Harbans Singh Jandu was born in the village of Littran, Punjab, India.

He first started writing lyrics for Punjabi songs in 1968. He placed first (out of 52 lyricists) in the Des Pardes paper songwriting competition, with the song “Nachdi di Photo Kich Mundeya”, in 1968.

This gave him the encouragement and inspiration to continue his hobby and passion for Punjabi song writing and is now considered as one of the most prominent Bhangra lyricists.

He has written songs for many famous Bhangra and Punjabi artists, including AS Kang, Kuldip Manak, Surinder Shinda, Jazzy B, Bhinda Jatt, Late Balwinder Safri, Sukhshinder Shinda, H-Dhami, Amrinder Gill, Azaad, Alaap, Heera, Holle Holle, Apna Sangeet, Awaaz, Bhujhangy Group, Shin DCS, Dippa Satrang, Gurcharan Mall, Yudhvir Manak, Aman Hayer, The Saathies, Red Rose, Karnail Cheema, Gurdev Kaur, Pardesi Music Machine, Mastan Heera, ADH, Geet, Meshi Eshara, Mahendra Kapoor, Baldev Mastana, Parmjit Pammi, Kamaljit Neeru, Gurlez Akhtar, Manjit Pappu and many others.

He has had many songs recorded over his 50-year career and is still continuing to write lyrics till this day.

Jandu Littranwala wrote one of the most celebrated Bhangra songs in the history of Punjabi music – ‘Giddhian Di Raniye’ sung by A.S.Kang. Some of his other hit songs include:

• Chan Mere Makhna by Late Balwinder Safri
• Sorrma & Soorma 2 by Jazzy B
• Sardara by Jazzy B
• Kuri Giddhe Vich Ayee by Bhinda Jatt
• Putt Sardaran De by ADH
• Mohabat Hogai by Azaad
• Lishke Long Te Jhanjar” by The Saathies
• Ha La La” – Ajuba (featured in the Bhaji on the Beach film soundtrack)
• Jithevi Jaan Punjabi by Azaad
• Vang by ADH
• Hukam by Jazzy B, Yudhvir Manak and Late Kuldip Manak

He has worked with music directors and composers such as Charanjit Ahuja, KS Narula, Sukshinder Shinda, Baldev Mastana, Bupps Saggu, Tejwant Kittu and many others.

Jandu Littranwala received an accolade from then Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, on 20 January 2009 in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, for his contribution in promoting the Punjabi language throughout the world through his song writing.

He has been the recipient of many awards and accolades including Asian Pop Awards: four times Best Lyricist (from 1982), BBC Radio WM (2004), Sandwell Council awarded him for promoting Punjabi language and culture worldwide through his songs, Wolverhampton City Council awarded him for promoting Wolverhampton worldwide through his songs (2008), House Of Commons Cultural Award (2006), House of Commons Award Vaisakhi (2007), Awarded Gold Medal for Best Lyricist in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and Gold Medal for Best Songwriter in Jalandhar, India, and many more.

Harbans Singh Jandu was part of the DESIblitz Literature Festival in 2023 and featured in the event Punjabi Shayari on Tour on Friday, October 27, 2023.

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