Introduction
Kamal Heer (born Kamaljeet Singh Heer) is a Punjabi 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.
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 releasedtwo 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"
Masti Three
- 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"
Jinday Ni Jinday
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Released:2011
- Format:DVD and CD
- Label:Plasma Records, MovieBOX
- Producer:Sangtar
- Tracks: 45
Punjabi Virsa 2013
- Released:2013
- Format:DVD and CD
- Label:Plasma Records, MovieBOX
- Producer:Sangtar
- Tracks: 43
Punjabi Virsa 2014
- Released:2014
- Format:DVD and CD
- Label:Plasma Records, MovieBOX
- Producer:Sangtar
- Tracks: 39
Punjabi Virsa 2015
- Released:2015
- Format:DVD and CD
- Label:Plasma Records, MovieBOX
- Producer:Sangtar
- Tracks: 22
Punjabi Virsa 2016
- Released:13 April, 2017
- Format:DVD and CD
- Label:Plasma Records
- Producer:Sangtar
- Tracks: 18
Punjabi Virsa 2017
- Released:2018
- Format:DVD and CD
- Label:Plasma Records
- 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
- 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
- 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 | ||
| Roz Ladna | ||
| Hathiar Na Chalaiye | ||
| Sharab Chon Disen | ||
| Moti Chunke | ||
| Majhay Diye Kudiye | ||
| 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 | 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" | Plasma Records, MovieBox | Sangtar | Sukhpal Aujla |
| 2012 | "Baba Bore Ho Gia" | Plasma Records, MovieBox | Sangtar | Sukhpal Aujla |
| 2012 | "Club Wich" | Plasma Records, MovieBox | DNA | |
| 2013 | "Raavi Te Jhanan Diyan Chhalla" | T-Series | Sangtar | Dr. Surjit Pattar |
| 2013 | "Dukh Sukh" | 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 |
| 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 |