Today, December 16th, marks the birthday of Harshdeep Kaur, the Indian playback singer celebrated as the "Sufi Ki Sultana" for her soul-stirring renditions of Sufi music. Born in Delhi on this day in 1986, she turns 39 this year. From a young age, Harshdeep displayed a natural inclination towards music, nurtured by her father, Savinder Singh Sohal, who owns a musical instrument factory.

Kaur's journey in music began at the tender age of six, with initial training in Indian classical music from Mr. Tejpal Singh (of the Singh Brothers) and Western classical music from George Pullinkala at the Delhi Music Theatre. Later, at twelve, she expanded her musical horizons by learning the piano at the Delhi School of Music.

Harshdeep's career took off after she won titles in two reality shows, establishing herself as a prominent voice in Bollywood. Her first Bollywood song, "Sajna Mai Haari," was released when she was sixteen. She has recorded songs in multiple Indian languages, including Hindi, Punjabi, Malayalam, Tamil, and Urdu.

To celebrate her birthday, here’s a look at six of her most captivating Sufi renditions:

1. "Ik Onkar" from Rang De Basanti: This Sikh prayer, included in the film, became a significant milestone in Harshdeep's career. Its message of peace and unity resonated globally.
2. "Heer" from Jab Tak Hai Jaan: Composed by A.R. Rahman and penned by Gulzar, this ballad showcased Harshdeep’s vocal clarity and emotional depth, capturing the pain and beauty of love.
3. "Tere Ishq Mein": This song demonstrates her ability to bring a Sufi touch to Bollywood.
4. "Sanu Ik Pal Chain Na Aave": A classic Sufi song performed by Harshdeep Kaur, showcasing her mesmerizing voice.
5. "Chaap Tilak (Coke Studio)": The song is another example of her contribution to the Sufi genre.
6. "Allah Hoo": This is one of her prominent Sufi renditions.

Harshdeep has collaborated with leading music directors, including A.R. Rahman, Pritam Chakraborty, and Vishal-Shekhar. She is also one of the few Indian singers to have contributed to a Hollywood film, with her track "R.I.P." featured in Danny Boyle's "127 Hours". Beyond film music, Kaur has appeared on all four seasons of Coke Studio India and served as a judge on the singing reality show "The Voice India".

In her personal life, Harshdeep married Mankeet Singh in 2015 and they have a son named Hunar Singh, born in 2021. Her presence on the Lux Junoon show wearing a turban was appreciated globally.

As she celebrates her birthday, Harshdeep Kaur continues to inspire with her soulful voice and dedication to music. Her contribution to Bollywood and the Sufi genre has solidified her place as a leading playback singer in India.