Punjabi singer Gurdas Maan opens up about tragic car accident and loss of friend ‘Meri Jab Aankhein Khuli…’

Popular Punjabi singer Gurdas Maan is the talk of the town as he released his latest album Sound of Soil. While promoting the album, Gurdas Maan entertained his fans with several anecdotes and stories. However, in a recent interview with Mashable India, he recalled a tragic car accident and shared his personal story of loss. He recalled that Tejpal, his driver and friend, had asked him to fasten his seatbelt before the accident.

Gurdas Maan described a horrific incident while returning from a Lohri program ‘Maan Hi Maan’ at Punjab University. He should do darshan Sai Ji. The singer recalled that his wife was suffering from migraines and told him she could not accompany him and suggested he go with Tejpal instead.

Narrating the tragic story, Gurdas Maan said he was in a sleepy state: “Hum jab gaadi me baithe, mujhe neend bhi aa rahi hai aur maine paath bhi karna hai. Main paath card card, beech mein neend aajaati, jhatka lagta tha. Toh fir mai paresaan hogya. Maine kaha yaar ‘Tejpal mujhe neend aa rahi aur mujhe paath bhi karna hai aur mai beech me soo hi jau toh mujhe maaf karna.’ Kehta ‘Paaji ek kaam karo aap Belt laga lo’. Pehli baar main aage baitha hoon, nahi toh mai peeche baitha hoon. Aur usne meri Belt lagwa di. (When I sit in the car, I feel sleepy and I also need to chant. While I was chanting, I used to fall asleep and get bumped. Then I got worried. I said to my friend, “Tejpal, I feel sleepy and I am I have to sing too, and if I sleep in between then please forgive me.” He says, “Paaji, do one, fasten your seatbelt.” and he made me put on the belt.)

Explaining the incident, he said: “Kurali seer hai, waha jaake accident hua. Koi pata nhi hai, I need you. Our accident kab ho gaya kis tarah ho gaya koi pata nhi hai, main soya hoon. Maine dekha hi nahi, kuch bhi pata nahi (The accident happened in Kurali city. I don’t know, I was sleeping. I don’t know when and how the accident happened. I was sleeping. I didn’t see it, I don’t know anything).”

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Gurdas Maan on seeing a friend’s dead body

The singer recalled feeling the weight of driver Tejpal’s broken hand on his shoulders during the accident. He mentioned that after the accident he was drowsy and drowsy when people pulled him out of the car and when he regained consciousness he saw Tejpal’s body.

Gurdas Maan said: “Jab main neeche dekha, toh Tejpal ki laas padi hui thi. Maine kaha mujhe thodi der baithne do. Mai waha khade hoke, usko salute karke chal diya (When I looked down, Tejpal’s body was lying there. I said let me sit for a while. I got up, saluted him and left).”

He also mentioned that he wrote a song in memory of his friend after the fatal accident.

Sharing the meaning of the line, he said, “Jab meri aankhein khuli aur wo jo khumaari thi utar gayi, baithi mere naal sawari utar gayi (When I opened my eyes, the rush disappeared. The passenger sitting next to me disappeared.)

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