kare Mera Ji", "Kinnu Yaad Kar Kar Hasdi", "Hick Da Taveet" and "Ishq Ne Kamle Karte".
Heer continued his success with Punjabi Virsa 2004 - Toronto Live, a live album recorded in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with his two brothers. The success of this live album led to Punjabi Virsa concerts happening every year, when he toured with his brothers all around the world. Punjabi Virsa 2005, Punjabi Virsa 2006 and Punjabi Virsa 2008 were also recorded live. After the moderately successful studio albums Masti Three (2006) and Chan Jiha Gabhru (2007), Heer released Jinday Ni Jinday in 2009. This album is considered his most popular to date. After the Punjabi Virsa 2009 tour of Australia and New Zealand, there was Punjabi Virsa 2010.
Heer released the next live concert, Punjabi Virsa 2011 Melbourne, with Manmohan Waris and Sangtar. The show was widely appreciated. In 2012 he released two singles, "Club Wich" and "Google". In 2013 he released another live concert, Punjabi Virsa 2013, with Manmohan Waris and Sangtar. In February 2014, Heer put out the collaborative album Unity with Waris and Sangtar.
Discography
Studio albums
Kamli
- Released: January 2000
- Format: Audio cassette, CD and digital download
- Label: Plasma Records, MagnaSound
- Writer: Malkiat Meet, Sangtar, Davinder Khannewala, Pappa Rajewalia, and Debi Makhsoospuri
- Producer: Sangtar
- Tracks: 8
- Singles: "Kamli", "Dila Meria"
Masti-Kanthay Vala
- Released: December 2002
- Format: Audio cassette, CD and digital download
- Label: Plasma Records, Music Waves
- Writer: Malkiat Meet, Davinder Khannewala, Debi Makhsoospuri and Sangtar
- Producer: Sangtar
- Director: Myth & Magic, Baljit Deol
- Tracks: 10
- Singles: "Kanthay Vala", "Bhajan Kure", "Yaad Aegi", "Dhann Dhann"
Masti 2
- Released: November 2003
- Format: CD, Audio cassette and digital download
- Label: Plasma Records, Kiss Records
- Writer: Mangal Hathur and Debi Makhsoospuri
- Producer: Sangtar
- Tracks: 10
- Singles: "Nachne Nu Kare Mera Jee", "Kinnu Yaad Kar Kar Hasdi", "Ishq Ne Kamle Karte"
- Released: February 2006
- Format: CD, Audio cassette and digital download
- Label: Plasma Records, Kiss Records
- Writer: Mangal Hathur and SM Sadiq
- Producer: Sangtar
- Director: Sandeep Sharma
- Tracks: 10
- Singles: "Gaaia Na Kar Ni", "Akh Larh Gaee", "Kamaad Beejia"
Chan Jiha Gabhru
- Released: December 2007
- Format: CD and digital download
- Label: Plasma Records, Kiss Records
- Writer: Mangal Hathur, Charan Likhari and Sangtar
- Producer: Sangtar
- Director: Sandeep Dhaliwal, Azeem Parker, Rimpy Prince and Sandeep Sharma
- Tracks: 8
- Singles: "Chan Jiha Gabhru", "Mar Gae Majajne", "Hathiar Na Chaliye", "Moti Chunke", "Majhay Diye Kudiye"
- Released: November 2009
- Format: CD and digital download
- Label: Plasma Records
- Writer: Jasbir Gunachauria, Sukhpal Aujla, Anil Fattegarh Jattan, Charan Likhari, Ninder Sher Khan, Preet Khetla and Sangtar
- Producer: Sangtar
- Director: Robert Holbrook, Sandeep Sharma and Bhupi Syan
- Tracks: 8
- Singles: "Jinday Ni Jinday", "Ik Boli", "Nashedi Dil", "Chete Kareen"
Collaborations
Unity (With Manmohan Waris and Sangtar)
- Released: February 27, 2014
- Format: CD, digital
- Label: Plasma Records, MovieBox
- Writer: Kamal Heer, Sangtar, Davinder Khannewala
- Producer: Sangtar
- Tracks: 11
- Singles: "Dil Di Rani", "Chann Di Chadini", "Dila Meria", "Gal Ban Gaee" (Photo Viah Wali)"
Live albums
Shaunki Mela 2003-Surrey Live (Recorded live at Millenium Park, Surrey, Canada on 21 June 2003. With Manmohan Waris, Gurpreet Ghuggi and Sangtar.)
- Released: August 2003
- Format: DVD, VHS, CD and Audio cassette
- Label: Plasma Records
- Writer: Dhadi Amar Singh Shaunki, Shamsher Singh Sandhu, Charan Singh Safari, Kuldip Deep, Debi Makhsoospuri, Davinder Khannewala, Gurpreet Guggi, Jasbir Gunachauria, Mangal Hathur and Sangtar
- Producer: Sangtar
- Tracks: 29
Punjabi Virsa 2004-Wonderland Live (Recorded live at Canada's Wonderland, Canada. With Manmohan Waris and Sangtar.)
- Released: October 2004
- Format: DVD and CD
- Label: Plasma Records, Kiss Records
- Writer: Dhadi Amar Singh Shaunki, Mangal Hathur, Davinder Khannewala, Debi Makhsoospuri, Malkiat Meet, Jasbir Gunachauria and Kuldip Deep
- Producer: Sangtar
- Tracks: 28
Punjabi Virsa 2005-London Live (Recorded live at London, England. With Manmohan Waris and Sangtar.)
- Released: November 2005
- Format: DVD and CD
- Label: Plasma Records, Kiss Records
- Writer: Dhadi Amar Singh Shaunki, Mangal Hathur, Davinder Khannewala and Sangtar
- Producer: Sangtar
- Tracks: 26
Punjabi Virsa 2006-Toronto Live (Recorded live at the Hershey Center, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. With Manmohan Waris and Sangtar.)
- Released: December 2006
- Format: DVD and CD
- Label: Plasma Records, Kiss Records
- Writer: Baba Bulleh Shah, Mangal Hathur, Davinder Khanewala, Sangtar and Jasbir Gunachauria
- Producer: Sangtar
- Tracks: 37
Punjabi Virsa 2008 Vancouver Live (Recorded live at Orpheum Theater, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on 30 August 2008. With Manmohan Waris and Sangtar.)
- Released: February 2009
- Format: DVD and CD
- Label: Plasma Records, Planet Recordz
- Writer: Prof. Mohan Singh, Debi Makhsoospuri, Mushtak Alam Goga, Jasbir Gunachauria, Charan Likhari, Mangal Hathur and Sangtar
- Producer: Sangtar
- Tracks: 27
Punjabi Virsa 2011 (Recorded live in Melbourne, Australia. With Manmohan Waris and Sangtar.)
- Released: 2011
- Format: DVD and CD
- Label: Plasma Records, MovieBOX
- Producer: Sangtar
- Tracks: 45
Punjabi Virsa 2013 (Recorded live in Sydney, Australia. With Manmohan Waris and Sangtar.)
- Released: 2013
- Format: DVD and CD
- Label: Plasma Records, MovieBOX
- Producer: Sangtar
- Tracks: 43
Punjabi Virsa 2014 (Recorded live in Abbottsford, Canada. With Manmohan Waris and Sangtar.)
- Released: 2014
- Format: DVD and CD
- Label: Plasma Records, MovieBOX
- Producer: Sangtar
- Tracks: 39
Punjabi Virsa 2015[1] (Recorded live in Auckland, New Zealand. With Manmohan Waris and Sangtar.)
- Released: 2015
- Format: DVD and CD
- Label: Plasma Records, MovieBOX
- Producer: Sangtar
- Tracks: 22
Punjabi Virsa 2016[2] (Recorded live in Powerade. With Manmohan Waris and Sangtar.)
- Released: 13 April 2017
- Format: DVD and CD
- Label: Plasma Records
- Producer: Sangtar
- Tracks: 18
Punjabi Virsa 2017 (Recorded live in Melbourne, Australia. With Manmohan Waris and Sangtar.)
- Released: 2018
- Format: DVD and CD
- Label: Plasma Records[3]
- Producer: Sangtar
Compilations
Masti Hits
- Released: August 2006
- Format: DVD and CD
- Label: Plasma Records
- Writer: Mangal Hathur, Malkiat Meet and Davinder Khannewala
- Producer: Sangtar
- Tracks: 10
Moti Chun Ke (Sad Song Collection)
- Released: July 2008
- Format: CD
- Label: Plasma Records
- Writer: Mangal Hathur, Debi Makhsoospuri, Davinder Khannewala, Malkiat Meet and Charan Likhari
- Producer: Sangtar
- Tracks: 10
Punjabi Reloaded (With Manmohan Waris)
- Released: September 2008
- Format: CD
- Label: Plasma Records, Kiss Records
- Writer: Mangal Hathur and Davinder Khannewala
- Producer: Joy & Atul
- Tracks: 12
Music videos
| Year | Song | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Kamli | Kamli |
| Dila Meria | ||
| 2002 | Bhajjan Kurray | Masti-Kanthav Vala |
| Kanthey Vala | ||
| Yaad Aegi | ||
| Dhann Dhann | ||
| 2003 | Nachne Nu Kare Mera Ji | Masti 2 |
| Kinnu Yaad Kar Kar Hassidi | ||
| Ishq Ne Kamle Karthe | ||
| 2006 | Gaaia Na Karne | Masti Three |
| Akh Lar Gaee | ||
| Kaamad Bejeya | ||
| 2007 | Chan Jiha Gabhru | Chan Jiha Gabhru |
| Mar Gae Majajne[4] | ||
| Roz Ladna | ||
| Hathiar Na Chalaiye | ||
| Sharab Chon Disen | ||
| Moti Chunke | ||
| Majhay Diye Kudiye[4] | ||
| 2008 | Huss Ho Gia | Punjabi Reloaded |
| Chajju Da Chubara | ||
| Ik Gerha | ||
| 2009 | Jinday Ni Jinday (Vancouver) | Jinday Ni Jinday |
| Ik Boli | ||
| Jinday Ni Jinday(New Delhi) | ||
| Nashedi Dil | ||
| 2010 | Pendu Jatt | |
| TBA | Chetey Kareen |
Non-album singles
| Year | Song | Record label | Music | Lyrics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "Facebook" | Plasma Records, MovieBox | Sangtar | Sukhpal Aujla |
| 2012 | "Google Te" (feat. Sangtar) | Plasma Records, MovieBox | Sangtar | Sukhpal Aujla |
| 2013 | "Ik Bulla" | Plasma Records, MovieBox | Sangtar | Davinder Khannewala |
| 2013 | "Tuttda Gia" | Plasma Records, MovieBox | Sangtar | Sukhpal Aujla |
| 2015 | Desi Disc [5] | Plasma Records, MovieBox | Beat Minister | Mushtak Alam Goga |
| 2015 | "Tera Hero" | Plasma Records, MovieBox | Beat Minister | Kundha Singh Dhaliwal |
| 2018 | Ticketan | Plasma Records, MovieBox | Sangtar | Mangal Hathur |
Collaborative singles
| Year | Song | Record label | Music | Lyrics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Beja Sadi Cab 'ch" (with Manmohan Waris) | Plasma Records, MovieBox | Sangtar | Sukhpal Aujla |
| 2012 | "Baba Bore Ho Gia" (with Manmohan Waris and Sangtar) | Plasma Records, MovieBox | Sangtar | Sukhpal Aujla |
| 2012 | "Club Wich" (with DNA) | Plasma Records, MovieBox | DNA | Preet Sanghreri |
| 2013 | "Raavi Te Jhanan Diyan Chhalla" (with Manmohan Waris) | T-Series | Sangtar | Dr. Surjit Pattar |
| 2013 | "Dukh Sukh" (with Manmohan Waris) | Plasma Records, MovieBox | Sangtar | Kundha Singh Dhaliwal |
Videography
| Release | DVD | Record label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2003 | Shaunki Mela 2003-Surrey Live | Plasma Records | Recorded live in Surrey. Special tribute concert to Dhadi Amar Singh Shaunki. With Manmohan Waris, Gurpreet Ghuggi and Sangtar. |
| July 2004 | Plasma Framed Vol. 1 | Plasma Records | Videos, with Manmohan Waris |
| October 2004 | Punjabi Virsa 2004-Wonderland Live | Plasma Records/Kiss Records | Recorded live in Toronto with Manmohan Waris and Sangtar |
| November 2005 | Punjabi Virsa 2005-London Live | Plasma Records/Kiss Records | Recorded live in London with Manmohan Waris and Sangtar |
| 2006 | Punjabi Virsa Behind The Scenes | Plasma Records | Making of the whole Punjabi Virsa tour, with Manmohan Waris and Sangtar |
| December 2006 | Punjabi Virsa 2006-Toronto Live | Plasma Records/Kiss RecordS | Recorded live in Toronto with Manmohan Waris and Sangtar |
| February 2009 | Punjabi Virsa 2008 Vancouver Live | Plasma Records | Recorded live in Vancouver with Manmohan Waris and Sangtar |
Live performances
Concerts and tours
In August 2003 he appeared at Shaunki Mela 2003, a Special Tribute Concert for Dhadi Amar Singh Shaunki, with his two brothers and Gurpreet Ghuggi.
The three brothers tour every year
- Punjabi Virsa 2004
- Punjabi Virsa 2005
- Punjabi Virsa 2006
- Punjabi Virsa 2007
- Punjabi Virsa 2008
- Punjabi Virsa 2009
- Punjabi Virsa 2010
- Punjabi Virsa 2011
- Punjabi Virsa 2012
- Punjabi Virsa 2014
- Punjabi Virsa 2014
- Punjabi Virsa 2015
- Punjabi Virsa 2016
- Punjabi Virsa 2017
Other
| Date | Performance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Parbat Ali Vijay Diwas | Special concert for the Indian Armed Forces, with Manmohan Waris |
| 21 March 2009 | 2009 Punjabi Music Awards | Performed during the awards |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Category | For | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Album of the Year | Punjabi Virsa 2006 | Won[4] |
| 2009 | Best Folk Pop Vocalist | Hathiyar Na Chalaiye | Lost |
| 2009 | Best Folk Pop Album | Moti Chun Ke | Lost |
| 2010 | Best Non Resident Punjabi Vocalist | Jinday Ni Jinday | Won |
| 2010 | Best Non Resident Punjabi Vocalist | Punjabi Virsa Vancouver Live | Lost |
| 2010 | Best Folk Oriented Album | Punjabi Virsa Vancouver Live | Won |
| 2010 | Best Dual Vocalists | Vasde Raho Pardesio (with Manmohan Waris and Sangtar) | Lost |
| 2010 | Best Non Resident Punjabi Album | Punjabi Virsa Vancouver Live | Lost[6][7] |
References
- "Punjabi Virsa 2015". iTunes. 23 January 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
- "Punjabi Virsa 2016". iTunes. 25 January 2007.
- "Plasma Records - Official Site".
- "Audio & Video :: Plasma Records :: Manmohan Waris, Kamal Heer & Sangtar". www.plasmarecords.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- "Desi Disc Official Song". Plasma Records. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021.
- "HOW TO REGISTER YOUR VOTE". Archived from the original on 13 May 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
- "PTC Music Awards 2010". Archived from the original on 23 February 2010. Retrieved 8 March 2010.