Sardul Singh Kwatra Biography 
Sardul Singh Kwatra was one of the earliest music composers of Hindi and Punjabi films, known for soulful music. He predominantly worked in Punjabi cinema, apart from a few Hindi films. He composed music for around 25 Punjabi films and 6 Hindi movies. Born and brought up in Lahore, he moved to India following partition, where he continued with his music journey. In the mid-1970s, he established the Chandigarh Film Institute. He spent his last years in US and passed away in 2005. This talented musician is known for simplifying Hindustani ragas to soulful film songs. A colourful person in real life, his friends called him a ‘ladies’ man’ and he was known to be romantic.
Sardul Singh Kwatra was born into a Sikh family in Lahore in 1928. Since young he fondly loved music and got initial training from Sardar Avtar Singh of Lahore. Later he entered film industry and worked as an assistant to famous music director, Hansraj Behl. His love with a Muslim girl deeply influenced him in his music journey and Sardul was known to be romantic then. Many of his compositions were inspired by her beauty and charismatic personality. In 1947 he left Lahore and came to Mumbai, where he joined the film scene.
Punjabi film, Posti (1950) marked his debut as a music composer. His family also financed for the movie. The music was a hit and it also received rave reviews from critics. He successfully reused many of the folk songs of Punjab for filmy music and also introduced Asha Bhosle and Jagjit Kaur to Punjabi music through Posti. "Do guttan kar mariyan, Kajle di paaniyan" and "Jaa bhairha Posti" became very popular. It was followed by the evergreen songs of Kaude Shah. Since then he successfully composed music for more than 25 Punjabi movies. Goonj and Mirza Sahiban were among his popular compositions from Hindi music.
Published: N/A
Updated: March 20, 2016
