Hans Raj Hans returns to music after 12-year politics gap with 'Ohdiyan Khedaan'
Synopsis
After more than a decade in politics — spanning three parties and a parliamentary stint — Padma Shri singer Hans Raj Hans is back in the studio. It took a nudge from lyricist friend Sanjeev Anand to convince him that audiences still wanted his voice. The result is 'Ohdiyan Khedaan', a song he describes as carrying the deeper essence of life.
Key Takeaways
Hans Raj Hans has released a new song, ‘Ohdiyan Khedaan’ , ending a music hiatus of more than 12 years .
The track is written by Sanjeev Anand , composed by Amdad Ali , and released on the Anand Records label.
Hans Raj Hans said friend Sanjeev Anand persuaded him to return, telling him the public still wanted to hear his songs.
The singer described the track as carrying a deeper philosophical essence despite not being explicitly spiritual.
His political career spanned SAD , INC , and BJP ; he served as a Member of Parliament and made his electoral debut in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections from Jalandhar .
Hans Raj Hans, the Padma Shri-winning singer-turned-politician, has made a long-awaited return to music after a hiatus of more than 12 years, releasing a new track titled 'Ohdiyan Khedaan'. The veteran Punjabi artist credits the persistent encouragement of close friends for pulling him back into the recording studio.
Why He Stepped Away
Hans Raj Hans explained that his entry into electoral politics effectively drew him away from his music career. “I got diverted. I left the show business and went towards the service of nature, which is called politics. Then there was a gap of 12–13 years,” he said. The singer had briefly considered retiring from public life altogether before a friend intervened.
The Friend Who Changed His Mind
According to Hans Raj Hans, it was his friend and lyricist Sanjeev Anand who persuaded him to reconnect with his audience. “My friend, Sanjeev Anand, said that people want to listen to your songs. I said that I sing every day. They said that I should go to the public. So, I released my new song ‘Ohdiyan Khedaan’ as a presentation,” he recalled. The track is written by Sanjeev Anand, composed by Amdad Ali, and released under the Anand Records label.
The Song and Its Essence
Hans Raj Hans described 'Ohdiyan Khedaan' as a meaningful vehicle for expressing his emotions and inner thoughts. While the song is rooted in music rather than spirituality, he noted that listeners will sense a deeper philosophical undertone running through it. “Although the song is connected to music and not directly spiritual, it carries a deeper thought and essence of life,” he said.
A Career Spanning Music and Politics
Hans Raj Hans built his reputation on beloved tracks such as ‘Dil Tote Tote Ho Gaya’, ‘Dil Chori Sada Ho Gaya’, ‘Nit Khair Manga’, and ‘Sili Sili Hawa’. His political journey has been equally eventful, spanning three major parties — the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the Indian National Congress (INC), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He has served as a Member of Parliament. His electoral debut came in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, when he contested from the Jalandhar constituency in Punjab on an SAD ticket, though he was defeated in that contest.
With 'Ohdiyan Khedaan' now out, fans and music industry observers will be watching closely to see whether the veteran artist sustains his musical comeback or whether this remains a one-off return.
Point of View
And the fact that his return rests on a single song released under a friend’s label — rather than a major label push — suggests this is a personal project rather than a calculated industry comeback. The more interesting story is the political arc: three parties over roughly a decade raises questions about ideological consistency that his music, with its reputation for devotional depth, never had to answer. Whether ‘Ohdiyan Khedaan’ reconnects him with the Punjabi music mainstream or remains a nostalgic footnote will depend on whether the industry and streaming platforms give it the reach his earlier hits enjoyed organically.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Hans Raj Hans stop singing for over a decade?
Hans Raj Hans stepped away from music to pursue electoral politics, a shift he described as moving toward ‘the service of nature.’ The transition resulted in a gap of 12 to 13 years during which he was not releasing music publicly.
What is Hans Raj Hans’s new song 'Ohdiyan Khedaan' about?
'Ohdiyan Khedaan' is a new track written by lyricist Sanjeev Anand and composed by Amdad Ali, released under the Anand Records label. Hans Raj Hans has described it as carrying a deeper philosophical essence of life, with a subtle spiritual undertone despite not being an explicitly devotional song.
Who convinced Hans Raj Hans to return to music?
Lyricist and friend Sanjeev Anand played a key role, telling Hans Raj Hans that the public still wanted to hear his songs. Hans Raj Hans had been considering retiring from all public work before Anand encouraged him to release new music.
Which political parties has Hans Raj Hans been associated with?
Hans Raj Hans has been associated with three major parties over his political career: the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the Indian National Congress (INC), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He has also served as a Member of Parliament.
What are Hans Raj Hans’s most famous songs?
Hans Raj Hans is best known for tracks including ‘Dil Tote Tote Ho Gaya,’ ‘Dil Chori Sada Ho Gaya,’ ‘Nit Khair Manga,’ and ‘Sili Sili Hawa.’ He is a Padma Shri recipient and one of the most recognised voices in Punjabi music.
