(September 27, 2025) When a young Delhi boy swapped balance sheets for bass drops, he didn’t just change careers, he rewrote the Indian EDM playbook. Sarthak Sardana, better known as Sartek, has become a trailblazer on the international stage. He is the first Indian DJ to release music on Hardwell’s famed label, Revealed Recordings, and to have every one of those releases land on the Beatport Top 100 charts. Now he is bringing that global experience home with his newest venture, Sufi Tech, a Folk-House project that fuses mystical Indian melodies with pulsating electronic beats.
Revealed Recordings, founded by Dutch superstar Hardwell, is a powerhouse in electronic dance music, known for launching global festival anthems and discovering breakout talent. Beatport, meanwhile, is the world’s premier online store and charting platform for DJs, where hitting the Top 100 is a coveted stamp of international credibility. Sartek hasn’t stopped there. He has also released music on marquee labels like Armada Music and Sony Music, and opened shows for icons such as Justin Bieber, Armin Van Buuren, Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki, Axwell, and Nicky Romero during their India tours.
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Aspiring chartered accountant to EDM chart-topper
Coming from a family of chartered accountants, Sartek seemed destined for the same path, even reaching the CA final stage. But fate intervened when a poster for a legendary Dutch DJ’s Delhi gig caught his eye.
That night’s electrifying performance changed everything. “The sound completely blew me away,” he recalls in a chat with Global Indian. Soon he was scouring the internet for DJ sets, eventually enrolling in a music production course, without informing his family. His gamble paid off when his debut track was signed by Tiësto’s renowned label, Black Hole Recordings, a breakthrough that introduced him to a worldwide audience and launched his fast-rising musical career.
Sufi Tech: The new chapter
After successfully waving the flag of dance music from India across the world, winning praise, coveted record deals, and support from EDM giants such as David Guetta, Hardwell, and Armin Van Buuren, Sartek is now homeward bound with his new Folk-House offering titled Sufi Tech, released recently.
With that, the prominent DJ-producer, known for his global presence and noteworthy international associations, has shaped his next run. “I want to take Indian sounds to global stages and inspire people everywhere with our culture and music,” he remarks.
Early life and education
Born in New Delhi, Sartek completed his schooling from Modern School, Vasant Vihar. Academically, he was above average, and later went on to do a B.Com and MBA in Finance, followed by music production and sound engineering course from Beatfactory Academy in Delhi. “Growing up, I enjoyed playing snooker and occasionally tennis,” recalls the father of two.
His father passed away a day before his first-ever international show. “My only regret is that he is not here to witness my success,” says Sartek, whose career took off with ‘Apocalypse’ in 2013.
Musical tastes and creative rhythm
Sartek’s taste in music is wide. He has always been a big fan of old-school trance, but at the same time, enjoys Bollywood. “The ’90s sing-along tracks are especially close to my heart; there’s something timeless about them. If I had to pick one favourite, it would definitely be A. R. Rahman. His songs, with their soulful lyrics and melodies, have always stayed with me,” he remarks.
On the production side, most of Sartek’s work happens when he is back home. He usually sets aside weekends, but it all depends on inspiration. “If I’m really in the zone, I can finish multiple tracks within a few days. But there are times when a single idea can take months to get fully shaped.”
Sartek with Dutch DJ Hardwell
What lies ahead
“There’s a lot in the pipeline after Sufi Tech. I’m close to signing a deal with a major Indian label to re-imagine parts of their catalogue in my Folk-House style, which I’m really excited about,” shares the DJ-producer. He is also putting together a massive wedding mashup with some of the biggest wedding DJs in the country.
Sartek feels the Indian music scene is one of the most exciting in the world right now. “It’s so versatile and bursting with talent. We’re seeing a massive rise in indie artists who are carving their own space and pushing the boundaries, while labels continue to play a big role in building culture and giving artists larger platforms.”
‘Of course’, says the musician, ‘Bollywood is a giant and always will be, but instead of seeing it as competition’, he feels it inspires those in the industry to raise their game.
Limitless opportunities
“The truth is, there has never been a better time to be an artist in India, with the global audience opening up to our sounds; the opportunities are limitless,” says Sartek, pointing out that his journey has been about staying true to himself and blending who he is with the music he makes.
“I’ve learned that passion and consistency can really change the course of your life. I feel blessed to have the support of my family, my kids who keep me grounded, and fans who give me the energy to keep pushing forward,” he says.
Sartek during a performance
Beyond the console
Outside of music, Sartek loves playing pickleball and snooker. He is always up for trying new restaurants and experimenting with different cuisines. “Of course, most of my time at home is with my kids; they keep me on my toes, but spending those moments with them is something I truly cherish,” he signs off.
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