24 December 2021 | Bollywood Singer

Mohammed Rafi biography:

The Legendary Mohammed Rafi was born on December 24th 1924, was an Indian Playback singing.

Maestro. He is considered as the greatest and most versatile singers of all time. Mohammed Rafi belongs to the family originally from Kotla Sultan Singh, a village near present-day Majitha in Amritsar district of Punjab, India.

Mohammed Rafi was one of the most popular singers of the Hindi film industry. Rafi was notable for his voice and versatility, his songs ranged from classical numbers to patriotic songs, sad lamentations to highly Romantic numbers, Qawwalis to Ghazals and Bhajans. He was known for his ability to mold his voice to the persona of the actor, lip-synching the song on screen in the movie.

Family of Mohammed Rafi:

Mohammed Rafi was married twice in his lifetime and had 4 sons and 3 Daughters, Namely
Saeed Rafi (from first wife) Sons – Khalid Rafi, Shahid Rafi and Hamid Rafi and Daughters – Parveen Rafi, Yashmin Rafi and Nashreen Rafi.

Mohammed Rafi Career:

Mohammed Rafi, whose nickname was Pheeko, began singing by imitating the chants of a fakir in the streets of his native village Kotla Sultan Singh where his family lived. Rafi’s father moved to Lahore in 1935, where he ran a men’s salon in Noor Mohalla in Bhati Gate.

Mohammed Rafi learnt classical music from Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan, Pandit Jiwan Lal Mattoo and Firoze Nizami. His first public performance came at the age of 13, when he sang in Lahore featuring K. L. Saigal.

In 1941, Rafi, under Shyam Sundar, made his debut in Lahore as a playback singer in the duet “Soniye Nee, Heeriye Nee” with Zeenat Begum in the Punjabi film Gul Baloch (released in 1944) under music director Shyam Sunder. In that same year, Rafi was invited by All India Radio Lahore to sing for them.

Mohammed Rafi’s debut film was ‘’Gaon Ki Chori”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z1u6x7HFLk

Between 1950 and 1970, Rafi was the most sought after singer in the Hindi film industry. Rafi is primarily noted for his songs in Hindi, over which he had a strong command. He sang around 7,405 songs in many languages.

Mohammed Rafi sang in other Indian languages including Konkani, Bhojpuri, Odia, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi, Sindhi, Kannada, Gujarati, Telugu, Magahi, Maithili and Urdu. Apart from Indian languages, he also sang songs in English, Farsi, Arabic, Sinhalese, Creole and Dutch.

Life in Bombay (present day – Mumbai)

In 1944, Mohammed Rafi moved to Mumbai. He and Hameed Sahab rented a ten-by-ten-feet room in the crowded downtown Bhendi Bazar area.

Poet Tanvir Naqvi introduced him to film producers including Abdur Rashid Kardar, Mehboob Khan and actor-director Nazeer.

Shyam Sunder was in Mumbai and provided the opportunity to Rafi to sing a duet with G. M. Durrani, “Aji dil ho kaabu mein to dildar ki aisi taisi”

For ‘’Gaon Ki Gori’’, which became Rafi’s first recorded song in a Hindi film. Other songs followed. Rafi’s first song with Naushad was “Hindustan Ke Hum Hain” with Shyam Kumar, Alauddin and others, from A. R. Kardar’s Pehle Aap (1944).

Around the same time, Rafi recorded another song for the 1945 film Gaon Ki Gori, “Aji Dil Ho Kaaboo Mein”. He considered this song to be his first Hindi language song.
Rafi appeared in two movies. In 1945, he appeared on the screen for the song “Tera Jalwa Jis Ne Dekha” in the film Laila Majnu.

Mohammed Rafi sang a number of songs for Naushad as part of the chorus, including “Mere Sapnon Ki Rani, Roohi Roohi” with K. L. Saigal, from the film Shahjahan (1946).

Rafi sang “Tera Khilona Toota Balak” from Mehboob Khan’s Anmol Ghadi (1946) and a duet with Noor Jehan in the 1947 film Jugnu, “Yahan Badla Wafa Ka”.

After partition, Rafi decided to stay back in India and had the rest of his family flown to Mumbai. Noor Jehan migrated to Pakistan and made a pair with playback singer Ahmed Rushdi.
In 1949, Rafi was given solo songs by music directors such as Naushad (Chandni Raat, Dillagi and Dulari) Shyam Sunder (Bazaar) and Husnalal Bhagatram (Meena Bazaar).
Besides K. L. Saigal, whom he considered his idol, Rafi was also influenced by G. M. Durrani. In the early phase of his career, he often followed Durrani’s style of singing, but later evolved his own, unique style.

He sang with Durrani in some of the songs such as “Humko Hanste Dekh Zamana Jalta Hai” and “Khabar Kisi Ko Nahiin, Woh Kidhar Dekhte” (Beqasoor, 1950).
In 1948, after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, the team of Husanlal Bhagatram – Rajendra Krishan-Rafi had overnight created the song “Suno Suno Ae Duniyawalon, Bapuji Ki Amar Kahani”.

Mohammed Rafi was invited by the Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to sing at his house. In 1948, Rafi received a silver medal from Jawaharlal Nehru on Indian Independence Day.

Working with Notable Music Directors:

Naushad

Naushad claimed that, Mohammed Rafi came to him with a letter of recommendation from his father. Rafi’s first song for Naushad was “Hindustan Ke Hum Hain” (“We belong to Hindustan”) for the film Pehle Aap in 1944.

The first song for the duo was the soundtrack of the movie Anmol Ghadi (1946). Before Rafi, Naushad’s favorite singer was Talat Mahmood. Once Naushad found Talat smoking during a recording.

He was annoyed, and hired Rafi to sing all the songs of the movie Baiju Bawra. Rafi’s association with Naushad helped the former establish himself as one of the most prominent playback singers in Hindi cinema.

Songs from Baiju Bawra (1952) like “O duniya ke rakhwale” and “Man tarpat hari darshan ko aaj” furthered Rafi’s credentials. Rafi ended up singing a total of 149 songs (81 of them solo) for Naushad.

In the 1960 film Mughal-E-Azam, Mohammed Rafi sang “Ae Mohabbat Zindabad”, composed by Naushad, with a chorus of 100 singers.

S.D Burman

S.D.Burman used Mohammed Rafi as a singing voice of Dev Anand and Guru Dutt. Rafi worked with Burman in 37 movies, including Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Kala Bazar, Nau Do Gyaran, Kala Pani , Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963), Guide (1965), Aradhana (1969), and Abhimaan (1973).

Shankar Jaikishan

Mohammed Rafi partnership with Shankar Jaikishan was among the most famous and successful in the Hindi film industry. Under Shankar-Jaikishan, Rafi produced some of his songs for actors like Shammi Kapoor and Rajendra Kumar. Out of six Filmfare awards, Rafi won three for S-J songs – “Teri Pyari Pyari Surat Ko“

Baharon Phool Barsao

Dil Ke Jharokhe Mein

The song “Yahoo! Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe” was sung by Rafi, only to be matched a fast-paced orchestra and a composition by Shankar Jaikishan.

S-J had Rafi give playback for Kishore Kumar in the film Shararat “Ajab hai daastan teri yeh zindagi”. Rafi sang a total of 341 numbers (216 solo) for Shankar-Jaikishan.

Among the films of this combination are Basant Bahar, Professor, Junglee, Suraj, Brahmachari, An Evening in Paris, Dil Tera Deewana, Yakeen, Prince, Love in Tokyo, Beti Bete, Dil Ek Mandir, Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai, Gaban and Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai.

Madan Mohan

Madan Mohan was another composer whose favourite singer was Rafi. Rafi’s first solo with Madan Mohan in Ankhen (1950) was “Hum Ishq Mein Barbad Hain Barbad Rahenge“.

They teamed up to produce many songs including “Teri Aankhon Ke Siva”, “Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil”, “Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho”, “Kar Chale Hum Fida” and “Meri Awaz Suno“.

Laxmikant – Pyarelal

The composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal (L-P) patronized Rafi as one of their singers, right from their very first song by him from the film Parasmani (1963). Rafi and L-P won the Filmfare Awards for the song “Chahoonga Main Tujhe Saanjh Savere” from Dosti (1964).

Rafi rendered the highest number of songs for the music director duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal: 369 numbers (186 solo) for L-P.

Once, when composer Nisar Bazmi (who had migrated to Pakistan) didn’t have enough money to pay him, Rafi charged a fee of one rupee and sang for him. He also helped producers financially.

As Laxmikant (of the Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo) once observed – “He always gave without thinking of the returns”.

Mohammed Rafi Other Contemporary Singers:

Rafi associated with several of his contemporaries, singing duets with them and sometimes for them (as in case of Kishore Kumar who was also an actor). Mohammed Rafi sang the highest number of duets with Asha Bhonsle (female), Manna Dey (male) and Lata Mangeshkar (female).

In the song “Humko Tumse Ho Gaya Hai Pyaar KyaKarein” (Amar Akbar Anthony)

Mohammed Rafi sang one song with Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, and Mukesh, the most legendary singers in Bollywood. This was probably the only time that all of them rendered their voices for one song.

Mohammed Rafi Saab’s Legacy:

Singers like S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sonu Nigam, Mahendra Kapoor, Shabbir Kumar, Mohammed Aziz and Udit Narayan were influenced by Rafi’s style of singing. Anwar (singer) also imitated Rafi’s voice.

On 22 September 2007, a shrine to Rafi designed by artist Tasawar Bashir was unveiled on Fazeley Street, Birmingham, UK.

The Padma Shri Mohammed Rafi Chowk in the Bandra suburb of Mumbai and Pune (extending MG Road) is named after Rafi. In the summer of 2008, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra released a double CD titled Rafi Resurrected comprising 16 songs by Rafi.

Bollywood playback singer Sonu Nigam provided the vocals for this project and toured with the CBSO in July 2008 at venues including the English National Opera in London, Manchester’s Apollo Theatre and Symphony Hall, Birmingham.

In June 2010, Mohammed Rafi along with Lata Mangeshkar was voted the most popular playback singer in the Outlook Music Poll, conducted by Outlook magazine. The same poll voted “Man re, tu kahe na dheer dhare” (Chitralekha, 1964), sung by Rafi as the No. 1 song.

Three songs were tied for the No. 2 place: Two were sung by Rafi. The songs were “Tere mere sapne ab ek rang hain“

(Guide, 1965) and “Din dhal jaye, hai raat na jaye” (Guide, 1965). This poll was published in Outlook. The jury included people in the Indian music industry.

As well as an award winning documentary titled Dastaan-E-Rafi directed by Rajni Acharya and Vinay Patel (which took 5 years to make) was released to commemorate his 92nd birthday which was later released on DVD.

It featured over 60 interviews of various Bollywood personas and closely recalled his story through his songs and the personal recounts. Many biographies and documentaries continue to be written and made on him.

Mohammed Rafi Academy:

Mohammed Rafi Academy was launched in Mumbai on 31 July 2010 on the 30th anniversary of the singer’s death, started by his son Shahid Rafi to impart training in Indian classical and contemporary music.

After his death, numerous Hindi movies were dedicated to Rafi, including: Allah Rakha, Mard, Coolie, Desh-Premee, Naseeb, Aas-Paas and Heeralal-Pannalal.

A song in the 1990 Hindi film Kroadh “Na Fankar Tujhsa” picturized on actor Amitabh Bachchan and sung by singer Mohammed Aziz was also dedicated to the memory of Rafi.

Rafi is one of the recording artists mentioned in the 1997 hit British alternative rock song “Brimful of Asha” by Cornershop.

Rafi’s song from the film Gumnaam (1965), “Jaan Pehechan Ho“,

Was used on the soundtrack of Ghost World (2001). The film opens with the lead character dancing around in her bedroom to a video of Gumnaam. The song has also been used for Heineken’s 2011 “The Date” commercial.

Rafi was commemorated on his 93rd birth anniversary by Search Engine Google which showed a special doodle on its Indian home page for him on 24 December 2017.

“Aaj Mausam Bada Beiman Hai“

It is featured in the 2001 film Monsoon Wedding. His “Kya Mil Gaya” (Sasural, 1961) has been used in The Guru (2002), where Ramu and Sharonna sing a version of the song.

His song “Mera Man Tera Pyasa” (Gambler, 1970) has been used as one of the soundtracks in the Jim Carrey-Kate Winslet starrer Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004).

This song is played in the background in Kate Winslet’s character’s home while the lead pair are having a drink (at approximately 00.11.14 runtime).

Collaboration:

Naushad – Hindustan Ke Hum Hain(Pehle Aap), Anmol Ghadi, O Dunia Ke Rakhwale (Birju Bavra),.
S.D Burman – Pyaasa, Kaaguz Ke Phool, Kaalaa Bazaar, Nou Do Gyaruh, Kaala Paanee, Tera Ghur Ke Saamne, Guide, Aaradhna, Ishk Pur Zor Nuhee, Abhimaan.
Shankar – Jaikishan – Teree Pyaaree Pyaaree Soorut Ko, Buhaaron Phool Bursao, Dil Ke Jhurokhe Men, Yahoo! Chaahe Koee Mujhe Junglee Kuhe,
Ajib hei daastaan teri yeh zindugi, An Evening in Paris, Dil Tera Deewana, Yakeen, Prince, Love in Tokyo.
Ravi – Chaudvin Ka Chand, Baabul Kee Duaaen Letee Jaa.
Madan Mohan – Teree Aankhon Ke Sivaa, Yeh Duniyaa Yeh Mehfil, Tum Jo Mil Guye Ho, Kur chule hum fidaa, Meree Aawaaz Suno, Aap Ke Pehlu Mein Aakur.

Awards and Nominations:

National Film Award for Best Playback Male Singer – Kya Hua Tera Wada.

Filmfare Award for Best Playback Male Singer – Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho.

Filmfare Award for Best Playback Male Singer – Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko.

Filmfare Award for Best Playback Male Singer – Chahunga Main Tujhe.

Filmfare Award for Best Playback Male Singer – Baharo Phool Barsao.

Filmfare Award for Best Playback Male Singer – Dil Ke Jharoke Mein.

Filmfare Award for Best Playback Male Singer – Kya Hua Tera Wada.

Bengal Film Journalists Association Awards – Tumsa Nahin Dekha.

Bengal Film Journalists Association Awards – Dosti.

Bengal Film Journalists Association Awards – Arzoo.

Sur Srinagar Award – Chitralekha.

Honors:

Mohammed Rafi received a silver medal from the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, on the first anniversary of the Indian Independence Day – 1948.

Honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India – 1967.

Rafi was honoured with the “Best Singer of the Millennium” by Hero Honda and Stardust magazine – 2001.

Rafi won the CNN-IBN poll for the Greatest Voice in Hindi Cinema – 2013.

1 December 2021 | Bollywood Singer

Udit Narayan Biography

Udit Narayan Jha was born to a farmer in Nepal on December 01, 1955. He did his schooling from Shree Public Bindeshawari Secondary School, Rajbiraj, Nepal.

He finished his SSC from Jageshwar High School, Kunauli, Supaul, Bihar and obtained his intermediate Degree from Ratna Rajya Lakshmi Campus, Kathmandu, Nepal and later moved to Mumbai.

On a musical scholarship for Nepalese through Indian Embassy in Nepal to study classical Music at Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan where he was mentored by “Pandit Dinkar Kaikini’” Who is known as the most prominent and successful Bollywood playback singer of all time.

His voice was just another level of melodious, he had taken a storm in 1980s and 1990s with his beautiful ‘voice, to die for’ voice. He got to sing with legends Mohammed Rafi in his Bollywood Playback debut in movie Unees-Bees in 1980 and also with Kishore Kumar in the 1980s.

He finally made his mark in 1988 movie Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak starring Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla, his song “Papa Kehte Hain” was his notable performance which earned him his first Filmfare Award in the 1980s and he established himself in Bollywood Playback Singing.

He is the only male singer in the history of the Filmfare Awards to have won in over three decades.

Family

Udit Narayan’s father was a Farmer while his mother was a Folk Dancer. He got married to Deepa Narayan Jha and have a son Aditya Narayan Jha who is a Playback singer in Bollywood.

Career

In the year 1980, He got his break to sing in a Hindi film when music director Rajesh Roshan offered him to sing in the movie “Unees Bees”.

It was big thing for Udit Narayan, as he got an opportunity to sing with his mentor, the great Mohammed Rafi. He was noticed but his real big break came in the year 1988. He sang a very famous song “Papa Kehte Hain” from the movie Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak

Which went on to become that year’s biggest hit. This song gave him instant stardom and he went on to bag his first Filmfare award. This movie was also the launch pad of actors Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla and female playback singer Alka Yagnik.

After the huge success of this movie, Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik sang for movies like Dil and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, which went on to become huge hits. Udit Narayan also tried his hand at acting and did some Nepali movies like Kusume Rumal and Pirati, which were not much successful.

But he sang in some of the most famous Nepali movies and became a famous singer in Nepal.

Though Udit Narayan was gaining much popularity, he got overshadowed by Kumar Sanu, who another famous Indian playback singer.
For five years, though he was nominated in the Best Male Playback singer category,

It was Kumar Sanu who finally won. In the year 1995, his career had a turning point when he sang the hit song “Mehendi Laga Ke Rakhna” for the movie Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaaenge.

The song went on to become a huge hit and won accolades from one and all. He won the Filmfare award for the Best Male Playback singer that year. He won his third Filmfare award the next year itself for the song “Pardesi” from the movie Raja Hindustani.

Udit Narayan is one of the most acclaimed singers of the present generation and has been praised by senior and established singers and composers for his original style and voice quality.

He is the onscreen voice of the three major superstars of Indian cinema namely Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan.

Many acclaimed music directors prefer to work with him since he is able to gel with almost everyone and give the exact feel to the song.

He is one of the top choices of acclaimed music directors like A.R. Rahman, Nadeem Shravan, Rajesh Roshan, Shankar Mahadevan, etc.

He is also a hit with major directors like Yash Chopra, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Karan Johar. Some of his superhit movies are Darr, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dil Toh Pagal Hai, Mohabbatein, Swades, Veer Zaara, Aashiqui, Lagaan, Taal, Beta, Swades, Rangeela, etc.

In the same year, Narayan sang with Kishore Kumar in the film Kehdo Pyar Hai.

Another singer he sang with was Suresh Wadkar with music composed by Bappi Lahiri.

Nepali Cinema:

Narayan’s friend Jiyand Nawab Deedag suggested he change his work from old to modern in order to be selected as a playback singer, but this didn’t work and, considering old films in 1973, Narayan sang a song for a Nepali film called Sindoor.

This was a comedy song for the famous Nepali comedians GopalRaj Mainali (Chankhe) and Basundhara Bhushal (Nakkali). Narayan sang this song with Sushma Shrestha, now known as Poornima in Hindi films.

Narayan has also acted in two Nepali films – Kusume Rumal and Pirati in 1985. In 2004, he released his first non-movie Nepalese album, Upahaar. in which he sang duets with his wife Deepa Jha. Narayan has many solo albums as well, such as.

Bhajan Sangam

Guinness Book of Record:

In 2015 Udit Narayan was involved in a mega series campaign Melancholy, where 421 Nepali artists had sung a 33 minutes 49-second long environmental song, in which 365 artists set a Guinness World Record on 19 May 2016 at Radio Nepal Studio, Singhadurbar, Kathamandu. It is written, composed and directed by environmentalist Nipesh.

Television:

Udit Narayan has appeared on many Television shows as a Judge and as a guest.
He was one of the panel of judges of Indian Idol 3 in 2007 with music composer Anu Malik and playback singer Alisha Chinai on Sony TV.

Narayan was on the panel of judges on Sony TV for Waar Parriwar, A reality show based on the bringing together of a singing gharana (family of singers).

He shared judging duties with fellow playback singer Kumar Sanu and Jatin Pandit of the music duo Jatin-Lalit. Narayan has appeared on Jo Jeeta Wohi Super Star and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs as a guest.

Collaboration:

Anand – MIlind – Meri Nayi Baansi Ki Dhun, Ae Mere Humsafar, Papa Kehte Hain, Lal Dupatta Malmal Ka, Na Jaane Kyu Me Bekarar, Mujhe Neendh Na Aaye, Hum Ne Ghar Choda Hain, Hum Pyaar Karne Wale, Dhak Dhak Karne Laga, Koyal Si Teri Boli, Phoolon Sa Chehra Tera.

Laxmikant – Pyaarelal – Log Jahan Par Rehte Hain, Ek Doosre Se Karte Hain Pyaar Hum

Nadeem – Shravan – Mera Dil Tere Liye Dhadakta Hain, I Love You, Aaye Ho Meri Zindagi Mein, Pardesi Pardesi, Kitna Pyaara Tujhe Rab Hain, Dil Ki Dhadkan Rehti Hain, Dil Ne Ye Kahan Hain Dil Se, Na Na Karte Pyaar, Jo Bhi Kasmein, Kitna Bechein Hoke, Zindagi Ban Gaye Ho Tum,

Anu Malik – Jawani Deewani, Raja Ko Rani Se Pyaar Hogaya, Ram Jaane, Ho Nahi Sakta, Ishq Hua Kaise Hua, Dekho Dekho Jaanam, Neendh Churai Meri, Chandni Aaya Hain Tera Deewana. Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega, Dil Dil Deewana, Dekhne Waalon Ne.

A.R Rahman – E Ajnabi, Taal Se Taal Mila, Radha Kaise Na Jale, Mitwa, Ghanan Ghanan, O Ri Chori, Yuhi Chala Chal, Yeh Tara, Woh Tara

Awards and Honours:

Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer

Papa Kehte Hai Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak – 1988
Mehndi Lagake Rakhna Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge – 1995
Pardesi Pardesi Raja Hindustani – 1996
Chand Chupa Badal Mein Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam – 1999

National & Filmfare Award – Mitwaa Lagaan – 2000

National Award – Yeh Tara Woh Tara Swades – 2005

National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer Mitwaa Lagaan – 2005

National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer Chhote Chhote Sapne Zindagi Khoobsurat Hai – 2003

National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Yeh Tara Swades 2005

Star Screen Award Best Male Playback – Aye Ho Meri Zindagi Mein Raja Hindustani 1996
Star Screen Award Best Male Playback Woh Chand Jaisi Ladki Devdas 1996
Zee Cine Awards Best Playback Male Singer – Chand Chupa Badal Mein Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam 2000
IIFA Award for Best Male Playback– Chand Chupa Badal Mein Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam 2000
Prabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu from Late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev in Nepal
Hits FM Music Awards 2004(Nepal)- Record of the Year for the song “Kahile Timro” and Album of the Year for the album “Upahaar”

30 November 2021 | Bollywood Singer

Vani Jairam:

Vani Jairam was born on November 30 in Vellore in Tamil Nadu, in a family of musicians. Her mother is the disciple of Ranga Ramunaja Iyengar, a great veena exponent. Kadaloor Sreenivasa Iyengar, who taught Vani’s sister music, was fascinated by her observation and grasping power. He taught her a few Deekshidar kritis when she was hardly five.

The fifth daughter in a family of six daughters and three sons, Vani always secretly yearned for a career in film playback singing. Considered to be a child prodigy, Vani Jairam claims to have recognized the different ragas of Indian classical music before the age of five. In addition, she has recorded thousands of devotionals and private albums and also participated in numerous solo concerts in India and abroad.

Vani Jairam studied Carnatic music under the tutelage of Kadalur Srinivasa Iyengar, T. R. Balasubramanian and R. S. Mani. Her Hindustani light-classical music guru was Ustad Abdul Rahman Khan.
After her marriage to Jayaram, she settled in Mumbai, a city where she realized her dream.

Family:

Vani got married to Mr. Jairam in 1969.

Knowing Vani Jairam’s singing skills, Jairam persuaded Vani to get trained in Hindustani classical music and she enrolled under Ustad Abdul Rehman Khan of the Patiala Gharana. Her rigorous training under him made her quit her bank job and take up music as her profession. She learned the nuances of various vocal forms such as Thumri, Ghazal, and Bhajan under Khan’s tutelage and gave her first public concert in 1969.

Career:

Renowned for her vocal range and easy adaptability to any difficult composition, Vani Ji has often been the choice for several composers across India through the 1970s until the late 1990s. She has sung in several Indian languages, such as Tamil Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Odia, Gujarati, and Bengali languages.

Vani Jairam was introduced to the composer Vasant Desai who was recording a Marathi album with singer Kumar Gandharva. Upon listening to her voice, Desai roped in her to sing the song

Runanubandhacha

for the same album along with Kumar Gandharva. The album released too much popularity among the Marathi audience and the duet song was well received. She sang with the veteran vocalist of Agra charan Pt. Dinkar Kaikini in movie “Meera”. The music was given by none other than Pt. Ravi Shankar.

Telugu Cinema:

In 1970, she realized her childhood ambition of becoming a film playback singer when the veteran Hindi film music director, Vasant Desai chose her voice for the Hindi feature film Guddi. She recorded three songs for that film. Bol Re Papi Hara, her song from the film, based on the Hindustani raga Miyan Malhar, instantly made her a household name in the different corners of India.

Vani Jairam recorded her first Telugu song for the film Abhimanavanthulu (1973).

The song “Eppativalekaadura Naa Swami” composed by S.P Kodandapani was a classical dance-based song. Vani Jairam songs for the film Pooja in 1975.

Anahata Nee Roopam

Poojalu Cheya Poolu Tecchanu

Ennenno Janmala Bandham

Brought her to the forefront in Telugu cinema. The songs “Poojalu Cheya” and “Ennenno Janmala Bandham” became household hits and cemented her position. It was for K. Vishwanath’s musical film Sankarabharam (1979), Vani towered her popularity.

Vani Jairam went on to collaborate with director Viswanath and music director K. V. Mahadevan for many films like Seetamalakshmi (1978),

Sruthilayalu (1987),

Sankarabharanam and Swati Kiranam. Later in 1990, the same team produced the film Swati Kiranam which was again musically noted, and all the songs sung by Vani were received well. She received her third National Film Award for the film.

Apart from K. V. Mahadevan, Vani recorded many Telugu songs for Rajan – Nagendra, Satyam, Chakravarthy, M.S Vishwanathan, and Llayarjun. She recorded most of the dubbed songs from Tamil composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

Tamil Cinema:

While Vani Jairam’s popularity continued to soar in Bollywood cinema, she started getting offers from the South Indian industry. In 1973, she recorded her first Tamil song for the film Thayum Seiyum under the music direction of S. M. Subbaiah Naidu.

However, the film remains unreleased to date and the song remained in the cans. Her first released song was a duet romantic song with T. M. Soundararajan for the film Veettukku Vandha Marumagal (1973). The song “Or Idam Unnidam” was composed by the duo Sankar Ganesh, with whom, Vani went on to record maximum songs in Tamil cinema. Immediately after this, she was employed by one of the most successful director-composer duos, K. Balachander and M. S. Viswanathan, for their successful film Sollathaan Ninaikkiren.

Thus began her long association with the top-rated music directors in Tamil cinema. Her biggest break came through the song “Malligai En Mannan Mayangum from the film Dheerga Sumangali (1974), again composed by M. S. Viswanathan. The song received laurels and accolades for both its composition and vocal rendition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAeifBAU-Ns

The songs “Ezhu Swarangalukkul“

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3zZDGQ8AMc

Kelviyin Nayagane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_h7F2opfQc

Made her popularity soar to heights and she became known as the singer who would always get selected to sing difficult compositions. She was flooded with singing offers from all the top-rated music composers including –
M. S. Viswanathan
Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan
Sankar Ganesh
V. Kumar
K. V. Mahadevan
G. K. Venkatesh and Vijaya Bhaskar.

In 1977, The first recorded her voice for Ilaiyaraaja’s composition in the film Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri
With Ilaiyaraaja, Vani went on to record many popular songs in the 1980s for the films such as –
Mullum Malarum (1978)Rosappo Ravikaikaari (1979)
Anbulla Rajinikanth (1984)
Nooravathu Naal (1984)
Vaidehi Kathirunthal (1984)
Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1985) and Punnagai Mannan (1986).

In 1994, composer A. R. Rahman recorded Vani Jairam’s voice for the film Vandicholai Chinraasu for a duet song with S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.

Later in 2014, she recorded a portion of the Thiruppugazh composed by A.R Rahman, for the period film Kaaviyathalaivan and followed it with the song “Narayana” in the film Ramanujan.

Vani Jairam recorded hundreds of Tamil songs both in solo and duet formats. Many of her duet songs have been recorded along with T. M. Soundararajan, P. B. Srinivas, K. J. Yesudas, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, and Jayachandran.

Ezhu Swarangalukkul

Eliviyin Nayagane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_h7F2opfQc

Ennulil Engo

Yaaradhu Sollamal

Megamae Megamae

Kavidhai Kelungal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwwd7_IxkiA

Nadhamenum Kovililae

Malayalam:

Vani Jairam made her Malayalam debut in 1973 by recording the solo song “Sourayudhathil Vidarnnoru” composed by Salil Chowdhary for the film Swapna. The song became hugely popular giving good credibility to Vani and gave her career a breakthrough. She went on to record over 600 songs in Malayalam cinema. Vani collaborated with all the popular Malayalam composers such as M. K. Arjunan
G. Devarajan
M. S. Viswanathan
R. K. Shekhar
V. Dakshinamoorthy
M. S. Baburaj
Shyam
A. T. Ummer
M. B. Sreenivasan K. Raghavan
Jerry Amaldev
Kannur Rajan

Vani Jairam’s rendition for the song “Aashada Maasam“, composed by R. K. Shekhar for the film Yudhabhoomi (1976) met with wide appreciation and further increased her popularity. In 1981, she sang “Kanana Poikayil Kalabham” along with K. J. Yesudas in the composition of M. K. Arjunan for the film Ariyapedatha Rahasyam directed by P. Venu. After a long hiatus, Vani returned to Malayalam cinema in 2014 by recording a duet song for the film 1983,[13] and followed it up with a duet song in Action Hero Biju (2016).

Some of Vani’s Malayalam songs including –
Etho janma kalpanayil
Poo kondu poo mood (Palangal)
Manjil chekkerum (Raktham)
Onnanam Kunninmel (Airhostess)
nanam nin kannil (kelkatha sabdham)
Manju pozhiyunnu (Uthradarathri)

Bollywood:

Vani Jairam’s first film ever in Bollywood was the breakthrough film Guddi. And after that Vasant Desai decided to launch her.
She met Vasant Desai and he offered Vani to record three songs in the film amongst which the song “Bole Re Papihara“

Featuring Jaya Bachchan in the lead role, became a talk-of-the-town song and gave her instant recognition.
Composed in Miyan Ki Malhar raag, the song donated her classical talent and subsequently fetching her many laurels and awards including the Tansen Samman (for the best classical-based song in a Hindi film), the Lions International Best Promising Singer award, the All India Cinegoers Association award, and the All India Film-goers Association award for the Best Playback Singer in 1971. Her other song Humko Mann Ki Shakti

Dena became a school prayer since the release of the song in 1971 and continues to be even now. She toured entire Maharashtra state accompanying her mentor, Desai, and taught many Marathi songs for school children.
She went on to sing a few songs each for music directors of Hindi cinema, which remain popular, including the Chitragupta song, a classical Naushad compositions More Saajan Souten Ghar from Pakeezah (1972), and Dulhan Badi Jadugarni

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLLLIhNKF38

A duet with Asha Bhosle in Aaina – 1977 Madan Mohan composition Pyar Kabhi Kam Na Karna Sanam, a duet with Kishore Kumar in the film Ek Mutthi Aasmaan (1973), R. D. Burman song Zindagi Mein Aap Aaye, a duet with Mukesh in Chhalia (1973), Shyamji Ghanshyamji composition Teri Jheel Si Gehri from film Dhuan Ki Lakeer, a duet with Nitin Mukesh, and the solo song Aa Balam composed by Kalyanji Anandji in the film Dharm Aur Qanoon.

She sang several songs composed by O.P. Nayyar from the film Khoon Ka Badla Khoon (1978) including duets with Mohammed Rafi and also with Uttara Kelkar and Pushpa Pagdhare). She sang the duet song Maine Tumhe Paa Liya with Rafi composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal in Jurm Aur Sazaa, and a duet with Manna Dey in Parinay (1974) composed by Jaidev and the solo song Pee Kahan in Solva Sawan (1979) by Jaidev.

Other Languages:

Vani Jairam has made recordings in Gujarati, Marathi, Haryanvi, Bengali, Proya, English, Bhojpuri, Rajasthani, Bagada, Urdu, Sanskrit, Punjabi, and Tulu.

She has been awarded many prestigious awards, among them are Best Female Playback Singer for states of Gujarat (1975), Tamil Nadu (1980), and Orissa (1984). One of her most famous Marathi songs, “Runanubandhachya”, is a duet with the classical Hindustani singer Kumar Gandharva. This song was composed by Vani’s mentor Vasant Desai for a Marathi drama called Dev Deenaghari Dhaavlaa.

Collaboration:

Naushad -More Saajan Souten Ghar (Pakeezah), Dulhan Badi Jadugarni (Aaina)
Madan Mohan – Pyaar Kabhi Kam Na Karna Sanam (Ek Mutthi Aasman)
R.D Burman – Zindagi Me Aap Aaye (Chhalia),
Shyamji Ghanshyamji – Teri Jheel Si Gehri (Dhuan Ki Lakeer), Aa Balam (Dharam Aur Qanoon)
O.P Nayyar – Khoon Ka Badla Khoon,
Laxmikant – Pyaarelal – Maine Tumhe Paa Liya (Jurm Aur Saaya)
Jaidev – Pee Kahan (Solva Saawan)
Pandit Ravi Shankar – Mere Toh Girdhar Gopal.

Awards:

National Film Award
Best Female Playback Singer Tamil – 1975.
Best Female Playback Singer Telugu – 1980.
Best Female Playback Singer Telugu – 1991.
Filmfare Award For Best Female Playback Singer – 1980.

Gujarat State Film Award – 1972
Tamil Nadu State Film Award – 1979.
Nandi Award For Best Female Playback Singer – 1979.
Odisha State Film Award for Best Singer – 1982.
Mian Tansen Award Best Film Playback singer of ‘Classical Song’ – 1972.
Film World award – 1992.
Lifetime Achievement Award from Tamil Nadu Government – 2004.
Kumukara Award for her outstanding contribution to film music in general and all four South Indian Languages – 2005.

Lifetime Achievement Award from Music Mirchi – 2014.

Asiavision Award – Best Playback Singer Award 2014.
Lifetime Achievement Award from Raindrops on Women Achievers Award Ceremony Chennai – 2015.
Red FM Music Awards – 2016
Vanitha Film Awards – 2017.
Ghantasala National Award – 2017.
North American Film Awards New York – 2017.
M.S Subbulakshmi Award given by Sankara Nethraiya – 2018.
Pravasi Express Awards Singapore, Lifetime Achievement Award – 2018.

24 November 2021 | Bollywood Singer

Papon Biography

Angarag Mahanta a.k.a Papon was born on November 24, 1975 in Guwahati, Assam. He was in Assam most of his childhood and was introduced to music at a very early age.

Family

His father Khagen Mahanta was a singer and composer of folk and traditional music of Assam. Khagen Mahanta was a notable person in Assamese folk music and known as the “King of Bihu“. His Bihu songs, Borgeet and other folk songs remain popular in Assam.

Papon’s Mother Archana Mahanta was a renowned folk singer from Assam. Archana Mahanta and her late husband Khagen Mahanta had an enormous contribution in popularizing and preserving Assamese folk music.

Papon got married to Shweta Mahanta.

Career

Papon was initially trained for Indian Classical music since his childhood and also in the devotional music and folk music in Assamese. He has learnt all his music and singing from Khol, Tabla, Guitar and Harmonium.

When he makes or produces any music it covers mostly Ambient Electronic, Acoustic Folk and new age Indian Classical music. It has been identified as having traces of pentatonic Mongoloid notes, local river song influences and ghazals. Although his first language is Assamese he has also sung in Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Marathi and Bengali.

Papon’s 2018 song “Baba Bolta Hain Bas Ho Gaya” from the movie Sanju, comments on differences between the real Sanju and the “reel” Sanju. A noted 2016 Bollywood song is “Labon ka karobar” from the film Befikre. In 2016, he sang “Bulleya” for the film Sultan.

In 2015, he sang “Moh moh ke dhage” by Anu Malik for the film ‘’Dum Laga Ke Haisha’’ and “Humnava” in Humari Adhuri Kahani (2015). In 2014, he sang “Lakeerein“.

Which is a poem by Gulzar, for the film “Kya Dilli Kya Lahore” and “Sun ri Bavli” for Nagesh Kukunoor’s film Lakshmi.

In 2014 only he also had sung two songs “Sun le re” and “Khudse” from the movie Madras Cafe (2013). He recorded a hit song “Kyon”

He has also sung the title song from Inkaar (2013). His first big song in Bollywood was “Jiyein kyun” from the movie Dum Maro Dum.

Papon released his first album, Junaki Raati in Assamese at the end of 2004, marking a new kind of regional sound. The second album he produced was Sinaaki Osinaaki, which was released in November, 2009.

Papon has also sung on a few other albums produced by various artists in Assam. His first folk music album was Rangphul a Bihu album, after which he produced Gomseng and subsequently, Phagunor Gaan an album representing the typical holi songs of Barpeta in West Assam.

He sang on a devotional Borgeet album called Chandamukhi and is working on a traditional folk album of Tokari songs. On the first edition of Coke Studio @ MTV, he performed on the popular Bihu song Pak Pak.

Hindi Songs of Papon

Banao
Naina Lagey
Angarag Mahanta
Maaru Amdavad
Janta Rocks
Na Ishq Kariyo Jhalle
Enne Unne
Kaun Mera

Assamese Songs

Rowd Hoi Aha Tumi
Nodi Mathu
Pawe Pari
Mathu Tumi
Kola Kola Endhare

Collaborations

Papon has been collaborated with many music composers and other singers as well. Before falling in the hands of controversies which bought a halt to his career but later all the allegations proved wrong and it was good.

Papon has performed with the Midival Punditz and Karsh Kale at various festivals around the world including the Paleo Music Festival in Switzerland, Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival in Jakarta, Mosaic Music Festival in Singapore and Oslo World Music Festival in Norway.

Aside from performing with them, Papon has co-written a couple of songs with the MIDIval Punditz that featured on their third album. Hello which ranked among the top three songs on Amazon. worldwide.

He collaborated with the Welling Jazz Band, in Wellington, New Zealand, for a project playing some of his music during Crossings festival held in Wellington, New Zealand in 2007. Also in the project was Rhian Sheehan, a popular electronic artist and producer from Wellington.

He also wrote a song with Karsh Kale for his new album Cinema. He is working on two international collaborations which were to be released in 2012

Television

Papon was successful enough in his career to judge someone on the basis of his experience and knowledge about his music and sense of judgement. He has been a judge on the reality television show called Voice of India Kids.

Collaboration

Pritam – Dum Maaro Dum (Jiyein Kyu), Kyon (Barfi), Sun Zara (Bhopal), Chaav Laga (Sui Dhaaga), Jeans Pant Aur Choli (Ishqeria), Yaadein (Ishqeria)

Anu Malik – Moh Moh Ke Dhaage (Dum Laga Ke Haisha), Prem’s Theme (Dum Laga Ke Haisha), Daana Paani (Qareeb Qareeb Single)

Amit Trivedi – Darbaan (Bombay Velvet), Jhuk Na Paunga (Raid), Vande Mataram (India’s Most Wanted).

Awards

Prag Cine Awards 2012 Best Playback Singer Male – Ramdhenu 2012.
GIMA Awards 2012 – The Story So far.
GIMA Awards 2015 – Best Pop Album Coke Studio at MTV Season 3
22nd Screen Awards – Moh Moh Ke Dhaage
8th Mirchi Award – Male Vocalist of the Year
Times OF India Film Awards 2016 – Best Playback Singer (Male)
GIMA Awards 2016 – Best Playback Singer (Male)
17th IIFA Awards – Best Playback Singer (Male)

23 November 2021 | Bollywood Singer

Legendary Singer Of India Geeta Dutt Biography

Geeta Dutt born on November 23, 1930, was one of the 10 children born to a wealthy Zamindar family in the village Idilpur presently Shariatpur District, Bangladesh. Was a prominent Indian playback singer and a famous Hindi and Bengali classical artist. She found particular prominence as a playback singer in Hindi cinema. She also sang many modern Bengali songs, both in the film and non-film genres.

K. Hanuman Prasad took Geeta under his patronage, trained and groomed her in singing, and later launched her into singing for movies. In 1946, she got the first break with an opportunity to sing in the mythological film Bhakta Prahlad for which Prasad was the music director. She was given two lines to sing for two songs. She was sixteen at that time.

She Married Actor-Director Guru Dutt in 1953.

And had 3 children Tarun Dutt, Geeta Dutt, and Arun Dutt.

Story of Guru and Geeta Dutt:

The famous playback singer Geeta Roy was recording the song ‘Tadbeer Se Bigdi Huyi Taqdeer,‘ in the presence of the director of the movie, Guru Dutt, and the Music Director, SD Burman among others. Though her singing left every listener beseeching for more, Guru, in particular, was flabbergasted by how the singer, almost intuitively, Occidentalized a ghazal into a jazzy seductive song!

Amongst those enamored by her singing was Guru Dutt’s mother. Soon, Geeta Roy became a regular visitor of the Dutt. Though a huge star-singer with an awesome fan following, Geeta molded herself as part of Guru Dutt’s household as though she was born in it.

Even today everyone beguilingly recalls sweet temperament, her lack of artificiality, affection, and her complete candor. She would simply take down the harmonium from their shelf and sing Bengali songs.

It was only a matter of time before Guru Dutt fell head over heels in love with his regular visitor. They were married on May 26, 1953. Thus were born some of the most achingly romantic songs of the 50’s- those nuggets of love and its various facets which materialized because there was love in the air.

Guru Dutt and Geeta Dutt formed a perfect team. He knew exactly how to use her voice and he used it in ways so that her inane generosity of spirit spilled over on the soundtrack in stunning romantic declarations.

Geeta dutt famous songs: ‘Hoon Abhi main jawan’, ‘Jaa Jaa Jaa bewafa’, ‘Babu Ji Dheere chalna’ and ‘Yeh lo main haari piya’ in Aar Paar (1954) were like a prolonged outburst of harmonious sensations. Even today Geeta Dutt explodes on the streamlined soundtrack with a velvety velocity.

Singing Career:

After getting married to Guru Durr on May 26, 1953. Thus were born some of the most achingly romantic songs of the 50’s- those nuggets of love and its various facets which materialized because there was love in the air.

Guru Dutt and Geeta Dutt formed a perfect team. He knew exactly how to use her voice and he used it in ways, so that her inane generosity of spirit spilled over on the soundtrack in stunning romantic declarations.

Hoon Abhi Main Jawan
Jaa jaa jaa bewafa
Babu ji dheere chalna

Yeh Lo Main Haari Piya

Aar Paar (1954) were like prolonged outburst of harmonious sensations. Even today Geeta Dutt explodes on the streamlined soundtrack with a velvety velocity.

The mood of saucy romance the pervades the films Aar Paar (1954) or Mr. and Mrs. 55 (1955) owe as much to Geeta Dutt’s vibrant vocals which seize the soundtrack in ceaseless spells of splendor and sublimity, as their popularity to the legendary status that Guru Dutt’s cinema enjoyed, giving her songs far more air-space than other, possibly more deserving prospects which got eclipsed by them.

R.D. Burman heard Geeta ji’s voice and immediately decided to have her sing in Do Bhai.

Geeta ji had this unconventional way of singing. The time was when most singing styles had origins of ghazals. Geeta ji who had this innate talent, with no formal training in the singing of the type of songs that were in vogue at that time, introduced her own brand of the appealingly fresh and free-flowing style of singing.

Her singing was based on instincts and spontaneity, guts and feelings, and love and pensiveness that resulted in breathing life and emotion into each song she sang.
Geeta Dutt’s singing life was largely influenced by her personal life. During the romance and early years of her marriage she sang some of her best songs for pictures involved with Guru Dutt in one capacity or another.

Some of the most beautiful romantic songs Geeta ji sang were during these days and they were spilled and richly splashed with her youthfully exuberant voice.

Gujarati Songs:

After her debut in Hindi film music in the year 1946, Geeta started gaining popularity in a short period of time. The very next year she became the most sensational voice with the success of songs from Do Bhai (1947). This led the composers from the Gujrati film industry to approach her for singing in Gujarati films.

Avinash Vyas was one of the most prolific and talented composers of Gujrati film music. He was already working with Geeta Dutt for his Hindi films and thus Geeta became a natural choice for singing in his Gujrati film songs right from the year 1948.

A detailed discussion on her work in Gujarati films. Almost simultaneously, she was pulled in for Karyavar, with music by Ajit Merchant.

Vyas’ Nanand Bhojai and Vaarasdar

Even though for living 30 years in Bombay (Mumbai) Geeta Ji might not have a perfect accent, maybe that is the reason she did not receive much chance to sing Marathi songs in her career.

When she got all of those chances to sing the songs with great ease of rendition and a rare depth of feeling – both hallmarks of her singing in any case.

Some of the Marathi Songs –

Mukhya Manache Bol
Jaa Saang laxmanaa Saang
Ambabai cha Jogwa

Bengali Songs

Shachimata Go Char Juge Hai
Ekhan-O Dustar Lajja
Katha Achhe Tumi Aj Asbe

Singing in the tune of big Music Directors

S.D Burman

“Mera Sundar Sapna Beet Gaya” (Do Bhai – 1947)

“Woh Sapne Waali Raat” (Pyaar – 1950)
“Tadbir Se Bigdi Hui Taqdeer” (Baazi – 1951)
“Aan Milo Aan Milo” (Devdas – 1955)
O.P Nayyar
Zara Saamne Aa (Baaz – 1953)
Babuji Dhire Chalna (Aar Paar – 1954)
Thandi Hawa Kali Ghata (Mr. & Mrs. ’55 – 1955)

Hemant Kumars

Kaise Rokoge Aaise Toofan ko

Na Jaao Saiyaan Chod Ke Saiyaan

Jai Jagdish Hare

Government Recognition

Looking for her contribution to the Indian Cinema Indian Government had introduced Postal Stamps in her name in 2013 and 2016.

Collaboration:

S.D Burman – Mera Sundar Sapna Beet Gaya (Do Bhai), Woh Sapne Waali Raat (Pyaar), Tadbir Se Bigdi Hui Taqdeer (Baazi) ,Aan Milo Aan Milo (Devdas) , Jane kya tune kahi (Pyaasa) ,Hum Aap Ke Aankhon Main (Pyaasa)
Hawa Dhire Aana (Sujata).

O.P Nayyar – Zara Saamne Aa (Baaz), Babuji Dhire Chalna (Aar Paar), Thandi Hawa Kali Ghata (Mr. & Mrs), Jaane Kahan Mera Jigar Gaya Ji (Mr. & Mrs) , Jab Badal Lehraya (Chhoomantar), Mere Zindagi Ke Humsafar (Shrimati 420), Jaata Kahan Hai” (CID – 1956).

Hemant Kumar – Na Jao Saiyaan Chhuda Ke Baiyaan (Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam), Kaise Roko Ge Aise Toofan Ko (Anandmath), Madbhari Hain Pyar Ki Palken (Fashion), Na Yeh Chand Ho Ga (Shart), Piya Aiso Jiya Mein Samaye Gayo (Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam) , Chale Aao Chale Aao (Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam)

Madan Mohan – Aye Dil Mujhe Bata De (Bhai Bhai)

30 September 2021 | Bollywood Singer

Shantanu Mukherjee Biography:

Shantanu Mukherjee a.k.a Shaan was born on Sept 30^th 1972 in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh in a Bengali family. Shaan’s grandfather was a lyricist ‘’Jahar Mukherjee’’ and his father was a music director ‘’Manas Mukherjee’’ and sister Sagrika is also a singer and Shaan’s father passed away when he was just 13 years old, his mother found a job as a singer thereafter.

Shantanu Mukherjee Career:

In the very young age Shaan has given jingles for many advertisements after giving a few jingles he shifted to sound mixing, remixes and cover versions.

In the year 1989 for the movie Parinda he was only 17 years old shaan had just sang a single line in the song ‘Kitni Hain Pyari Dosti Hamari’. Shaan and his sister used to work together for the sounds and songs, Shaan and his sister Sagrika Mukherjee’s career had taken a kick start when they signed for a Magnasound recording company and recorded a few successful albums including ‘Naujawan’ and ‘Q-Funk’ which was a biggest hit and had sold over a million copies.

Along with other remixes there was another remix called ”Roop Tera Mastana” a song by R.D Burman. Shaan launched Loveology after this, which was well received. He wrote the lyrics of the ballad “Bhool Ja” on his second album Tanha Dil, which appeared in the charts within days of its release and was popular on radio.

Shaan launched his album Aksar, which was successful and contained songs featuring international stars such as Blue, Mel C and Samira Said. For both the albums Tanha Dil and Aksar, Shaan sang, composed and wrote the lyrics of all the songs, except the title track “Tanha Dil“, which was composed by Ram Sampath.

He released Tomar Aakash in 2004, a Bengali album, along with his sister and featuring his father’s unreleased songs.

Shaan not only sings in Hindi language but also Other Popular songs by Shaan are – Bengali, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Marathi, Assamese, Malayalam, Odia and Sindhi film songs.

Popular songs by Shaan include hits such as “Musu Musu” (influenced by a hit Nepali song); “Wo Pehli Baar” from Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi; “Tune Mujhe Pehchaana Nahin” from Raju Chacha; “Apni Yaadon Ko” from Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat; “Nikamma Kiya Is Dil Ne” from Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa

O Re Kanchi” from Asoka; “Yeh Hawein” from Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai; “Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe” and “Woh Ladki Hai Kahan” from Dil Chahta Hai; “Subha Ho Gayi Mamu” from Munna Bhai M.B.B.S; “Suno Na” and “Tera Muskurana” from Jhankaar Beats; “It’s The Time To Disco” and “Kuch To Hua Hai” from Kal Ho Na Ho

“En Panchhiyon” from Koi Mil Gaya “Prem Hoy je keno” from Teen Patti;”Dus Bahane” from Dus; “Shikdum” from Dhoom; “Main Aisa Kyun Hoon” from Lakshya; “Ladki Kyun” from Hum Tum; “My Dil Goes Mmmm” from Salaam Namaste; “Where’s The Party Tonight” and “Rock And Roll Soniye” from Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

“Chori Chori Chhora Chhori” from Masti; “Main Hoon Don” from Don – The Chase Begins Again; “Hey Shona” from Ta Ra Rum Pum; “Do U Wanna Partner” and “You’re My Love” from Partner; “Insha Allah” and “Welcome” from Welcome

“Bum Bum Bole” from Taare Zameen Par; “Aao milo chalo” from Jab We Met, “Kuch Kam” from Dostana; “Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh” from 3 Idiots; the popular songs “Chand Sifarish” from the movie Fanaa; “Dastaan-e-Om Shanti Om” from the movie Om Shanti Om; “Jab Se Tere Naina” from the movie Saawariya, “Do You Know” from Housefull 2

Television Hosting:

Shaan has hosted many T.V shows in his career as a part of being on television except for the mic.

Shaan hosted the television show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa on Zee TV between the years 2000–2006, which won the Music Program of the Year award at the Indian Telly Awards in 2003.

Shaan is now the host of a music show called Star Voice of India (SVOI) which airs on Star Plus. He was offered the role of host for Star Voice of India Chote Ustaad, but opted out to spend time with his family.

However, he returned to host the next season of Star Voice of India.
In June 2015, Shaan was introduced as a coach in the first season of the singing-based reality TV show The Voice.

Collaborations:

Aadesh Srivastava – Tarkeib, Bas Itna Sa Khwaab hain, Deewanapan

Shankar – Ehsaan – Loy – Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe, Woh Ladki Hain Kahan (Dil Chahta Hain), Yaar Apne Ghar Jao, Yeh Sama (Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hain?), Dil Mein Dhadkan, Rang De Rang De, Sari Sari Raina (Nayee Padosan)

Vishal – Shekhar – Musu Musu Hasi, Wo Pehli Baar (Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi),

Anu Malik – Aur Mohabbat Hain, Kasam Ki Kasam, Prem Prem Prem (Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon)

Awards:

MTV Asia Music Award Best Solo Album – Tanha Dil.
Zee Cine Award Best Playback Singer – Jab Se Tere Naina from Saawariya, Chand Sifarish from Fanaa & Suno Na from Jhankaar Beats.
Bollywood Movie Awards Best Male Playback – Chand Sifarish from Fanaa.
Star Screen Awards Best Male Playback – Chand Sifarish from Fanaa.
Filmfare Best Male Playback Award – Jab Se Tere Naina from Saawariya, Chand Sifarish from Fanaa, Dus Bahane from Dus, Nikamma” from Kya Dil Ne Kahan.
IIFA Best Male Playback Award – Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh from 3 Idiots, Jab Se Tere Naina from Saawariya, Chand Sifarish from Fanaa.

19 September 2021 | Bollywood Singer

Lucky Ali Biography

Lucky Ali was born on September 19th 1958 he is one of the 9 children of Mehmood Ali who was predominantly known as Mehmood. Lucky Ali’s Mother Mahelaka, was part Bengali and part Pashtun, and the sister of 1960s Indian actress Meena Kumari.

The Bollywood actress and dancer, Minoo Mumtaz, is his paternal aunt. He attended City Montessori school, Convent of Jesus and Mary, Hampton Court, Mussoorie, Manekji Cooper (Kindergarten) (Juhu), Bombay Scottish School in Mumbai, and the Bishop Cotton Boys’ School, Bangalore.

Family

Lucky Ali was married twice in his life , his first wife was Meaghan Jane McCleary from which he had two daughters Ta’awwuz and Tasmiyah.

Lucky Ali’s second wife is Inaya (Anahita, a Persian). He has two children with his second wife, Sara and Raiyan.

He married a third time in 2010 to British model and former beauty queen Kate Elizabeth Hallam who he got divorced with in 2017. The couple have a son named Dani Maqsood Ali.

Lucky Ali and his father Mehmood Ali had an unbreakable bond and a tempestuous relationship.

Mehmood Ali was a very busy actor in the 1960s and 70s, and remained away from home for his shoots. Once, around the age of four when Ali first returned from boarding school, Mehmood and the entire family had come to receive Ali after 10 months in boarding school, at the airport. Ali did not recognize his father, but on seeing him said, “He’s the film comedian Mehmood!”

Ali lived away from his family in a boarding school in Dehradun, Mussoorie. Ali’s tryst with marijuana led Mehmood to write the script of the movie Dushman Duniya Ka (Enemy of the World).

The movie stars Ali’s youngest brother, Manzoor. It is the story of the drug abuse of a young man called Lucky.

Career

Lucky Ali is one of the very few musicians who got successful in the very starting of his career he has a very deep and emotional voice. Lucky Ali made his debut along with his album Sunoh .

This album won many of the top awards in Indian music, including the Best Pop Male Vocalist at the 1996 Screen Awards and the Channel V Viewers Choice Award in 1997. It stayed on the MTV Asia Charts in the top three for 60 weeks.

The song “O Sanam” from Sunoh launched his career. It was also nominated at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards His next album, Sifar, was noted for its music, lyrics and vocals.

After releasing of these two albums he became a well-known name in the Bollywood music industry. He is known for his immense distinctive music style and very graceful voice.

That helped him emerge as a leading figure in Indipop during the period. His third album and fourth albums were Aks and Kabhi Aisa Lagta Hai, both of which were reasonably successful.

He is also known for contributing the song “Anjaani Raahon Mein” to the album Meri Jaan Hindustan, which commemorated 50 years of Indian independence in the year 1997.

The video was directed by Mani Shankar, and features him as a young rural man working in a foreign country, with a longing to go back home, and his joy of actually returning to a place he loved.

Bollywood Career

Lucky Ali was very much set to make his move in the Bollywood , he debuted in Bollywood with the Award Wining song ‘Ek Pal Ka Jeena’ And Na Tum Jano Na Hum

He received the 2001 Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for “Ek Pal Ka Jeena” song. He was nominated for the Best Playback Singer Male for “Aa Bhi Jaa”, featured in Sur in the 48th Filmfare Awards, but lost to Sonu Nigam.

He has lent his voice to commercially successful films such as Sur (2003), Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008), Anjaana Anjaani (2010) and Tamasha (2015).

In 1978, it was Lucky Ali’s first playback singing career with the song named ”Walking All Alone” from the Ek Baap Chhe Bete . It was a family film for him.

This movie involved hi father Mehmood Ali and all of hi other brothers.

Ali’s second song was “Nasha Nasha” from the film Dushman Duniya Ka, which starred his brother Manzoor Ali in the lead role. The film was directed by their father Mehmood.

He has worked with composers such as A.R Rahman, Vishal Bhardwaj, Vishal-Shekhar, Mikey McCleary, Prashant Pillai, Varun Ahuja and Rajiv Bhalla.

Acting Career

As he belongs from the family who was been in to acting since a very long time and being the son of legendary Mehmood Ali, Lucky Ali also tried his luck into acting as well.

As the nephew of Meena Kumari and son of Mehmood, Lucky Ali did not lack the requisites to make his debut as an actor. He first appeared in Chote Nawab (“The Little Prince”) in 1962, directed by Mehmood.

He acted in a few films in the 1970s and 1980s such as Yeh Hain Zindagi (1977), Hamare Tumhare (1979) and Shyam Benegal’s Trikaal (1985). He also acted in the television series Bharat Ek Khoj, directed by Shyam Benegal.

After a long break from acting, he returned in Sanjay Gupta’s Kaante (2002), in which he acted alongside leading stars Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Kumar Gaurav and Suniel Shetty.

Lucky Ali also acted in the TV serial Zara Hatke. In 2002, he acted in the Hindi musical Sur-The Melody of Life playing a complex role that earned him accolades as an actor.

Collaborations

Rajesh Roshan – Walking And I Am Walking All Alone, Na Tum Jaano Na Hum,Ek Pal Ka Jeena (Kaho Na Pyaar Hain).

Anu Malik – Nasha Nasha (Dushman Duniya Ka), Nazar Mein Hai Chehra (Good Luck).

S.A Rajkumar – Missibi Nathi (Priyamaanawale)

M.M Keeravani – Aa Bhi Ja Aa Bhi Ja, Jaane Kya Dhoondta Hai, Tu Dil Ki Khushi, Khoya Hai Tune Jo Ae Dil, Aao Tumhen Ek Nayi Baat Bataon, Aa Bhi Ja Aa Bhi Ja (Sur – The Melody Of Life),

A.R Rahman – Secret Of Success (boys), Khuda Hafiz (yuva), Hey Goodbye nanba (Aaytha Ezhuthu)

Ranjan Barot – Kehte Kehte (Chhupke se)

K.M Radha Krishnan – Charumati I Love You (Anand).

Samidha Khalid – Hum Bade Hue (The Film)

G. V Prakash Kumar – Sooriyane, Guththa Lakkadi (Kaalai)

Vishal – Shekhar – Aahista Aahista (Bachchna Ae Hasino)

Hanif Sheikh – Bekarar (Paathshala)

Jassie Gift – Hosa Hosa Kanasu (Dev S/O Mudde Gowda)

Prashant Pillai – Vattoli (Amen)

Awards

Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer – Ek Pal Ka Jeena, Na Tum Jano Na Hum 2001.

IIFA Award for Best Playback Singer – Ek Pal Ka Jeena 2001.

Zee Cine Award for Best Playback Singer – Ek Pal Ka Jeena, Na Tum Jano Na Hum 2001.

Bollywood Movie Award for Best Playback Singer – Na Tum Jano Na Hum 2001.

23 August 2021 | Bollywood Singer

KK (Singer) Biography

Krishnakumar Kunnat a.k.a K.K was born on August 23^rd 1968 in a Hindu Malyali Family. K.K’s parents are C. S. Menon and Kunnath Kanakavalli. K.K was brought up in the capital city of India, New Delhi.

He is an alumnus of Delhi’s Mount St Mary’s School and graduated from Kirori Mal College Delhi University.

Family

K K married his childhood love Jyothy in 1991.His son Nakul Krishna Kunnath sang a song “Masti” from his latest album Humsafar with him. KK also has a daughter named Tamara Kunnath who, according to KK, loves playing piano. KK says that his family is his source of energy.

Career

After being graduated KK started his job as a marketing executive in Hotel for straight 8 months in Hotel industry.
Later in 1994 he moved to Mumbai for the urge of pursuing a career in singing industry.

K K sang 3,500 jingles before breaking into Bollywood. He sang in the “Josh of India” song for the support of Indian Cricket Team during Cricket World Cup of 1999. This song featured members of the Indian Cricket Team.

In the year 1994 he sang his Jingles and recorded it, and had given those records to Louis Banks, Ranjit Barot and Lesle Lewis in order to get his break in the big Bollywood industry.

K K was called by UTV and he sang a jingle for Santogen Suiting ad. In a span of four years, he has sung more than 3,500 jingles in 11 Indian languages. K K got the first break in Mumbai from UTV to sing jingles. KK considers Lesle Lewis as his mentor for giving him his first jingle to sing in Mumbai.

K K was introduced as a playback singer with A. R. Rahman’s hit song “Kalluri Saaley“

“Hello Dr.” from Kadir’s Kadhal Desam and then “Strawberry Kannae” from AVM Productions’s musical film Minsara Kanavu (1997).

Pritam Chakraborty is also a fan of him. He got his Bollywood break “Tadap Tadap” from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999).

However, prior to this song he had sung a small portion of the song “Chhod Aaye Hum” from Gulzar’s Maachis.

Till now, K K has sung more than 500 songs in Hindi and more than 200 songs in Telugu, Bengali, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam languages.

K K has worked with almost every music director of Hindi film industry active from 1999. He has lent his voice to the biggest hit song of the year 2014 “Tune Maari Entriyaan” among several others in Gunday.

K K’s new song from the movie Bajrangi Bhaijaan called “Tu Jo Mila” has become popular, many times remained No.1 on iTunes.

Guinness World Record holder Kumar Sanu who reigned as the top playback singer during the 1990s, has mentioned in several interviews that from the new generation of singers he admires KK.

Singing Style

K K has been highly influenced by Kishore Kumar and Legendary Music Director R. D Burman , Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Bryan Adams, Led Zeppelin are also favorite international singers.

Television

Sony Music Company had launched in 1999 and they were looking for an artists and their album to be launched via Sony Music label. KK was selected as the new artiste and he came out with a solo album titled Pal with Lesle Lewis composing the music.

The album was arranged, composed and produced by Lesle Lewis of Colonial Cousins. The lyrics have been penned by Mehboob. The songs “Aap Ki Dua“, “Yaaron” and the title track “Pal” in no time ruled the lips of youngsters & also the music chart.

The album just created history. Pal was the first album released by KK under Sony Music for which he got the prestigious Screen award as best singer.

K K had also participated in the venture Mtv Coke Studio he had sang a Qawwali ‘’Chadta Suraj’’.

On August 29^th K K appeared in a singing reality show Indian Idol Junior Season 2 and he performed Khuda Jaane , Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar Hain, Make Some Noise For The Desi Boyz, “Ajab Si”, “Sach Kehraha Hai Deewana” and many more songs with the junior idols.

“Tu Aashiqui Hai” with Vishal Dadlani, “Aashaayen” with Salim Merchant and “Tadap Tadap” with Sonakshi Sinha.

After 10 years, He appeared in a singing reality show as a judge and guest jury member.

Collaborations

A.R Rahman – Dunia Dilwalon Ki, Sapnay, Saathiya
Himesh Reshammiyan – Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aaisi, Aap ki Khatir, Aahista Aahista, Aksar, Chup Chup Ke.
Pritam – Bhagambhag, Fightclub, Gangster, Woh Lamhe, Bhool Bhoolaiyan, Hattrick, Life In A…Metro.
Vishal Bhardwaj – Beetabi, Maachis, Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar, Love ke Liye Kuch Bhi karega.
Anu Malik – Har Dil jo Pyaar Karega, Hera Pheri , Aks, Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hain, Yaadein.

Awards

Hub Awards Best Male Playback Singer 2005.
Eenam-Swaralaya Singer of the Year Award – Sinvger of the Year – 2012.
Screen Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Khuda Jaane 2009

15 August 2021 | Bollywood Singer

Adnan Sami Biography

Adnan Sami was born in London, United Kingdom on August 15^th 1971. He was raised in London his father was a Pashtun and his mother was from Jammu. Adnan Sami’s father Mr Arshad Sami Khan has served in the Pakistani Air force as a pilot before becoming a senior bureaucrat as a Pakistani Ambassador in nearly 14 countries.

Family

Adnan Sami was married to first wife in 1993 to Zeba Bakhtiyar and they also had a son named Azaan Sami Khan, couple parted ways after 3 years of their marriage.

Adnan Sami began living in India since 13 March 2001, on a visitor’s visa which was extended from time to time. In the year 2001, Adnan Sami married Dubai-based Arab Sabah Galadari.

This was his second marriage and Sabah’s second marriage as well, she had a son from her previous marriage. This relationship also ended in divorce, a year-and-a-half later.

In June 2006, he weighed 230 kilograms (506 lb) he claimed his doctor had given him just six months to live. By diet and exercise, he lost 167 kilograms (368 lb) in 16 months

In 2008, his wife Sabah returned to Mumbai, remarried him and began living with him, but the marriage only lasted one year, after which Sabah filed for divorce again.

In 2009, his father died of pancreatic cancer, which he described as the “biggest blow” of his life, saying that he had been extremely close to his father.

On 29 January 2010 Sami married Roya Sami Khan, the daughter of a retired diplomat and army general. He first met Roya in India during her visit in 2010 and proposed to her after some time. On 10 May 2017, he became a father to a daughter, Medina Sami Khan.

Career

Adnan Sami had played the piano since the age of 5 and composed his first piece of music when he was nine years old. Sami began taking lessons in Indian classical music from the Santoor maestro Pandit Shivkumar Sharma when visiting India during his school vacations.

Indian singer Asha Bhosle saw him at age ten at an R. D. Burman concert in London, and encouraged him to take up music as a career. He is an accomplished concert pianist, music composer and singer with a command of Indian and Western classical/semi-classical music, jazz, rock and pop music. As a teenager, Adnan, when performing on the piano on a TV program in Stockholm, was described by the US-based Keyboard magazine as the “Fastest Man on Keyboard in the World”

The year 1986 has marked a push-start for Adnan Sami’s career he released his first ever album ‘’Run for His Life’’ which was released in 1986. It was in English, and recorded for UNICEF.

It went to No. 1 in the music charts in the Middle East. This was followed by three more No. 1s: “Talk to Me“, “Hot Summer Day” and “You’re My Best Kept Secret“.

The One & Only (1989), was a classical album on the piano accompanied by tabla maestro Zakir Hussain. He released his first vocal solo album Raag Time in 1991.

The song from his album Teri Yaad was the title track of his first album, which became a huge hit in Pakistan.

Adnan Sami composed music for a film for the first time. The 1995 Pakistani film Sargam, in which he was the lead actor and Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle did the playback Sargam, was a box office success.

It was also the first time that an Indian playback singer was featured in an album in Pakistan. To date Sargam is the only film Adnan Sami has acted in, and the score is the best-selling album of all time in Pakistan.

In 2000, Asha Bhosle collaborated with Sami on a collection of love songs named Kabhi to Nazar Milao in India.

The music was also composed by Adnan. The album became an instant success and topped the Indipop charts for most of 2001 and 2002. According to Business Week magazine, the album sold 4 million copies in India alone.

Two songs from the album Kabhi to Nazar Milao, whose music video featured model Aditi Gowitrikar, and Lift Karaa De, whose music video starred the popular Indian actor Govinda became popular at that time.

The videos were shot by Anil Mehta, who had shot popular Hindi films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Lagaan. Because of the album’s success, Magnasound and Sami released an album named Always Yours which was a remix version of numbers from that album.

He soon became popular, which led Hindi filmmaker Boney Kapoor to invite him to provide music for his film. This was the beginning for him to compose and sing for Hindi films and for the top Hindi film producers of the time like Yash Chopra and Subhash Ghai.

Due to the popularity of his music videos and live performances, he started getting acting offers at the same time. The song “Tu Sirf Mera Mehboob” from the Hindi film Ajnabee, sung by Adnan.

Became popular and was declared a “superhit” by Screen Magazine, who called him the pop personality of the year in 2001.

In 2002, Pepsi Foods made Adnan Sami its brand ambassador in India, a contract which involved hosting a series of live music concerts across cities as well as featuring in ads for Pepsi products.

He is the only artist in all of Asia and Europe to have endorsed Pepsi Cola and Coca-Cola together.

Work except Bollywood

Being a professional Pianist, Sami has given solo performances before royalty such as the King of Sweden and King Hussein of Jordan.

He has performed before heads of state and governments such as President Mitterrand of France, the President of the United Arab Emirates, the President and Prime Minister of India, the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, the President and Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, the Prime Minister of Sweden and Princess Christina of Sweden.

Adnan Sami has performed for music festivals to sold-out stadiums of his solo concert tours all over the world in over forty countries.

Sami wrote a song for India during the 2003 Cricket World Cup. The video of this song captures the nationalistic spirit of competition, depicting Adnan performing with the Indian cricket team with guest appearances from Indian film stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Fardeen Khan and Kareena Kapoor.

His work has associated him with prominent people from the Indian film and music industry.

On 15 December 2002, BBC World Service celebrated 70 years of broadcasting by organizing a worldwide live concert with artists representing different parts of the world who performed before a global audience via satellite. Sami was chosen to represent India.

In the summer of 2003, Sami became the only musical artist from the entire Asian region to have sold out Wembley Stadium in London for two nights in a row this was recorded in the Limca Book of World Records (Asia’s equivalent to the West’s Guinness Book of World Records). He did this again in 2005, 2008, and 2012.

Collaboration

Zakir Hussain – Live in Karachi – Durga, Folk Tune, Jazz Piece, Beg Shree, Raag Meragi.
Hadiqa Kiyani – Suhani Rutt Ayi, Kab Sey Khili Ho, Kya Hay Kya Uljhan, Pyaar Bina Jeena Nahi, Barse Badal, Who Mujhay Yaad.
Asha Bhosle – Kabhi Toh Nazar Milao, Mehndi Masala, Pyar Bina, Pyar Hain, Dholki.
Sunidhi Chauhan – Ajnabee, Awara Pagal Deewana, Pyaasa, Janasheen, Chot Aaj Isko Kal Tereko.

Awards

Nigar Award
Bolan Academy Award
Special Award by UNICEF
Breakthrough Artist Of The Year – MTV
Special Award from the U.K. Parliament (House of Commons)
Naushad Music Award” by Andhra Pradesh Department of Culture,
Best International Act at the UK Asian Music Awards.
Brand Laureate International Brand Personality award by the President of The BrandLaureate,
Special Award by the Canadian Parliament for his ‘Exceptional Services to Indian Music’.
Padma Shri By Government Of India – 2020

14 August 2021 | Bollywood Singer

Sunidhi Chauhan Biography

Nidhi Chauhan a.k.a Sunidhi Chauhan was born on August 14^th 1983, in the Capital city Delhi. Sunidhi Chauhan’s father was always a theatre artist Dushyant Chauhan was at Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, and her mother is a home maker she influenced Sunidhi Chauhan to pursue a career in singing.

At the mere age of 4 Sunidhi Chauhan had started performing at competitions and local gatherings, subsequently convinced by her father’s friends to take singing seriously.

During that time, she was doing live shows and trained herself with “regular riyaaz by listening to cassettes and CDs of popular numbers”.

She did her studies from Greenway Modern School and used to stay with her family members in Dilshad Garden, Delhi. She discontinued her studies right after schooling to pursue a career in the music industry.

When actress Tabassum spotted her, she made her sing live in her show Tabassum Hit Parade and asked her family to shift to Mumbai. She then introduced Sunidhi Chauhan to Kalyanji Virji Shah and Anandji Virji Shah.

Upon meeting, Kalyanji changed her name from Nidhi to Sunidhi as he felt that it is a lucky name. When she was 11, her dad quit his job and brought her to Mumbai. Initially, the family had financial difficulties in adjusting life to the city.

After that she worked in Kalyanji’s academy for few years and became the lead singer in his “Little Wonders” troupe. She was then offered with many shows, though her father insisted on singing for films.

Career

While Sunidhi Chauhan was in the group of “Kalyanji’s Academy’’ they had a performance in the 40^th FilmFare Award with the group little wonders. Music Director Aadesh Srivastava heard her and wanted her to sing and record her voice for the film Shastra.

She made her career debut at the age of thirteen, with the song “Ladki Deewani Dekho” from the film, alongside Udit Narayan.

During the year, she won the first singing reality show on DD National titled Meri Awaz Suno, where she was honored with the “Lata Mangeshkar Trophy” for the best female singer of India.

Besides, she recorded her first solo album, Aira Gaira Nathu Khaira which was ultimately promoted as a children’s album. Chauhan then realised her “limitations” and got formal training in classical singing from Gautam Mukherjee.

For the next two years, she worked as a background vocalist. Sunidhi Chauhan had a breakthrough career change actor she met Sonu Nigam. Sonu recommended her to Sandeep Chowta.

During the time, Chowta was working as the music director for Ram Gopal Varma’s film Mast (1999). Within two weeks’ time, Chauhan was signed to lend her voice for the film’s song where she recorded the title track along with

“Ruki Ruki Si Zindagi“
Suna Tha

Voice

Sunidhi Chauhan possesses a high octave vocal range, and has the ability to reach lower octaves and dropping notes with transition. She has received a lot of acclaims and recognitions from many music directors from the Bollywood industry.

Lata Mangeshkar who described Sunidhi Chauhan’s vocals as “different” from her contemporary, mentioned that her voice will not suit musical style of lori. According to Rajani Kanikar, she has a “powerful” and “husky” voice which she attributes to her father.

She feels that her vocals structure suits on Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif, Kajol, Parineeti Chopra and Urmila Matondkar the most.

Though she has performs in high-pitched vocals songs, she is known for her “deeper pitched voice”, on which Ajay Gehlawat wrote: “Chauhan’s deeper timbre replaces Asha Bhosle’s higher pitched vocals” in the song “Yeh Mera Dil“

Sunidhi Chauhan’s “high-energy vocals” have been described as “stereotyped” in item numbers by the media. However, according to The Daily Star, “be it a soft classical-like piece or an operatic pitch, Chauhan is spectacular with her vocals”.

Ensuring such “fuller female timbres become more commonplace’ to a decidedly more forceful and sensual sounds”. Ganesh Anantharaman in his book Bollywood Melodies:

A History of the Hindi Film Song wrote that Chauhan has a “good, expressive” voice but she crafted a particular image for herself as the singer of fast, racy songs.

Influencers of Sunidhi Chauhan

Sunidhi Chauhan was introduced to music by her father and dedicates her career to his father and mother for supporting her since a very young age.

She acknowledges that western music had a huge impact in her singing and confessed that she likes to perform “songs that have a western flavour in them“. Believing that her voice has a “global appeal”, she feels that her exposure to international music has only “sharpened” her skills while she does not forcefully tries to imply a western feel to the song.

She considers Lata Mangeshkar as her biggest inspiration, calling her “a temple of music”. She grew up listening to music by Lata Mangeshkar Ji and Asha Bhosle Ji and is equally influenced by singers like Kavita Krishnamurthy, Sadhana Sargam, K.S.Chithra, Alka Yagnik, Kishori Amonkar, Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey.

Sonu Nigam who helped her get her first break in the industry was named as one of the biggest influences in shaping her career along with her parents and she described him as a “catalyst to fuel my career”.

She was mainly compared with her contemporary singer Shreya Ghoshal for which Chauhan stated, “I am contented to have my own area in the current music world. Likewise, Shreya Ghoshal has her own.

Charity

Sunidhi Chauhan is associated with social causes working for the underprivileged kids where she performed charity shows, donating money and buying clothes.

In 2005, along with sixteen other artists, she recorded a single titled “Zindagi Pukaarti Hai” to raise money for the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

Performed at Screen Awards on 18 January 2005, the song was released as a cassette and a CD where the proceeds from sales were given to the victims. She was also involved with fundraising events for charities involved in the disaster clean-up operation.

Collaborations

Aadesh Srivastava – Shastra, Bade Dilwala, Dahek, Joru ka Gulam, Deewanapan, Farz, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Junoon
Anu Malik – Aaghaaz, Champion, Fiza, Gang, Hum to Mohabbat Karega, Ajnabee, Rahul, Yaadein, Ab Ke Baras.
Sandeep Chowta – Mast, jungle.
Salim – Sulaiman – Bhoot, Darna Mana Hain,
Vishal – Shekhar – Musafir, Plan, Popcorn Khao! Mast Ho Jao, Rudraksh, Shaadi Ka Laddoo, Shukriya: Till Death Do Us Apart, Stop!
A.R Rahman – Saiyyan (Nayak)
Himesh Reshammiya – Dil Maange More, Julie, Aashiq Banaya Aapne, Insan, Koi Aap Sa, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, Main Aaisa Hi Hu, Silsillay, Vaada, Yakeen, 36 China Town
Pritam – Apna Sapna Money Money , Bhagam Bhag, Dhoom 2 , Gangster, Pyaar Ke Side Effects, Darling.

Awards

Annual Central European Bollywood Award – Fanaa 2007
BIG Star Entertainment Awards – Tees Maar Khan – 2010
FilmFare Award for Best Playback Singer Female – Omkara 2007, Tees Maar Khan 2011
Global Indian Film Awards – Dhoom 2005
Global Indian Music Academy Awards – Tees Maar Khan 2011
International Indian Film Academy Awards – Dhoom 2005, Omkara 2007
Mirchi Music Awards – The DIrty Picture – 2011
Screen Awards – Chameli 2005, Omkara – 2007
Star Guild Awards – Tees Maar Khan 2010
Zee Cine Awards – Dhoom – 2005
Tarang Housefull Awards – Anjuman – 2013
PTC Punjabi Film Awards – Patang Wali Dor 2013, Chandi Di Dabbi 2015.

Remembering Late Mohammed Rafi on his 96th Birthday

Mohammed Rafi biography:

Family of Mohammed Rafi:

Mohammed Rafi Career:

Life in Bombay (present day – Mumbai)

Working with Notable Music Directors:

Mohammed Rafi Other Contemporary Singers:

Mohammed Rafi Saab’s Legacy:

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Honors: