Irshad Kamil, Satinder Sartaaj return to Panjab University on July 26
Synopsis
Two of Panjab University's most celebrated alumni — National Film Award-winning lyricist Irshad Kamil and globally acclaimed Sufi poet Satinder Sartaaj — are returning to their alma mater on 26 July for Lafz Sur Aur Safar, a rare open conversation about art, struggle, and the journeys that shaped them. The event is free, but seats are limited.
Key Takeaways
Panjab University will host Lafz Sur Aur Safar on 26 July at the Panjab University Convention Centre , Chandigarh.
The event features alumni Irshad Kamil (National Film Award-winning lyricist) and Satinder Sartaaj (internationally acclaimed Sufi singer-poet).
Organised by the Panjab University Alumni Association (PUAA) in collaboration with the Chandigarh Citizens Foundation (CCF) .
Entry is free , but prior registration is mandatory; a valid identity card is required at the venue.
The conversation will be moderated by academicians Pushpinder Syal and Archana R.
Lyricist Irshad Kamil and Sufi singer-poet Satinder Sartaaj will return to their alma mater, Panjab University in Chandigarh, on 26 July for Lafz Sur Aur Safar — a first-of-its-kind conversational evening that promises rare personal reflections on art, struggle, and creative identity. The event will be held at the Panjab University Convention Centre and is free to attend, though prior registration is mandatory.
About the Event
Organised by the Panjab University Alumni Association (PUAA) in collaboration with the Chandigarh Citizens Foundation (CCF), Lafz Sur Aur Safar is conceived as an inspirational dialogue rather than a conventional stage performance. Audiences will hear both artists speak about the stories behind their words, music, struggles, and milestones — a format that sets it apart from standard cultural evenings on campus.
The conversation will be moderated by academicians Pushpinder Syal and Archana R. Singh, who will guide the guests through themes of literature, music, and the formative experiences that shaped their artistic paths.
Who They Are
Irshad Kamil is among India's most decorated lyricists and a distinguished Panjab University alumnus. A National Film Award winner for Best Lyrics, he has authored some of Hindi cinema's most enduring songs — including Agar Tum Saath Ho, Kun Faya Kun, Nadaan Parindey, Phir Se Ud Chala, Shayad, and Bekhayali. He also wrote the Panjab University anthem Shaan-o-Shaukat, a detail that lends the homecoming a particularly personal dimension.
Satinder Sartaaj is an internationally celebrated Sufi singer, poet, and songwriter, also a noted Panjab University alumnus. His body of work — spanning songs such as Sai, Udaarian, Masoomiyat, Main Te Meri Jaan, Ibadat, and Rutba — has carried Punjabi poetry and Sufi music to audiences worldwide. His ability to weave classical Punjabi literary traditions with contemporary performance has made him a singular figure in the genre.
What the University Said
Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig described the event as a unique and inspiring welcome for new students joining the campus and affiliated colleges. She noted that bringing back two distinguished alumni whose journeys continue to motivate generations would strengthen the bond between the university and its alumni community while fostering meaningful dialogue with students and society at large.
Who Can Attend and How to Register
The programme is open to PU alumni, students of the campus and affiliated colleges, literature enthusiasts, artists, and culture lovers from across the tricity and beyond. Seats are limited, and early registration is strongly advised. Entry will be permitted only upon successful registration, and all attendees must carry a valid identity card for verification at the venue.
As two celebrated creative minds revisit the institution where their journeys began, Lafz Sur Aur Safar on 26 July shapes up as one of the more substantive cultural evenings Chandigarh will see this season.
Point of View
Not just product. For a university audience, that is arguably more valuable than a performance. What is worth watching is whether Panjab University can build on this template to institutionalise alumni engagement beyond one-off evenings; the PUAA has historically struggled to sustain that momentum. Kamil and Sartaaj are also an instructive pairing: one works within the Hindi film industry's commercial machinery, the other has carved a global niche outside it. The contrast in their paths could make for the evening's most revealing exchange.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lafz Sur Aur Safar at Panjab University?
Lafz Sur Aur Safar is a first-of-its-kind conversational event at the Panjab University Convention Centre in Chandigarh on 26 July, featuring lyricist Irshad Kamil and Sufi singer-poet Satinder Sartaaj in dialogue about their creative journeys. It is organised by the Panjab University Alumni Association in collaboration with the Chandigarh Citizens Foundation.
Is the Panjab University event on 26 July free to attend?
Yes, entry to Lafz Sur Aur Safar is free. However, prior registration is mandatory and seats are limited, so early registration is advised. Attendees must carry a valid identity card for verification at the venue.
Who is Irshad Kamil?
Irshad Kamil is a National Film Award-winning lyricist and Panjab University alumnus, best known for writing Hindi film songs such as Agar Tum Saath Ho, Kun Faya Kun, Nadaan Parindey, Shayad, and Bekhayali. He also wrote the Panjab University anthem Shaan-o-Shaukat.
Who is Satinder Sartaaj?
Satinder Sartaaj is an internationally acclaimed Sufi singer, poet, and songwriter and a Panjab University alumnus. He is known for songs including Sai, Udaarian, Masoomiyat, and Rutba, and is credited with taking Punjabi poetry and Sufi music to global audiences.
Who can register for the Lafz Sur Aur Safar event?
The event is open to Panjab University alumni, students of the campus and affiliated colleges, literature lovers, artists, and culture enthusiasts from across the Chandigarh tricity and beyond. Registration is compulsory for all attendees.
