Kalashuri Mohideen Baig’s 97th birth anniversary

By Ruzaik Farook

Kalashuri Mohideen Baig’s 97th birth anniversary falls today, 5 December.

Baig was born in the Salem District of India on 5 December 1919. Baig was a well-known popular Sri Lankan musician throughout country. He sang in Sinhala, Tamil, Islamic and Urdu. Baig has sung duets with H.R. Jothipala, Rani Perera, Latha Walpola, Sujatha Attanayake and Jamuna Rani among others. Baig sang a lot of Buddhism themed songs also and has sung well over 6,000 film songs.

Baig won the 1967 Sarasaviya Award for the Best Playback Singer for his singing in the film Allapu Gedera. Baig also won the Kalashoori Award in 1983 and 1987.

He achieved fame singing songs like Buddhang Saranang, Maya, Adara Nadiya Gala, Pem Mal Mala, Thaniwai Upanne, and Loke Sihinayak Wageya.

Baig was trained by a family member of the famous Urdu singer Sheik Ameer and Sheik Fareed.

He was a confident artist and was spotted by late Prof. Mohamed Ghouse who trained many leading singers. He was liked and appreciated by all communities and awarded the title of Kalashuri by late President Ranasinghe Premadasa.

Baig’s sons, Ishak Baig, Illyas Baig and daughter Mueena Baig are also singers.

He died at the age of 72 on 4 November 1991. With his passing, the country lost a great singer.