Vairian De Bakkre by Himmat Sandhu, Mani Longia

Himmat Sandhu, Mani Longia has delivered memorable performances before, but Vairian De Bakkre sits comfortably among the very best. The music, composed by Mani Longia, carries the song forward with a confidence that matches the performance.

There are singers who perform songs and singers who live inside them. On Vairian De Bakkre, Himmat Sandhu, Mani Longia clearly belongs in the second group. Hearing Vairian De Bakkre without thinking of a talented ensemble cast is almost impossible for anyone who has seen Vairian De Bakkre.

2024 was a strong year for Punjabi music, and Vairian De Bakkre was among the reasons why. It is the kind of track that works at full volume with friends and equally well in a quiet room alone — the mood adjusts without the song changing.

Running to 2:54, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. It is, at the end of it, a very good song — and sometimes that is the only explanation that matters.