At a time when Punjabi songs are travelling further than ever, Gurdas Maan believes their greatest strength lies in remembering where they come from. The veteran singer, whose music has found listeners across generations, is in no hurry to chase the next viral hit. With his latest EP, Khush Qainaat, he returns to a subject that has been central to his songwriting for decades — love. In a chat with mid-day, Maan discusses the ever-changing shades of love, the growing influence of Punjabi music worldwide, and why artistes must know when not to compromise.
 
Excerpts from the interview.

After decades of writing about love, how have you captured it in Khush Qainaat?
Love is something you continue to understand throughout your life. When you are young, love is about excitement, longing, and the desire to be with someone. As you grow older, you begin to understand that it is also about patience and standing by someone through life’s different seasons. Music allows us to revisit these emotions at every stage of life. Whether it is the playful romance of Maaye Ni Munda Eho Chahide or the sentiment of Khush Qainaat, love has many shades.