Satinder Sartaaj

Satinder Sartaaj is an acclaimed Indian singer-songwriter, poet, and actor from Punjab, widely recognized for blending Punjabi folk music with Sufi poetry.

Born Satinder Pal Singh Saini on August 31, 1982 (some sources cite May 31, 1982), in the village of Bajrawar in the Hoshiarpur district of Punjab, he grew up in a family of farmers and was drawn to music from early childhood.

His nickname originated from a song he composed spontaneously at 3 a.m. while unable to sleep in his hostel; the song's final lines were “tere sir tareya da taaj ve,” and “Sartaaj” (meaning “crown of the stars”) became his enduring artistic identity.

He pursued music academically with exceptional dedication, completing a graduation in Music (Honours) from Government College Hoshiarpur, a five-year diploma in Classical Music from Sangeet Vishard, an M.Phil. in Sufi Music, and a PhD specializing in Sufi singing from Panjab University in Chandigarh.

He also earned a certificate and diploma in Persian language to better fuse languages in his lyrics. Before his musical breakthrough, he taught music at Panjab University for six years.

He made his official musical debut in 2009 with the album “Tere Qurban” and gained worldwide popularity in 2010 with his hit single “Sai,” whose soulful Sufi composition resonated across borders. His notable discography includes albums such as “Cheerey Wala Sartaaj,” “Rangrez – The Poet of Colors,” and “Hazaarey Wala Munda,” along with popular singles like “Udaarian,” “Ikko Mikke,” and “Jaiye”. His music has earned him over 1 million listeners on Spotify, with “Sai” receiving more than 28 million plays.

In addition to music, he ventured into acting with his film debut in the 2017 historical drama “The Black Prince,” an American film industry biopic. He later appeared in Punjabi films including “Ikko Mikke” (2020) and “Kali Jotta” (2022). He is also recognized as a poetry writer and has been called “Gurmukhi ka rakshak” (protector of Gurmukhi) for his efforts in preserving and promoting Punjabi linguistic and cultural heritage.

Satinder Sartaaj has performed at venues worldwide and is considered one of the most popular folk singers emerging from Punjab in recent years.

His award accolades include the Best Sufi Singer Award at the Dubai International Cultural Festival, the Youth Icon Award at Rotary Club Chandigarh, the title of Punjab Heritage Foundation (Patiala), and the Brit Asian Music Award (BAMA) in 2011. He married Goori in 2010 and continues to be celebrated for his meaningful, socially conscious lyrics that carry messages for societal well-being.