Diary of a Sufi

Mona

With a global fan-following, singer Satinder Sartaaj has his exclusive set of listeners who are a fan of his deep poetry, melodious voice and profound take on life. This singer is an actor too — as goes the Pollywood norm — but, interestingly, this PhD from Panjab University in Sufi music, debuted as an actor in Hollywood movie The Black Prince before any Hindi or Punjabi film. Three years on, he will be on the silver screen once again, this time in Punjabi film Ikko Mikke.

What took so long?

I am a poet, a singer first, not an actor or filmmaker. It’s on the stage that my true passion lies. For The Black Prince, I was away from stage for two years and, ever since, I have been giving my all to music, although have been reading scripts in between. After reading a number of them, I came across Ikko Mikke and I knew I had to do it. It’s as much a story with heart and soul as a social commentary. I am hoping it touches hearts.

A way of life

I have spent years researching about Sufism; it is a lot of things — singing, love for the Almighty; to surrender, to feel other’s pain as your own, but most of all to get a feel of that sublime energy. I wrote a 563-page thesis, which is so tough to explain in a few words, but in a nutshell it’s one’s complete surrender, devotion to your beloved. I am not for just writing, singing Sufi songs, but trying to embrace this way of life; guess I am on the right path.

Clarity of thought

I feel very fortunate to be creating the kind of content that I am, but that’s not denying popular music its rightful place. The peppy numbers sure give one a high, but as much as we take it as entertainment, the same might not be true for adolescents. They want to imitate their idols, own a weapon and then it goes off too! The repercussions – one mother loses her son, another’s goes to jail, which is rather heart-breaking. I see solution in people accepting good music; when meaningful melodies will be a hit, makers would make more of it.

Royal feel

Ikko Mikke is a love story, a family drama; anyone who is in love would relate to it. Soon after the release on March 13, I would be heading to London to perform at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall for the second time. I feel privileged to have started as a poet from Punjab and to have the honour of performing at Sydney Opera House, and get another chance at Royal Albert Hall, which has been there from the 1890s, right from the time when Maharaja Duleep Singh was alive. I feel that special connection.

Then I have a trip to Canada — Punjabis in Canada first accepted and honoured me at the start of my career.

mona@tribunmail.com

Back to old days

The film Ikko Mikke has been shot in Chandigarh; Panjab University and Sukhna Lake make for the backdrop of its title song. Ask Satinder Sartaaj on how it was to get back to the university for the shoot and he says, “Panjab University is my favourite place on Earth, I still go there. Nostalgia hit me like anything – the cherished memories of friends at Student Centre, and then walks on the Sukhna Lake — singing as a budding artiste among a bunch of friends — all too special.”