Manpreet Akhtar Biography 
Manpreet Akhtar was a noted Punjabi folk singer known for her classical style of singing. She has also rendered her voice for a few Hindi and Punjabi films. 'Beriye ni', 'Nikdi sui' and 'Bas ek gera gidhe vich' are some of her Punjabi film songs. For Bollywood music lovers, Manpreet Akhtar is best remembered for the heartbreaking song, ‘Tujhe yaad na meri aayi Kise se ab kya kehna’ of Hindi Blockbuster ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ (1998) starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukherji. Noted Punjabi singer - Dilshad Akhtar who was killed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police was her brother. Her cousin Sandeep Akhtar was also a singer who died in 2011. Manpreet too became a victim of early death. She was only 55 when she died on 18th January 2016.
This accomplished folk singer was born in Mukhtazar, Punjab. She took formal learning in Hindustani music from Ustad Krishankant Sharma of Barjindra Government College, Faridkot. However she was a late entry to playback singing and folk singing. She started her professional music career in the middle ages, at the age of 35. It was following her brother’s unfortunate death in 1995, Manpreet came forward as a torch bearer of music for her family. She was persuaded by many singers to take music as profession then. She served as a music teacher at Government Music College, Patiala. She earlier worked in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya.
She shot to fame nationwide after singing the popular track - ‘Tujhe yaad na meri aayi’ of Blockbuster ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ in 1998. Yet she was associated with Punjabi folk and film music most and has given some memorable songs like 'Beriye ni', 'Nikdi sui' and 'Bas ek gera gidhe vich'. She passed away on 18th January 2016 at a private hospital at Patiala. She was suffering from a cardio vascular related illness. She was born into a musical family of Punjabi singers. Her father Keere Khan Shaukin and her maternal uncle Sabar Hussain Sabar were considered the pillars of Punjabi gayaki. Her brother and cousins too were singers.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 28, 2016
