Flowers

By Vaivasvat Venkat, *Sartaaj rules over people's hearts* - The Times Of India - India
Sunday, August 2, 2009

Ludhiana: Saturday night became a delight for Punjabi music lovers, intellectuals and people from different walks of life, as emerging Punjabi singer Satinder Sartaaj left the august gathering in the jam-packed hall of Guru Nanak Bhavan mesmerized with his Punjabi poetry delved into Sufi music.

A bouquet of his self-written and composed 'nazams' (poetic composition) enriched with various experiences of his life, ranging from flowers in the fields of his village to the time spent in Punjab University, Chandigarh, and other stages of his life, had people sway their heads to the music.

Sartaaj, who has attained a doctorate degree in Sufi music and teaches postgraduate classes at PU, started his interaction by reciting 'Si harfi' - a forgotten part of Persian tradition where 30 'shers' on the same number of alphabets are recited. It was the invocation of the almighty in the form of a song 'Sai Meri Fariyad Tere Tain' which marked the beginning of the Mehfil-e-Sartaaj.

After this rendition, there was hardly any pause and Sartaaj gave a non-stop performance of various nazams, including Motia, Chameli, Bela, Ketaki, Ful Tara Meera and Saron Te Falain De Tere Layee Hee Khetan Ch Ugayee De, saying that it was his tribute to all flowers that grow near fields and have escaped the eyes of the poets till now.

No less enchanting were numbers like 'Main Parson Amb Te Baithiyan Chiriyan Bula Layian' (I talked to sparrows sitting on a mango tree and then talked to them like a bird itself).

The entire audience was left spellbound by his performance as he made them sing along with him. He also sang some numbers requested by some in the gathering.

His songs, related to life in the university, could not stop college students and youngsters from PU to dance to them. One such number was -- "Pyar Toldi Kataban Rehndi Foldi Te Sade Naal Gal Na Kare. Adhi Kick Te Start Mera Yamaha Nee Hor Das Kee Bhaldi."

What is amazing about this young artiste, who is yet to release his album but has gained popularity, is that he has already been declared the torch-bearer of the rich tradition of Punjabi culture. Sartaaj has also performed in 32 stage shows in countries, including Canada and Dubai. The clippings of his songs can be seen all over the net and are a hit with people.

The event was organized under the auspices of the Alive Artist Group, Prof. Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation, Punjabi Sabhyachar Academy, Sobha Singh Memorial Foundation and Sabhyacharak Sath Punjab.

DC Vikas Garg, SSP Dr. Sukhchain Singh Gill and eminent writers like Dev Threekian Wala and Gurbhajan Gill were also present on the occasion.