Sangtar was born in the small Punjabi village of Halluwal. Just like his older and younger brothers (Manmohan Waris and Kamal Heer), he began a love for music and literature from a very early age. Their father Dilbag Singh, who is also a poet, has keen interest in literature and music. The music and words Sangtar heard from a very young age influenced him. Some of his songs we hear today he had written when he was 14 years old. His formal music training started at the age of 9.
Sangtar got his primary and secondary school education from schools in Halluwal and Mahilpur. He then went to Khalsa College, Mahilpur. At this age his music talent surpassed many music teachers so he was given the job to actively take part in preparing the college music teams for the various youth festivals. He received many medals and trophies for his college. He also played classical flute at many festivals and competitions throughout his college years.
Songs written
- "Gidhe Vich Nachdi"
- "Lai Gaee Kalja"
- "Akhian De Vanaj"
- "Laare Laa Ke"
- "Do Jugtaan"
- "Rang Na Vata Laeen"
- "Thumke Te Thumka"
- "India Salaama Karda"
- "Hath Hath Mein"
- "Lakh Patla Jiha"
- "Gaune Da Ghar Doore"
- "Kar Hi Tamasha Dekhe"
- "Mar Gae Majajne"
- "Vasde Raho Pardesio"
- "Sare Hi Trucka Vale Ne"
- "Mul Morta"
- "Nashedi Dil"
- "Dhol Vajda Riha"
- "Dil Te Na Laeen"
- "Dhian Rukh Te Pani"
He had to quit his college education when his family moved to Canada in 1990. Here all three brothers worked hard to get their first album recorded. Sangtar composed music for Manmohan Waris’ debut album ‘Peenghan Jhootdeye’ in 1993. It was something new; a new sound, a new voice, and a wonderful combination of great lyrics and a new style of music. It was an instant success. Soon Sangtar and Kamal started to make music for all new releases of Manmohan Waris and Debi Makhsoospuri.
In 1996 Sangtar married Michelle (studio engineer/ sound designer). They opened Grind Recording, a recording studio in Canada. As they found themselves working more and more with American artists, they decided to move to the US. In 2001 they opened their second studio, Grind Music & Sound, in Los Angeles.
Since 1993 Sangtar has been preparing music for Kamal Heer and Manmohan Waris as well as others. His style has changed over the years and he is always pushing the limits to bring some new ideas into Punjabi music. Manmohan Waris’ ‘Dil badle dil’, ‘Husn da jadu’ and ‘Nachiye Majajne’ and Kamal Heer’s ‘Masti’, ‘Masti-2’ and ‘Kamli’ are good examples of that. His music is a fusion of many different styles with a Punjabi overtone to it. Over the years Sangtar has also kept up his writing skills. He has a published book of poetry and has contributed many hit lyrics to many Punjabi albums.
Sangtar travels back and forth between his two studios (Canada and US) and India. He spends most of his time in the studio making new music.
