RUZAIK FAROOK
COLOMBO — Kalashuri Mohideen Baig was born in the Salem District of India on 5th December 1919. He arrived in Sri Lanka when he was 13 after his elder brother, who was a policeman in Ceylon passed away.
Baig was a well-known popular Sri Lankan musician throughout the country. Baig had a special place in Sri Lankan music because he is the most famous singer of Buddhist devotional songs. 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 had 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 such as Buddham Saranam Gacchaami, 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.
Mohideen Baigs commemorative stamp was released on 20th February 2020 by the Philatelic Bureau of Postal Department and It was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
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.
