Baja Mali Knindža

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Baja Mali Knindža
Баја Мали Книнџа
Baja Mali Knindza Artist Image.png
Background information
Birth nameMirko Pajčin
Born (1966-10-13) October 13, 1966 (age 57)
Gubin, SFR Yugoslavia
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1989–present

Mirko Pajčin (Serbian Cyrillic: Мирко Пајчин,* 13 October 1966), better known by his stage name Baja Mali Knindža (Serbian Cyrillic: Баја Мали Книнџа), is a Bosnian Serb folk singer and poet. He is most known for his wartime work and is still one of the most popular artists in Serbia.

Early life

Baja was born on 13 October 1966 in the village of Gubin in nowadays Bosnia and Herzegovina.[1]

Attending school, Baja claims that his Serbian language teacher Milan Poparić influenced him heavily and introduced him to poetry. He started writing songs, recitingm acting and singing at a young age.

He attended high school in Bačka Palanka and ended up moving to Belgrade two years later.

After graduating from high school and finishing his mandatory military service in Livno, he started working at the Belgrade airport but soon turned to singing as his profession when a Surčin friend held a celebration for his son's birth, where Baja was invited and got handed the microphone to sing. He recieved a tip which would be five times as big as his airport salary, saying to himself "Baja, you won't wake up early anymore". Baja would soon start performing in various places and cities like Sarajevo or Grahovo.

Career

1989 would mark the start of his career as he performed in the amateur music competition "Prvi Glas Livna".

  1. "Lična karta". Knindza.info. Archived link.