Kuldeep Manak was born in the village of Jalal in the Bathinda district. His father, Nikka Khan, was a singer himself. Manak has two brothers: Siddqui, a devotional singer, and Rafiq, a tantric, who also hit the headlines for a while. Kuldeep Manak's ancestors were the hazoori raagis (designated cantors) of Kirtan for Maharaja Hira Singh of Nabha (Nabha). He studied under Ustad Kushi Mohammad Qawwal of Ferozepur. Manak later converted to Sikhism and he keeps a Guru Granth Sahib saroop in his home.
Manak left Bhathinda and went to Ludhiana to pursue his career as a singer. He started singing with the duo Harcharan Grewal and Seema. When they came to Delhi, a music company official spotted Manak and asked him to record the song Jija Akhian Na Maar Vemain Kal Di Kuri (written by Babu Singh Maan Mararawale) with Seema. His first record features this song along with Laung Karaa Mitran, Machli Paunge Maape (written by Gurdev Singh Mann). This record was a runaway success.
He started an office at Bhatinda along with writer Dilip Singh Sidhu, but did not stay there for long and returned to Ludhiana. The writer Hardev Dilgir (also known as Dev Thrikewala) spotted Manak at one of his live performances and penned Lok Gathava (English: Old Stories) for him.
His first album, Teri Khatir Heere, was released by HMV. In 1976 his first LP was released called Ek tara. It included the songs Tere Tilley Ton, Chheti Kar Sarwan Bachaa and Ghar Mughlan Deeyan Naara. Further albums included Saahibaan Da Tarla (1978), Ichharan Dhaahaan Mardee and Saahibaan Bani Bhraawaan Dee (1978). Many singers in Punjab take care in what they eat, be it hot, cold or pickle, Manak keeps an attitude of eat what you get and eats any type of pickle. Manak also tried to run as a member of parliament in Punjab and did not win.
The self proclaimed Crown Prince of Bhangra, Jazzy B said in the track "Jadu (Rambo)": "Mein Manak Da Chela, Das Toon Aal Dawaale Nu, Meri Umar Vi Lagjey Jandu Littranwale Nu". "I am Manak's disciple (he is my Ustaad/Guru/Teacher), tell everyone and everything I hope that Jandu Littranwala (Lyricist) lives with my age added onto his (Paying homage)."
Jazzy B is a huge fan of Kuldeep Manak as are many other Punjabi artists, fans and admirers. Gurdas Mann paid tribute to Kuldeep Manak in his song "Pind Diyan Galiyan" with line "Manak hadd muka gaya naviyaan kaliyaan di.." roughly translated to "Kuldeep Manak broke all limits of traditional Punjabi kali."
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