Neeti Mohan

Neeti Mohan is an Indian Singer, Song writer and actress. Born on 18 November, 1979 in the capital city New Delhi. She is the eldest sister in her Family.
Neeti Mohan did her schooling from Birla Balika Vidyapeeth, Pilani and college studies from Miranda House, University of Delhi. Neeti Mohan’s father name is Brij Mohan Sharma and her mother name is Kusum Mohan. She also has 3 sisters Shakti Mohan (Younger, Dancer), Mukti Mohan (Younger, Dancer) and Kriti Mohan (Younger).

Convinced by her father, Mohan participated in many extra-curricular activities during her school; singing, dancing, performing in the band and theatre. She was adjudged best cadet in the National Cadet Corps of India and represented India as Youth Exchange Programme cadet. Later, Neeti Mohan learnt music formally at the Bhatkhande Music Institute and continued training in Mumbai with Rajashree Pathak, for five years. Apart from training in singing, Mohan studied dancing with her two sisters.

She trained in Bharata Natyam and Kathak under the supervision of Ashley Lobo. Besides training kids to dance, Mohan worked as an instructor there. Mohan graduated in philosophy from Miranda House, University of Delhi.

Career

Neeti Mohan sings mainly in Hindi films, but has also done songs in Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Punjabi, and English.

She made her Bollywood debut in the movie “Student of the Year” which was release in 2012 and which was also a debut film for all of the Protagonists of the movie that is Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Siddharth Malhotra.
Mohan, debuted as a singer and sang the song ‘’ISHQ WALA LOVE’’

which was loved by everyone and film critics as well. The Song was soft ballad along with the music duo Salim Merchant and Sulaiman Merchant a.k.a Salim – Sulaiman.

Later she was heard in the song ‘’Jiya re’’

Which was composed by the legendary A.R Rahman she said that Rahman caller her for recording while getting perceived from him.
Eventually Neeti Mohan had shown too much enthusiasm and energy previously on the show due to which A.R Rahman had chosen her to sing the song. And she turned out to be awesome.
Due to delays in the date of release Jiya Re was release after the Ishq Wala Love which was shot after Jiya re but was released first.
Anyway, both of them made mark on Bollywood’s critics and audience too.
A Bollywood entertainment website ‘’Koimoi’’ mentioned that Shakti Mohan’s refreshing voice delivers the track with lot of enthusiasm and variations. And anyway Rahman had already appreciated she got recognition since then.
Mohan provided the chorus along with Natalie Di Luccio in Raghav Sachar-composed “Bittoo Sab Ki Lega” from Bittoo Boss, released the same year. During the year, she released her first single, titled “Ja Ja” composed and written by Mohan, assisted by her father.
Mohan lent her voice for Ayushmann Khurrana’s Punjabi track, “Saadi Galli Aaja“

co-composed, co-written and co-sung by Khurana. Since Mohan does not speak Punjabi, she had to learn to pronounce the words before recording the song. “Koimoi” stated that Mohan “mesmerizes” the listeners in the unplugged version of the song, with her “husky voice”. Mohan performed the track “Kashmir Main Tu Kanyakumari”

for Vishal–Shekhar composed Chennai Express, along with Sunidhi Chauhan and Arijit Singh. Besides, Neeti Mohan worked with Vishal–Shekhar for two other projects; Gippi and Gori Tere Pyaar Mein, where she recorded “Dil Kaagzi”

For the former and “Naina” for the latter. While Mohan and Rashid Ali were performing in one Rahman’s concert show, he came up with the idea to bring a duet between the two, since “both shares similar vocal texture”. Hence, Neeti Mohan did playback for Sonam Kapoor in Raanjhanaa “Nazar Laaye“. Mohan had to bring the “softness” in her voice to match the “definite attitude” in Kapoor’s persona for her character.

In 2014, Mohan released a song ‘’Tune Maari Entriyaan’’ from the film Gunday which starred Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. She had sang that song along with Bappi Lahiri, Vishal Dadhlani and K.K. The Song was successfully listed in top 10 songs of the year, by The Times of India Radio Mirchi.

Neeti Mohan and Aditi Singh Sharma had composed one song from the movie Darr@ The Mall which was considered as Bollywood’s first Gothic song. She also collaborated with Ayushmann Khurrana again for Bewakoofiyaan song name “Khamakhaan” Apart from rendering Sajid–Wajid’s “Galat Baat Hai” from Main Tera Hero, for which Rajiv Vijayakar of Bollywood Hungama considered Mohan’s vocals “spirited”, she lent to voice for “Kambal Ke Neeche“

from Ismail Darbar-composed Kaanchi. Mohan described the latter as a “family song” since it features two of her sisters; Shakti Mohan and Mukti Mohan in the video. In the same year Mohan worked with Himesh Reshamayan for 4 films – The Expose, Humshakals, Kick & Action Jackson. Mohan collaborated with Jeet Gannguly for the first time with the song “Darbadar“

From City Lights Producer of the film, Mukesh Bhatt wanted a “young Asha Bhosle”, hence she had to Fix her “tone and projection” for the song. Likewise, Mohan was roped in by Vishal–Shekhar for Bang Bang and Happy New Year, where the title track for the former and “India Waale” for the latter were commercially successful. Besides, Mohan provided backing vocals for the track “Makhna”, featuring Sukhwinder Singh in Rahman-composed American film Million Dollar Arm.
In the year 2015 Neeti Mohan’s biggest hit was Mohan’s biggest release of 2015 came with Amit Trivedi’s Bombay Velvet, where she performed six jazzy tracks for the album Trivedi was in search of a voice with an “Asha Bhosle meets Nina Simone” best quality for Anushka Sharma’s Jazz singer character Rosie in the film, when he considered Mohan as the choice. According to The Indian Express, “what has worked” in the song “Mohabbat Buri Bimari“

is Mohan’s extemporization in the middle of the track—with all the hiccups, laughs and squeals in place. The film marks the first time she read a script before recording a track to the respective film. “I was asked to sing just like how I would perform live”. She recorded the songs at the studio dressed like a jazz singer, with people around her to cheer her.

For another track “Dhadaam Dhadaam“, Mohan was locked up in a room and was asked to “feel the pain of someone who’s going through a break-up”. Describing her time recording the song, she said; “I ran a fever after that song and you can almost hear the tear in my voice towards the end”. Additionally,

Mohan recorded a track titled “Naak Pe Gussa” for the film, which was inspired by K. M. Nanavati v. State of Maharashtra case. Mohan again collaborated with Trivedi in Shaandaar where she performed both “Nazdeekiyaan” and “Senti Wali Mental” for the film.

More Songs of Neeti Mohan include –
Aalif Se – Mr X
Sarfira – Katti Batti
Neeyum Nannum – Naanum Rowdydhaan
Kohila – Ko 2
Tod Taddaiyan – Prem Ratan Dhan Payo.
Tumhe Apna Banane Ka – Sadak (1991)
Sanam Teri Kasam
Teraa Surroor.

Idols.

Neeti Mohan has said that from childhood she has been influenced by Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar. She considered Mangeshkar as her “greatest teacher for playback“, while she credited A. R. Rahman for making her sustain her standard; “He is a task master but he gets the best out of you. His standards are very high, be it a recording or live performance”. Mohan has also been influenced by many artists outside the country. She considered herself as a fan of John Mayer for his inspiring style of writing lyrics. Mohan credits the 1971 released song “Imagine” by John Lennon for inspiring on achieving her dreams with the “right kind of dedication”.

Charity

Besides her career in music, Neeti Mohan has also contributed to various charities. In October 2014, she performed at the “Hum Hain Umeed E Kashmir” concert in Ballia, in an appeal for donation to support rehabilitation of those who suffered during the Kashmir flood. The same month, Mohan took part in the musical concert held in New Delhi for raising funds for the flood affected people of Assam. In June 2016, Neeti Mohanperformed at Smile Foundation’s charity gala dinner, to support the cause of empowerment of underprivileged children and youth. In January 2017, she collaborated with United Nations on a project aimed at empowering women, ending human trafficking and promoting gender equality. Her single “Udne De”

was selected for the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund Project titled “Music to Inspire-Artists united against Human Trafficking”.

Collaboration

Neeti Mohan has collaborated with many Singers and Music Directors
Vishal – Shekhar – Ishq Wala Love (Student Of The Year) , Kashmir Main Tu Kanyakumari (Chennai Express), Dil Kaagzi (Gori Tere Pyaar Mein),
A.R Rahman – Jiya Re (Jab Tak Hain Jaan)
Raghav Sachar – Bittoo Sabki Lega (Bittoo Boss)
Ayushmann Khurrana – Sadi Gali Aaja (Nautanki Saala)
Sohail – Sen – Tune Maari Entriyaan (Gunday),
Sajid – Wajid – Galat Baat Hain(Main Tera Hero)
Ismail Darbar – Kambal Ke Neeche (Kaanchi),
Himesh Reshammiyan – Tu Hi Tu (Kick)
Jeet Gannguli – Darbadar (CityLights)
Amit Trivedi – Bombay Velvet.

Awards and Recognitions

R.D Burman Award – Jiya Re, 2013.

R.D Burman Award – Ishq Wala Love, 2013.

Upcoming Female Vocalists of the year 2013.

Indie Pop Song of the year – 2018

Best Playbak Singer Female (Tamil) – Neeyam Naanum 2017.

Dabur Best Smile (The Voice Of India Kids) – 2017

Most Stylist Music Star – 2018.

Dada Saheb Phalke Best Playback Singer – 2018

Runa Laila

Runa Laila is a Bangladeshi Playback Singer was born on 17th November 1952. She completed her graduation from the University of Dhaka. She is well known and one of the best known singers in Asia. She was born in Sylhet a city in East Pakistan – now Bangladesh. She was born to Syed Mohammed Imdad Ali a civil person servant posted in Karachi and Amila Laila. She started taking dance lessons of Kathak and Bharatnatyam genre.

Family

Runa Laila’s Father Syed Mohammed Imdad All was a Civil servant posted in Karachi and mother is Amina Laila.
She is married to Bangladesh’s popular film actor and a host Alamgir who has won several National film awards.

They have a daughter named Tani Laila who is a singer too. 

Career

Runa Laila began career journey with a stage show in Dhaka at an age of 6 where she got the chance because of her elder sister Dian’s inability to sing. Certainly, she did not miss the chance, she satisfied with all audience by singing. When she was 9 years old, Radio Pakistan organized an inter-school music competition but organizers did not want to give her chance, cause of being an English medium student. In Pakistan those days, Ahmed Rushdi was the leading film singer who introduced rock n roll, disco and other modern genres to South Asian music. Following Rushdi’s success, Christian bands specialising in jazz started performing at various night clubs and hotel lobbies

in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Dhaka and Lahore. Laila became a fan of singer Ahmed Rushdi whom she considered her guru (teacher), and tried to emulate not only his singing style but also the way he used to perform on the stage. She then learned classical music with her elder sister Dina Laila (d. 1976). While she was a student of Saint Lawrence Convent, she won an inter-school singing competition in Karachi in the then west Pakistan.

She, along with her sister, were trained by Ustad Abdul Kader Peyarang and Ustad Habibuddin Ahmed. Runa wholeheartedly dedicated herself for the betterment of Bangla songs and the Bangla music industry. By then she had given voice to a significant number of Urdu songs, but all that fame seemed like nothing when the call from her roots reverberated within.

Her cousin, Anjumara Begum, had already been a known singer. When Laila was 12, she performed as a playback singer for a male child actor in the Urdu language film Jugnu. The song was titled “Gudia Si Munni Meri”.

In 1966, Laila made her entry and breakthrough in Pakistani Film industry with the song “Unki Nazron Sey Mohabbat Ka Jo Paigham Mila” for the film Hum Dono.

After her popularity she started performing on PTV channel’s show called ‘’Bazm E Laila’’.

Laila started appearing on the ‘Zia Mohyuddin Show’ (1972–74) and later did songs for films in the 1970s such as the film Umrao Jan Ada (1972). In 1974, she recorded “Shaader Lau” in Kolkata. She also had her first concert in India in 1974 in Mumbai.

Bollywood Career

She started in Bollywood with director Jaidev who she meet in Delhi, who took her under his wings and got her the chance to play at the inauguration of Doordarshan.

She first worked with the music composers Kalyanji-Anandji for the title song of a movie called Ek Se Badhkar Ek.

Lata Mangeshkar gave her blessings to Laila during the recording of the song. She gained popularity in India with the songs O Mera babu Chail chabila and Damadum Mast Kalandar

In October 2009, she released “Kala Sha Kala“,

A collection of Punjabi Wedding songs in India. In 2012, Laila served as a judge on the show Sur Kshetra,

an Indian television contest show for amateur singers. She described her relationship with fellow judge Asha Bhosle as that of sisters. In 2014, she collaborated with Sabina Yasmin on a song for a television play “Dalchhut Projapoti“, the first time they worked on a song together.
With her brilliant display of combining hard work with natural talent, Runa has taught herself to sing in over 15 different languages. So far the iconic Runa Laila has sung in Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Gujarati, Pashto, Baluchi, Arabic, Persian, Malay, Nepalese, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, French and English.

For her inborn charm and innate charisma, Runa Laila has received numerous offers for acting as well. From both India and Pakistan, directors, including the noted Indian actor, producer, director Raj Kapoor, approached the talented diva to grace their scripts. However, Runa has always kept her priorities straight. She has appeared in only one film, the 1995 smash hit Shilpi, that too because it had connections and resemblances to her real life.

Style Icon

An epitome of uniqueness and forever a style icon, Runa Laila hit the then conservative mind-sets of the TV show organizers hard with her fashion and on-stage appearance. The bold diva in her twenties did not hesitate to show up on her own show titled ‘’Bazm E Laila’’ wearing shirt-pants or maxis. For her, it was only a part of being her true self. And no wonder her confidence won over all the criticism and broke the walls of cultural conservatism. Till this day Runa Laila often designs her own clothes. Fashion designing has somewhat been like a hobby for her.

Charity Work

Runa Laila has done a lot of charity work, after an unfortunate death of her sister in 1976 from cancer. She used to organize concerts in Bangladesh in order to raise funds for the unfortunate cancer patients all over the world.
But the height of popularity never got ‘Runa Laila’ over the clouds, for her attention has only and only revolved around her love for music. The benevolent artiste has taken part in countless charity programs, has worked as an ambassador for SAARC and UNAIDS to create awareness against mortal diseases. She has also funded to establish a children’s ward in Dhaka Children’s Hospital for children with cancer.

Guinness Book Of World Records

Runa Laila’s name has been written on the Guinness Book for recording 30 songs within 3 days. In fact, this is not the only record she holds. In 1982, Runa Laila won Golden Disk Award as her album Superuna composed by Bappi Lahiri was sold over 1 lakh copies on the very first day of its release.

Discography

Runa Laila-Kala Siah Kala (2010)

Runa Laila – Moods & Emotions (2008)

Bazm-E-Laila

The Loves of Runa Laila

Ganga Amar Ma Padma Amar Ma-Runa Laila

Superuna (1982)

Runa Goes Disco (1982)

Runa Sings Shahbaz Qalandar (1982)

Geet / Ghazals (1976)

Runa in Pakistan (Geet) (1980)

Runa in Pakistan (Ghazals) (1980)

Sincerely Yours- Runa Laila

I Love to Sing for You- Runa Laila

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0EoCkmu7oc

Pakistani Songs –

Jaan-E-Mann Itna Bata Do Mohabbat, Mohabbat Hai Kya

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vEgriuRx5E

Unki Nazron Se Mohabbat Ka Jo Paigham Mila

Hoey Hoey Dil Dharkay Mein Yeh Kaisay Kahoon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUx05ccKrvY

Kaatey Na Katay Rattia Sayyan Intezar Ki

Hamein Kho Kar Bahut Pachhtao Gay Jab Hum Nahin Haun Gay

Collaboration

Runa Laila being a Bangladeshi and Pakistani singer has also collaborated with Indian Artists and Lyricists –
Gulzar – Tumhe Ho Na Ho (Gharonda)
Kalyanji – Anandji – EK Se Badh Kar Ek.
Bappi Lahiri – Maar Gayo Re Rasgulla Khilai Ke Maar Gayo Re, Ye Dil Wale Aao (Yaadgar).
Laxmikant – Pyaarelal – Ali Baba Mil Gaye Chalis Chor Se (Agneepath), Main Kaali Anaar Ki (Sapnon Ka Mandir)

Awards and Recognitions.

Independence Award

Bangladesh National Film Award

Sheltech Award – Bangladesh

Lux-Channel Lifetime Performance Award – Bangladesh

Saigal Award – India

Nigar Award – Pakistan

Critics Award – Pakistan

Graduate Award – Pakistan

National council of Music Awards – Pakistan.

Jaspinder Narula Biography

Jaspinder Narula born on November 14th, 1970 is a Punjabi Singer she also sings various Bhajans and she is also a Sufi music singer. She is very popular in the Punjabi music industry she has sung many Punjabi Songs.

She did her schooling from Guru Harikishan Public School in New Delhi and completed her B.A in Music from Indraprastha College for Women,

where she got admission in a special way as she did not have music as a subject in 12th Grade pre-requisite for admission in the course.

Jaspinder Narula has also done PhD. In Hindustani Classical Music from DU (Delhi University) in 2008.

Family

Jaspinder’s late father was a Punjabi music maestro Sardar Kesar Singh Narula, Mother Mohini Narula was also a singer and her brother is a singer in Punjabi Industry Micky Narula.

Jaspinder got married to Man Mohan who is businessman based in Canada.

Career

Before making a big name in Bollywood industry Jaspinder Narula was initially in to Bhajans and Sufi songs. She was very much inspired and guided by her father Sardar Kesar Singh who was a music composer too in 50s.

Jaspinder Narula did not try singing in films as she was getting used to bhajans and was earning well fame in the same categories.

Jaspinder Narula moved to Mumbai, and she got a career changing advice from the noted music director Kalyanji who had previously heard Jaspinder playing in a social gathering event.

He was very much impressed by her voice and recommended her to his son Viju Shah who is a music director in Bollywood industry to give her a chance to sing in one of his movies and that’s how she got her Bollywood break in the Movie called Master.

Jaspindar Narula Songs List

• Dhin Tak Dhin Tak
• Tare Hain Barati – Virasat
• Ankhiyon Se Goli Maare – Dulhe Raja
• Sona Sona – Major Saab
• Tera Rang Balle Balle  – Soldier
• Ek Mulakat Zaruri Hain Sanam  – Sirf Tum
• Lutiya gaya – International Khiladi

Jaspindar Narula Folk music and Bhajans and other Devotional Music

• Ik Onkara
• Mandavadi Maa Jyoti
• Eko Ek Daati Te Sawaali Saari Dunia
• Dum Rakhdi

Jaspinder Narula has also collaborated with many renowned music directors of Bollywood industry like Anu Malik, Jatin-Lalit and Anand-Milind.

Political Interests

Jaspinder Narula joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2014. She was recently working on a project based on the life of freedom fighter (V D) Savarakar and was highly influenced by him. The freedom fighters have done so much for the country and even I felt like contributing to the country.

It was then Jaspinder Narula decided to take a plunge into politics and AAP was a natural option. Narula who has also sung in hit films like “Mission Kashmir”, “Mohabbatein”, “Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani” & Bunty Aur Babli’’.

Later in March 2014 she quit Aam Aadmi Party and left forever from politics saying that it had become direction less, the motive that she had before joining the party was nowhere to be seen so she would want to stay of the company.

Although Jaspinder Narula has sang many Bollywood songs and has gain enough recognitions she was very much keen about singing fold music and Sufi music and bhajans most of her career has spent through singing sufu and bhajans she will always be thankful to her guru for teaching her the Sa Re Ga of the music world.

Collaboration

• Jaspinder Narula has collaborated with many Music Directors for the Bollywood movies –

• Nadeem – Shravan – Judaai, Ab Ab Laut Chalein, Sirf Tum, Dhadhkan, Indian Babu.
• Anu Malik – Virasat, Soldier, Kareeb, Jaanam Samjha Karo, Sooryavansham, Badal, Fiza, Khauff, Champion, Mela, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Filhaal.
• Anand – Milind – Dulhe Raja, Maa Kasam, Jaanwar, Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet, Chal Mere Bhai, Jaani Dushman, Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karein.
• Ismail Darbar – Deewangi, Devdas.
• Himesh Reshammiya – Apne, Aap Ki Khatir, Annarth, Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa, Humraaz.
• Dilip Sen – Sameer Sen – Arjun Pandit, Anari No.1 & Kohram.
• Jatin – Lalit – Mohabbatein, Phir Bhi Dil Hain Hindustani.Censor
• Sanjeev – Darshan – Deewane, Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke, Parwana, Suno Sasurjee.
• Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy – Bunty Aur Babli

Awards and Recognitions

• Filmfare Award For Best Female Playback Singer – Pyaar Toh Hona Hi Tha – 1999

• Screen Awards For Best Female Playback Singer – Pyaar Toh Hona Hi Tha – 1999

• Title Of India’s Best Live Performer In N.D.T.V’s Inagine Singing Reality Series – Dhoom Macha De – 2008.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan the legend of Qawwali  was born on December 9,1974 in Faisalabad , Punjab , Pakistan. He is often recognized as nephew of Qawwal Maestro ‘’Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’’

And son of Farruk Fateh Ali Khan and Grandson of Fateh Ali Khan. He got married to Nida Rahat and have 2 children Shazmaan Khan and Filza Khan.

Career

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was selected at birth by his uncle for tutoring in the art of qawwali music. A precocious child, Rahat was singing at the age of three with his uncle and his father Farroukh Fateh Ali Khan, another respected qawwali singer.
Rahat began formalized training with his uncle at the age of six. By age 15, Rahat officially joined his uncle’s celebrated group.
Since becoming the head of the group, Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan has performed on a variety of recordings and has sung with Eddie Vedder at the Dead Man Walking Concert put on by Tim Robbins.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84TA3jMXLc4

He and his band continue to entrance world audiences with numerous shows around the globe. Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s self-titled release on American Recordings is his U.S. debut. Recorded in Santa Monica, CA, its four tracks are both emotionally charged and expertly performed. Producer Rick Rubin, of Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Beastie Boys fame, boosts Rahat’s already potent sounds by cranking up the low end and placing the tabla way up in the mix.

Though Rahat is excited to play with Western pop musicians and lay down tracks in state-of-the-art studios, he is ultimately most concerned with the art of qawwali and its mystically imbued message.
In April 2012 Rahat toured in the UK, performing at Wembley Arena and the Manchester Arena, playing to a combined audience of over 20,000 people and creating a record of maximum ticket-sales.
In 2002, he worked on the soundtrack of The Four Feathers in collaboration with the American composer of orchestral and film music, James Horner. In 2002, Rahat guested with The Derek Trucks Band on the song “Maki Madni” for Trucks’ album,

Joyful Noise. In 2006, his vocals were featured on the soundtrack of Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto.

He debuted as a playback singer in Bollywood with the movie Paap (2003), in the song “Mann Ki Lagan“.

Some of his Albums include:-

RAHAT- The very best of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

FOREVER – Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

KINNA SOHNA with Michael Brook.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has also given his voice to many Bollywood Movies like for Aaja Nachle ”O Re Piya”
Bodyguard “Teri Meri” , Jhoom Barabar Jhoom ”Bol Na Halke Halke”

Alongside – Shreya Ghoshal, Neha Kakkar .

Television

Rahat also made his appearance on Indian National Television Channel on Star Plus in 2007.

And Junoon on NDTV Imagine.

Nobel Peace Prize Concert

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was second Pakistani to perform at the upcoming Nobel Peace Prize Concert on December 11. Junoon performed at the concert earlier, according to Dawn.com.
The concert, was held at the Oslo Spektrum Arena, was hosted by Queen Latifah and will honour India’s Kailash Satyarthi and the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace prize, Malala Yousafzai, for the work they have done to promote children’s rights, particularly education.

He performed Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s most memorable qawwali “Tumhe Dillagi“

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9V_nu722wM

“Mast Qalandar”

Aao Parhao

Coke Studio

Rahat has also appeared on Pakistani Show Coke Studio for 4 straight seasons.

He first appeared in season 1, where he collaborated with singer Ali Azmat for the track “Garaj Baras”.

He then collaborated with Abida Parveen in season 6 for “Chhaap Tilak Sab Chheeni”.

In season 9, he sang “Afreen Afreen” along with Momina Mustehsan

Which has garnered more than 300 million views on YouTube, becoming the first Pakistani song to cross that mark. He collaborated with Amjad Sabri for “Aaj Rang Hai“

Which was the final performance of the latter, prior to his assassination on 22 June 2016. He appeared in Coke Studio Pakistan (season 10) where he performed “Sayonee” with Ali Noor and a solo number called Rangreza.

Bollywood Tracks Of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

Laal (Alaap)
Mann Ki lagan
Maine Use Dekha Hain
Kisi Roz Milo Hume Shaam
Dhaley
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Rabba
Jaho
Haal – E – Dil
Jag Soona Soona Lage
Ajj Din Chadeya
Aas Paas Khuda

Pakistani Songs

Hum Pakistan
Aman Ki Aasha
Hum Dekhenge
Chalo Chalo Imran Ke Sath
Paniyon Pe Chalen
Allah Shukar Hain
Ballay Pe Nishan.

Awards and Recognitions

Song of the Year – Malaal, 2017

Best Male Playback – Tere Bina Jeena 2016

Best Male Singer – Sanwar De Khudaya 2018

Best TV OST – Kaise Yeh Marz Hain Ishq Ishq 2019

ARY Award for Best Original Soundtrack – 2015-2016

Pakistani Media Award Best Male Singer – 2011-2013

UK Asian Music Awards – Teri Meri 2012

Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Dil Toh Bachcha Hain Ji 2011

IIFA Awards – Tere Mast Mast Do Nain 2011

 Screen Award for Best Male Playback – 2010- 2011

Producer Guild Film Award Best Male Playback – 2011

Best Song in Sufi Tradition ‘’Sajda” – 2010

Best Asian Concert – 2008

The Musik Award – Bhardo Jholi 2008

London Asian Film Festival “Koi Dil Mein” – 2012

PTC Punjab Film Awards Best Male Playback “Mirzya” – 2013

Usha Uthup

The Legendary Singer Usha Utup who is also regarded as ‘’Didi of Bengal’’ was born in a Tamil family on November 8, 1947 in Bombay state (now Mumbai) she studied at St. Agnes High School, Byculla. When she was in school she was thrown out of music class because she didn’t fit in with a voice like hers. But her music teacher recognized that she had some music in her and would give her clappers or triangles to play.

Even though Usha Uthup was not formally trained in music, she grew up in an atmosphere of music. Her parents used to listen to a wide range from Western classical to Hindustani and Carnatic including Kishori Amonkar and Bade Ghulam Ali Khan on radio and she used to join them. She used to enjoy listening to Radio Ceylon.
Usha Uthup got a kick start from her neighbor was S.M.A. Pathan, who was then the deputy commissioner of police. His daughter, Jamila, influenced Usha Uthup to learn Hindi and take up Indian classical music. This fusion approach helped her to pioneer her unique brand of Indian pop in the 1970s.

Family

Usha Uthup’s father was a policeman, who rose to become Deputy Commissioner of police, Bombay. Her mother, a simple, yet well read, intelligent Indian housewife. Her elder sisters,

lndira and Uma, were the famous singing Sami sisters.
Uma Pocha in a Doctor,
Maya Sami is a Singer too and
Indira Shrivadhanis a travel industry executive.

Usha Uthup is married to Mr Jani Chacko Uthup who is a Businessman in Kolkata.
Usha Uthup was blessed with two children in her life. A daughter and a son.

Daughter’s name is Anjali Uthup who is a radio jockey.
Son’s name is Sunny Uthup who is an event manager who manages various types of events.

Usha Uthup and family is currently residing in Kolkata, West Bengal.

Career

Usha Uthup started singing when she was mere 9 years old and it was a public singing. Usha ji’s sisters who already started to explore their life and experience in the world of music introduced her to Ameen Sayani who was a radio announcer in those days. The radio announcer Ameen Sayani gave Usha Uthup an opportunity to sing in the ‘Ovatline Music Hour Of Radio Ceylon’
She sang a number called “Mocking Bird”.
After this mind blowing singing there were numerous chances for her to sing during her teenage years and days, she got many opportunities.

Usha Uthup started her music career in Chennai in 1969, singing in a small nightclub called Nine Gems in the basement of the erstwhile Safire Theatre complex on Mount Road, wearing a saree and leg calipers.
Her performance was so well received that the owner of the nightclub asked her to stay on for a week.

After her first night club gig, she began singing in Calcutta at night clubs such as “Trincas“. She met her future husband Uthup in Trincas.
At about the same time, she also sang at “Talk of the Town”, now known as “Not Just Jazz by the Bay” in Bombay (now Mumbai).After Trincas, her next engagement took her to Delhi where she sang at the Oberoi hotels. By happenstance, a film crew belonging to Navketan unit and Dev Anand visited the nightclub and they offered her a chance to sing movie playback.
She started her Bollywood career with Ivory- Merchant’s Bombay Talkies in 1970.

In which she sang an English number under Shanker-Jaikishan and then Hare Rama Hare Krishna.
Originally, she was supposed to sing Dum Maro Dum along with Asha Bhosle for Hare Rama Hare Krishna. However, as a result of internal politicking on the part of other singers, she lost that chance but ended up singing an English verse.

In 1968, she recorded covers of two pop songs in English, “Jambalaya”

and The Kingston Trio’s “Greenback Dollar”, on an EP, Love Story, and “Scotch and Soda”, another Kingston Trio song, which sold very well in the Indian market. She also spent some time in London during this early period. She was a frequent visitor to Vernon Corea’s BBC office at the Langham in London and was interviewed on London Sounds Eastern on BBC Radio London. Usha Uthup visited Nairobi as part of an Indian festival.

She was so popular that she was invited to stay on Singing and quite often nationalistic songs in Swahili made her extremely popular and the then President Jomo Kenyatta made her an Honorary Citizen of Kenya. She sang the famous song “Malaika” (‘Angel’) with Fadhili Williams who was the original singer. She produced a record “Live in Nairobi” with a local band Fellini Five. Usha Uthup sang several songs in the 1970s and 1980s for music directors R.D Burman (Rahul Dev Burman) and Bappi Lahiri . She also reprised some of Rahul. Dev. Burman songs that were sung by others such as “Mehbooba’‘

Dum Maro Dum

which are “Indian Rhymes for Indian Kids“, brought out by Karadi Tales.

The rhymes reflect the Indian ethos through the Sa-re-ga-ma, mangoes, Indian rivers, the train experiences, Indian festivals, indigenous trees, Cricket, Indian foods like bhelpuri and sambhar, Indian attire like the dhoti, sari, bindi and bangles and even some folk tales. With each rhyme set to an Indian raga, and sung in her characteristic voice with a feisty tempo. Usha creates the atmosphere for children and, surprisingly, even adults to sing along and dance to the toe-tapping beats. She is a stage performer and gave performances all over the world. And is known for her lively stage presence.

She recorded her first album with Luis Banks for which she was paid Rs. 3500.

Since then, she has recorded numerous albums. Usha’s Hindi version of Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough”, titled
“Chhupke Kaon Aya”

can be found on the album Tom Middleton – The Trip (2004).
A cover of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” is on another Tom Middleton album, Cosmosonica – Tom Middleton presents Crazy Covers Volume 1 (2005).

She recorded a song called “Rhythm and Blues” with the Indian rock band Parikrama which appeared on Channel V on 23 April 2007.

Acting Career

Usha Uthup is also an actress, often singing and acting in India’s signature musical films. She acted in “Pothen Vava” a Malayalam movie in 2006 as Kurisuveettil Mariyamma.

She made a cameo appearance in the movie “Bombay To Goa” with Amitabh Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha in 1972.

In 2007, she appeared in “Bow Barracks Forever” directed by Anjan Dutt as herself. Again in 2007, she appeared in “Hattrick” music video as herself.

Television

Usha Uthup appeared as a judge on a singing reality show,
Bharat Ki Shaan: Singing Star of India Season 2 (2012), aired on DD National channel, along with Ismail Darbar.
She is the judge in the Season 3 of the show as well. She also appeared as a chief guest.

for Marathi singing reality show. She entertained the audience with Marathi songs.
And as we know as her popularity in Mumbai is very much but her own land Kolkata they call her DIDI because of her immense popularity and her magical voice would always bring people’s heart out and they felt alive.
She was also called on a Bengali “Kaun banega Crorepati” called Ke hobe banglar Kotipoti.

Working with the Legends.

R.D Burman

Rambha Ho ho

Uri Uri Baba

Daud

https://youtu.be/FDXBmEruhYI

Vande Mataram

Darling

Aami Shotti Bolchhi

Bappi Lahiri

Hari Om hari

Tu Mujhe Jaan se bhi

Naaka Bandi

Na Main hu tera

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OollZyL-pQc

Awards

Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – 7Khoon Maaf.
Kalakar Award – Best Audio Album (Bangla) –
Best Playback Singer for the Film – Kabhi Pa Liya To Kabhi Kho Diya.
Ramba Mein Samba.
Mirchi Music Awards – Female Vocalist of the year – Darling.

Padma Shri Award –