A Sufi at heart

Mona

His compositions are innumerable and so are his afsanas. And poet-singer Satinder Sartaaj is sparing no effort to take his work to his fans. Carrying his diary all over, penning down as a couplet strikes him, in between stage shows and performances sneaking into the studio and recording with rather bare music and then painstakingly sitting down to pen the lyrics; translate, interpret it in English in order to reach out to more and more...is what Sartaaj loves! His latest offering before he embarks on a longish US tour is — Hamza A Sufiana Ecstasy.

Not just another album; it’s a collector’s little booklet with seven Sufi numbers; the lyrics in Punjabi and Roman English and also the artiste’s interpretation. In the times of singles, wherein most release one song and aim to gather millions of hits, why and how Sartaaj takes out album after album? He answers soon after the release of Hamza in Chandigarh on Tuesday and shares more.

The story

There is a little story behind Hamza. Knowing well that mind has conscious and sub-conscious levels, Sartaj tried to delve deeper. Amongst the many thoughts that came to his mind, one was Hamza along with some 30 other words. He scribbled in that state and when he consciously sat down, he could put them into the form a poem:

O Hamza! Haq Haqooq Waseela, Makhamal Soot Shateeri Teela,

Gumbad Gardish Ambar Neela ikko haandey! Aas Ummeed atey Itbar,

Pippal sarhey Narmada paar, Malki dard, Karachi Yaar, tusi’n nayi’n jaandey!

…referring to the Almighty as the ultimate truth and everything in the world being lighted by his grace!

With Hamza in, next was selection of six other numbers and recording in a jiffy. “Hamza is a tribute to all Sufi lovers, others who listen and enjoy is my bonanza,” says Sartaaj explaining what Hamza actually means: “In Arabic, it’s a sign that enhances sound of the word and means brave and true. In my writing, Hamza for me is one who enhances the ecstasy of Sufism.

Satisfied approach

The other numbers in the album are again reaffirming one’s faith in the Almighty – Bahuta Sochi Na, Din Veervaar De, Pind Mud Challiye, Ambron’n Paar, Hun Sochda’n and Jazbe. While Sartaaj has earlier put rather commercial numbers in his albums, this remains Sufi in emotion throughout. The songs invoke love and brotherhood, and the value of satisfaction in life. “In fact, I want to do an album that’s called Satisfaction,” says Sartaaj, who finds true happiness in touching the heart and soul.

Show time

Yes, this singer too is following his compatriots’ footsteps and due to appear on silver screen this October with The Black Prince, where he plays the lead role portraying the last King of Punjab — Maharaja Duleep Singh, son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. In the film directed by LA-based filmmaker Kavi Raz, Shabana Azmi plays the role of his mother. Though Sartaaj would rather talk about the film when it nears release, he cannot hold back the excitement of working with Shabana. “In my very first film I got to work with a legend.”

First love

Back to music — his first love. In a scenario where alcohol and objectifying women rule the roost, Sartaaj is sticking to his chosen path. “I might just be standing on the side-lanes but I am happy here. I follow my heart and write what I feel and even if I am able to reach a few youngsters, I will feel blessed.” Sartaaj already has plans to release another album by January 1 next year. “There is so much that I have with me, just 10 songs a year would not be enough; I want to share more and more,” says Sartaaj, dressed as impeccably as ever in purple kurta-salwar and pink turban.

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