He was very much interested in folk music from his childhood and learned it from Sant Baba Maan Singh of
Sialkot. At first he sang under last name
Mast but as started singing with
Dhadd and
Sarangi and made a team with Sarwan Singh and Mohan Singh Binda, he fixed
Shaunki as his last name. The main themes of his songs evokes the culture and folk of
Punjab. He sang about every color of Punjabi folk. The main themes of his songs were the evergreen folk stories of Punjab like
Heer Ranjha,
Mirza Sahiban,
Sassui Punnhun,
Rani Sundran and
Pooran Bhagat, heroes of
Sikh history likes
Hari Singh Nalwa, the
Sikh masters and other freedom fighters. He wrote songs on various topics including the four tragic love stories of
Punjab,
Sikh history like
Saka Sirhind and Sikh heroes. Many Punjabi singers today, including
Manmohan Waris and
Kamal Heer sings songs written by him. ==Discography==