| Mohideen Baig | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Mohideen Baig |
| Born | December 5, 1919 |
| Origin | Indian |
| Died | November 4, 1991 |
| Genres | Sri Lankan music |
| Occupations | Singer |
| Years active | 1934 – 1991 |
Mohideen Baig (1919–1991) was a popular Sri Lankan musician. He was a Muslim who moved to Sri Lanka from Salem in Tamil Nadu, India.[1] Beg's son, Ishak is also a singer but not that popular in Srilanka like his father was.[2] Baig has dueted with H. R. Jothipala, G.S.B. Rani Perera, Latha Walpola, Sujatha Attanayake and Jamuna Rani among others. He was also the only Sri Lankan to duet with Lata Mangeshkar.
Even though he was not a Buddhist, Baig sang a lot of Buddhist related songs. Because of his nature to support other cultures, he was one of the most influential multicultural/"multi-religious" figures in the Sri Lankan art history.
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Baig was born in India and moved to Sri Lanka in 1932. Baig recorded his first song 'Karuna Muhude Namu Gileela' as a duet with K. K. Rajaluckshmi in 1934. He debuted as a playback singer in 1947 on the second Sri Lankan film Ashokamala.[3]
Baig achieved fame singing songs like "Buddhang Saranang," "Maya," "Girihel Mudune," "Adara Nadiya Gala," "Pem Mal Mala," "Wella Simbina Rella," "Anna Sudo," "Thaniwai Upanne," and "Loke Sihinayak Wageya." In 1956 S.W.R.D. Bandaranayake gave him a "distinguished citizenship." Baig's popularity led to appearances at distinguished events like the first Independence Day Ceremony and the 1974 Non-Aligned Summit.[3]
Baig won the Kalashoori Award in 1983 and 1987.[3]