MUMBAI: Legendary Punjabi folk singer Kuldeep Manak passed away due to Pneumonia on Wednesday at local hospital in Ludhiana. The funeral will be held in his hometown Jalal in Bathinda, today.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal expressed his grief over the loss of folk legend. In a condolence message, the Chief Minister said, ...Kuldeep Manak was a legendary Punjabi Folk singer with the qualities of head and heart, who regaled the millions of Punjabi music lovers with his emotionally powerful high pitched voice and unique style for about four decades. Manak's death has created a void in the Punjabi music world which was difficult to be filled....

Manak 62, illustrious career in music began in 1968 when he sang alongside famed vocalist Seema. He is credited for popularising the traditional Punjabi songs called kaliyan and has recored over 25 albums and countless songs. Manak is the voice behind hits songs like �Tere Tilley Ton', �Chheti Kar Sarwan Bachcha' and �Garh Mughlane Dian Naaran'.

Manak's final collaboration was with Jazzy B on his album Maharajas. Speaking on the sad demise Jazzy B said, "Kuldeep Manak was a strong pillar of Punjabi music industry, and to me, a father figure. Whatever I am today is all because of him. His demise has left a void in our lives."

Manak was a member of musical family - caste of entertainers, known as Marasis. His ancestors were the hazoori raagis of Sikh religious songs for Maharaja Hira Singh of Nabha, one of the Phulkian states in the Punjab.