Alka Yagnik

Alka Yagnik

Alka Yagnik (Hindi: अलका याज्ञिक or अलका याज्ञनिक) (born March 20, 1966 in Kolkata, West Bengal, India) is an Indian singer and seven-time winner of the Filmfare Best Female Playback Award. She has done playback singing for over 500 Indian films, and is ranked among the best-known Hindi playback singers of all-time.

Early life and background

Alka Yagnik was born in Kolkata to a Gujarati family. Her mother Shubha Yagnik was a singer of Indian classical music. At the age of 6, she started singing for Calcutta Radio. At age 10, her mother brought her to Bombay as a child singer. She was advised to wait till her voice matured but her mother remained determined and on a subsequent visit, Alka got a letter of introduction to Raj Kapoor from his Kolkata distributor. Raj heard the girl and sent her with a letter to noted music director Laxmikant. Impressed, Laxmikant gave her two alternatives - an immediate start as a dubbing artist, or a later break as a singer; they settled for the latter.

Career

Alka Yagnik is classically trained and has been one of the leading playback singers in Bollywood since the late 1980's. She began singing bhajans for Calcutta Radio at the age of six. Her first song was for the film Payal Ki Jhankaar in (1979), followed by Laawaris (1981) with the hit song "Mere Angene Mein", followed by the film Hamari Bahu Alka (1982). She got her big break with the song "Ek Do Teen" from the film Tezaab (1988). The song turned her into a star overnight and went on to become a pop hit, also winning her a Filmfare Best Female Playback Award. Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak was also a career maker for her, as she along with Udit Narayan became household names.

She has sung in many languages other than Hindi, including Gujarati, Oriya, Assamese, Nepali, Rajasthani, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam. In addition, she has been the number one choice for film songs due to the versatility of her voice, in which more film heroines have requested her voice be dubbed over their performance. She has worked with many other Indian composers such as, Kalyanji-Anandji, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Anu Malik, A R Rahman, Anand-Milind, Himesh Reshammiya, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, and others. Additionally, she is the personal favorite of composers Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Anu Malik, Rajesh Roshan, Nadeem-Shravan, and Jatin-Lalit, for whom she is the first choice for their compositions.

She shares the title with Asha Bhonsle for the most number of Filmfare Awards won (7) by a single female playback singer. Alka has also been the judge of various Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge shows, and Star Voice of India, both singing competition shows, in which children or adults of various age groups compete with one another to win the award for best vocals. In addition to this, her song "Chamma Chamma" from China Gate was featured in the song "Hindi Sad Diamonds" from the soundtrack of the film Moulin Rouge!.

Awards

Alka Yagnik has received numerous awards, and nominations in her singing career, apart from the awards listed below. She received the Filmfare award for Best Female Playback for three consecutive years from 1999–2001.

Filmfare Awards

• 1988 - Best Female Playback for "Ek Do Teen" for the film Tezaab
• 1993 - Best Female Playback for "Choli Ke Peeche" for the film Khalnayak (shared with Ila Arun)
• 1997 - Best Female Playback for "Zara Tasveer Se Tu" for the film Pardes
• 1999 - Best Female Playback for "Taal Se Taal" for the film Taal
• 2000 - Best Female Playback for "Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Dil Se" for the film Dhadkan
• 2001 - Best Female Playback for "O Re Chhori" for the film Lagaan
• 2004 - Best Female Playback for "Hum Tum" for the film Hum Tum

National Film Awards

• 1994 - Silver Lotus Award for "Ghoongat Ki Aad Se" for the film Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke
• 1999 - Silver Lotus Award for "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" for the film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

Bollywood Movie Awards

• 1999 - Best Female Playback for "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" - Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
• 2001 - Best Female Playback for "Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai" - Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai
• 2002 - Best Female Playback for "San San sana" - Ashoka
• 2007 - Best Female Playback for "Tumhi Dekho Naa" - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

Zee Cine Awards

• 1999 - Best Female Playback for "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" - Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
• 2001 - Best Female Playback for "Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai" - Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai
• 2007 - Best Female Playback for "Tumhi Dekho Naa" - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

Star Screen Awards

• 1995 - Best Female Playback for "Dil Ne Dil Se" from Haqeeqat
• 2000 - Best Female Playback for "Paanchi Nadiyaan" from Refugee

International Indian Film Academy

• 2000 - Artistic Excellence Female Playback Singer Award for "Taal Se Taal Mila" - Taal
• 2001 - Popular award for "Kaho Naa Pyar Hai" - Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai

Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards

• 1989 - "Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak"

Sansui Awards

• 2003 - "Tere Naam"- Tere Naam

MTV Awards

• 2001 - MTV Asia Viewers Choice Award for "Jaane Kyon"- Dil Chaata Hai

Nominations

Filmfare

• Best Playback Singer - Female for: Laawaris(1981) for the song "Mere Angne mein"

• Best Playback Singer - Female for: Baazigar (1993) for the song "Baazigar O Baazigar".

• Best Playback Singer - Female for: Gupt: The Hidden Truth (1997) for the song "Mere khwaabon mein tu".

• Best Playback Singer - Female for: Refugee (2000) for "Panchhi Nadiya".

• Best Playback Singer - Female for: Asoka (2001) for the song "San Sanana".

• Best Playback Singer - Female for: Dil Chahta Hai (2001) for the song "Jaane Kyon".

• Best Playback Singer - Female for: Raaz (2002) for the song "Aapke Pyar Mein".

• Best Playback Singer - Female for: Humraaz (2002) for the song "Sanam Mere Humraaz".

• Best Playback Singer - Female for: Tere Naam (2003) for the song "Odhni odhke".

• Best Playback Singer - Female for: Chalte Chalte (2003) for the song "Tauba tumhare".

• Best Playback Singer - Female for: Swades: We, the People (2004) for "Saanwariya".

• Best Playback Singer - Female for: Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) for "Lal Dupatta".

• Best Playback Singer - Female for: Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) for the song "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna".

• Best Playback Singer - Female for: Yuvvraaj (2008) for the song "Tu Muskura".

BBC World Music Awards

• 2003 - BBC World Music Award - Asia Pacific

Selected Filmography

• Trump Card (2009) - "Tumhare Liye" with Kunal Ganjawala
• What's Your Raashee? (2009) - "Pyaari Pyaari"
• Short Kut: The Con is On (2009) - "Kal Nau Bhaje" with Sonu Nigam
• Yuvvraaj (2008) - "Tu Muskura", "Mastam Mastam"
• Slumdog Millionaire (2008)-"Ringa Ringa" with Ila Arun
• Kismat Konnection (2008) - "Bakhuda Tumhi Ho" with Atif Aslam
• Love Story 2050 (2008) - "Meelon Ka Jaise Tha Faasla", "Mausam Achanak"
• Saawariya (2007) - "Chhabeela"
• Guru (2007) - "Aye Hairate Aashiqi" with Hariharan
• Umrao Jaan (2006) - "Salaam", "Pooch Rahe Hain", "Behka Diya Hamein", "Main Na Mil Sakhun"
• Babul (2006) - "Gaa Re Mann" with Sudesh Bhosle, Kavita Krishnamurthy, and Kalaish Kher
• Shaadi Se Pehle (2006) - "Bijuriya, bijuriya" (remix), "Sache Ashiq"
• Jai Santoshi Maa (2006) - "Maa Santoshi Maa" with Sonu Nigam
• Dil Apna Punjabi (2006) - "Sohniye" ft. Harbhajan Mann
• Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) - "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna", "Tumhi Dekho Na" both with Sonu Nigam
• Barsaat (2005) - "Yeh Jo Dil Hai", "Saajan Saajan", "Barsaat Ke Din Aaye", "Maine Tumse Pyar Bahut Kiya", "Aaja Aaja Piya Ab To Aaja"
• Bewafaa (2005) - "Pyaar Ka Anjaam" with Sapna Mukherjee and Kumar Sanu
• Lucky: No Time for Love (2005) - "Chori Chori"
• Swades (2004) - "Saanwariya Saanwariya", "Dekho Na" with Udit Narayan
• Fida (2004) - "Aaja Ve Mahi"
• Hum Tum (2004) - "Lakdi Kyun" with Shaan, "Gore Gore Se Chore", "Yaara Yaara", "Hum Tum" with Babul Supriyo
• Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) - "Laal Dupatta" with Udit Narayan
• Andaaz (2003) - "Kisise Tum Pyaar Karo", "Allah Kare Dil Na Lage", "Aayega Maza Ab Barsaat Ka"
• Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost (2003) - "Shaher Ka Jadoo Re" with Sonu Nigam
• Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) - "Kuch To Hua Hai" with Shaan, "Kal Ho Naa Ho-Sad" with Sonu Nigam
• Tere Naam (2003) - "Oodhni","O Jaana" & "Tumse Milna" with Udit Narayan,"Mann Basiya"
• The Hero (2003) - "Dil Mein Hai Pyaar" with Udit Narayan & Jaspinder Narula
• Chori Chori (2003) - "Aate Aate", "Mehndi"
• Chalte Chalte (2003) - "Tauba Tumhare Ishare" with Abhijeet
• Dil Ka Rishta (2003) - "Dil Churale O Chand" with Kumar Sanu, "Saajan Saajan" with Kumar Sanu & Sapna Awasthi, "Haaye Dil Mera Dil", "Dil ka Rishta Bada Pyara" with Udit Narayan and Kumar Sanu
• Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai (2002) - "Ek Ladki"
• Om Jai Jagadish (2002) - "Pyar Ka Matlab" with Udit Narayan, Sonu Nigam, & Kavita Krishnamurthy
• Shakti (2002) - "Ishq Kameena" with Sonu Nigam
• Raaz (2002) - Aapke Pyaar Mein, "Kya Tumhe Yaad Hai, Kitna Pyaara hai ye chehra" with Udit Narayan
• Dil Hai Tumhara (2002) - "Dil Laga Liya Maine" with Udit Narayan, "Dil Hai Tumhara" with Udit Narayan & Kumar Sanu, "Kasam Khake Kaho, "Mohabbat Dil Ka Sukoon Hai" with Kumar Sanu & Udit Narayan, "Chaahe Zuban" with Udit Narayan
• Mujhse Dosti Karoge! (2002) - "Mujhse Dosti Karoge" with Asha Bhosle & Udit Narayan
• Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge (2002) - "Bindiya Chamke" with Sonu Nigam
• Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya (2002) - "Haan Maine Bhi Pyar Kiya Hain","Har Kisi Ladki Ke Dil Mein Ek Ladke Ka Khayal Rehta Hain"
• Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai (2002) - "Meri Tarah Tum Bhi Kabhi Pyar Karke Dekho Na"
• Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa (2002) - "Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa"
• Kasoor (2001) - "Kitni Bechain Hoke" with Udit Narayan, "Kal Raat Ho Gayee Ho Gayee","Zindagi Ban Gaye Ho Tum" with Udit Narayan,"Dekha Jo Tumko" with Kumar Sanu, "Dil Mera Tod Diya"
• Dil Chahta Hai (2001) - "Jaane Kyon" with Udit Narayan
• Asoka (2001) - "San Sansana" with Hema Sardesai, "O Re Kanchi" with Shann, "Roshni Se" with Abhijeet
• Hum Ho Gaye Aapke (2001) - "Der Se Hua Par Pyar To Hua Re"
• Lajja (2001) - "Badi Mushkil Baba Badi Mushkil", "Sajan Ke Ghar" with Richa Sharma, & Sonu Nigam
• Lagaan (2001) - "O Re Chori","Ghanan Ghanan", & "Mitwa" with Udit Narayan
• Ajnabee (2001) - "Kaun Main, Haan Tum"
• Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love (2001) - "Dil Lagane Ki Sazaa","Ek Dil Hai","Mohabbat Ne Mohabbat Ko","Dil Deewana","Mulaaquat","Hum Khush Huye"
• Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) - "Suraj Hua Madhyam","Bole Chudiya","Deewana Hai Dekho","Yeh Ladki Hai Allah","Say Shava Shava","You are my Soniya"
• Aaghaaz (2000) - "Mann Tera Mera Mann"
• Refugee (2000) - "Mere Humsafar", "Panchi Nadiyan", "Aisa Lagta Hai", "Taal Pe Jab"
• Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000) "Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge", "Mujshe Shaadi Karogii", "Tera Pallu" with Udit Narayan
• Dhadkan (2000) - "Na Na Karte Pyaar","Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Dil Se" with Udit Narayan, "Aksar is Duniya Mein"
• Zubeidaa (2000) - "Mehndi Hai Rachnewali", Hai Na
• Mission Kashmir (2000) - "Chupke Se Sun", "Socho Ke Jheelon Ka" with Udit Narayan
• Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai (2000) - "Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai", "Shukriya"
• Fiza (2000) - "Aaja Mahiya", "Tu Fiza Hai"
• Chal Mere Bhai (2000) - "Chori Chori Sapnon Mein", "Meri Neend Jaane Lagi Hai"
• Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000) - "Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai","Pyar Ki Kashti Mein" with Udit Narayan
• Dillagi (1999) - "Dillagi"
• Yeh Dil Kya Kare (1999) - "Pyar Ke Liye Char Pal Kam Nahin"
• Daag (1999) - "Pyaar Hume Pyaar"
• Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999) - "Hum Saath Saath Hain","Maiyya Yashoda" with Anuradha Paudwal and Kavita Krishnamurthy,"Mhare Hidwa Nache Mor"
• Mann (1999) - "Mera Mann Kyon Tumhe Chahe","Tinak Tin Tana"
• Sarfarosh (1999) - "Jo Haal Dil Ka", "Is Deewane Ladke Ko"
• Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) - "Chand Chupa" with Udit Narayan
• Taal (1999) - "Taal Se" with Udit Narayan
• Sirf Tum (1999) - "Paehli Pehli Bar", "Dilbar Dilbar"
• Arjun Pandit (1999) - "Kudiyan Sheher Diyan"
• Janwar (1999) - "Mera Yaar Dildaar Bada Sona",""Paas Bulati Hain","Kasam Se","Mere Sapno Ke Rajkumar"
• Biwi No.1 (1999) - "Mehboob Mere","Hai Mirchi"
• Anari No 1 (1999) - "Tujhe Dekh Ke Jaane Jana"
• Zakhm (1998) - "Gali Mein Aaj Chand"
• Soldier (1998) - "Soldier Soldier", "Mehfil Mein Baar Baar","Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye","Dil Jigar Se Guzri Hain"
• China Gate (1998) - "Chamma Chamma"
• Duplicate (1998) - "Mere Mehboob Mera Sanam" with Udit Narayan
• Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) - "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", "Ladki Badi Anjani Hai", "Koi Mil Gaya", "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" (sad version), "Yeh Ladki Hai Diwani", "Saajan Ji Ghar Aaye", "Tujhe Yaad Na Mere Aaye" with Udit Narayan
• Bade Miyan Chote Miyan - "Makna", "Deta Jai Jodee", "Kisi Disco Mein Jaayein"
• Ghulam (1998) - "Aati Kya Khandala","Aankhon Se Tune Yeh Kya Kehe Diya","Jadu Hai Tera Hi Jadu"
• Gupt (1997) - "Mushkil Bada Yeh Pyaar Hain", "Mere Khwabon mein tu" , "Yeh Pyaasi Mohabbat Yeh Pyasi Jawani","Yeh Pyaar" with Udit Narayan and Kavita Krishnamurthy
• Ishq (1997) - "Neend Churayi Meri","Dekho Dekho Janam"
• Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1997) - "Aa Ab Laut Chalen","Mera Dil Tera Deewana","Yeh Kaisi Mulaaquat Hain","Yehi Hai Pyaar"
• Koyla (1997) - "Dekha Tujhe To Ho Gayee Deewani", "Tanhai Tanhai"
• Border (1997) - "Hamen Jabse Mohabbat"
• Jeevan Yudh (1997) - "Zindagi Ko Guzarne Ke liye" with Pankaj Udhas
• Judaai (1997) - "Ooee Baba", "Mujhe Pyaar Hua","Pyar Pyar Karte Karte"
• Baadshah (1997) - "Hum To Deewane","Mohabbat Ho Gayee Hain"
• Yes Boss (1997) - "Ek Din Aap Yun Humko Mil Jayenge","Chudi Baji Hain Kahin Chan Chan","Main Koi Aisa Geet"
• Khamoshi: The Musical (1996) - "Bahon Ke Darmiyan"
• Sabse Bada Khiladi (1996) - "Bholi Bhali Ladki"
• Bada Din (1996) - "Suno Zara"
• Jeet (1996) - "Yaara O Yaara Milna", "Saason Ka Chalna", "Tu Dharti Pe Jitna Bhi"
• Raja Hindustani (1996) - "Pardesi Pardesi" with Udit Narayan,"Poocho Zara Poocho","Aaye Ho Meri Zindagi Mein"
• Rajkumar (1996) - "Payal Meri"
• Ghaatak (1996) - "Koi Jaye To Le Aaye Meri Lakh Dua Paye","Akaniki"
• Raja (1995) - "Aakhiyan Milau Kabhi Aakhiyan Churao", "Nazre Mili Dil Dhadka" with Udit Narayan
• Karan Arjun (1995) - "Jaati Hoon Main", "Yeh Bandhan To Pyar ka Bandhan Hai" with Udit Narayan
• Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995) - "Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya" with Udit Narayan
• Naajayaz (1995) - "Kya Tum Mujshe Pyar Karte Ho", "Tujhe Pyaar Karte Karte"
• Takkar (1995) - "Aankhon Mein Base Ho Tum" with Abhijeet
• Coolie No. 1 (1995) - "Mein To Raste Se Ja Rahi Thi"
• Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994) - "Churake Dil Mera","Paas Woh Aane Lage Zaara Zaara"
• Criminal (1994) - "Tu Mile Dil Khile" with Kumar Sanu
• Mohra (1994) - "Tip Tip Barsa Paani" with Udit Narayan
• Anjaam (1994) - "Barso Ke Baad"
• Khuddar (1994) - "Tum Sa Koi Pyaara Koi Masoom Nahin Hain","Woh Aankh Hi Kya Teri Soorat Nahin Jisme"
• Dilwale (1994) - "Mauka Milega To Hum Pyar", "Jeeta Tha Jiske Liye", "Jeeta Hoon Jiske Liye", "Saaton Janam Mein Tere" with Udit Narayan
• Baazigar (1993) - "Baazigar O Baazigar", "Ae Mere Humsafar"
• Dil Tera Deewana (1993) - "Kam Se Kam"
• Darr (1993) - "Ang Se Ang Lagana"
• Khalnayak (1993) - "Choli Ke Peeche" , "Palki Mein Baithi Sawar Chali Re"
• Gumraah (1993) - "Tere Pyaar Ko Salam O Salam"
• Khuda Gawah (1993) - "Tu Na Ja Mere Baadshah"
• Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee (1993) - "Dil Mein Sanam Ki Soorat","Sairana Si Hai", "Dil Deta Hai Ro Ro"
• Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993) - "Ghunghat Ki Aad se", "Kash Koi Ladka", "Yoohi Kat Jayega Safar", "Bombay Se Gayi Poona"
• Khiladi (1992) - "Waada Raha Sanam"
• Bekhudi (1992) - "Jab Na Maana Dil Deewana"
• Deewana (1992) - "Payeliya" ,"Aisi Deewangi"
• Sapne Saajan Ke (1992) - "Kehta Hai Mausam", "Kabhi Bhula Kabhi Yaad Kiya", "Aara Hai Mazza"
• Saajan (1991) - "Dekha Hai Pehli Baar", "Tu Shayar Hai"
• Phool Aur Kaante (1991) - "Tumse Milne ko Dil Karta Hai", "Dheere Dhere Pyar Ko Badhna"
• Afsana Pyar Ka (1991) - "Yaad Teri Aati Hai"
• Tridev (1989) - "Gali Gali Mein"
• Bhrashtachar (1989) - "Mere Seene Se Lagja"
• Mujrim (1989) - "Raat Ke Bara Baje"
• Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) - "Gazab Ka Hin Din",""Akela Hain To Kya Ghum Hai", "Kahe Sataaye", "E Mere Humsafar" with Udit Narayan
• Batwara (1989} - "Tu Maro Kaun Lage"
• Tezaab (1988) - "Ek Do Teen"
• Yudh (1985) - "Yudh Kar", "Doston Tum Sab Ko"
• Love Marriage (1984) - "Beeswin Sadi Ke"
• Coolie {1983) - "Mujhe Peene Ka Shock Nahin"
• Nastik (1982) - "Sagre Jagat Ka Ek Rakhwala"
• Kaamchor (1982) - "Tum Se Badhkar Duniya Mein"
• Jeevan Dhaara (1982) - "Jaldise Aana"
• Hamari Bahu Alka (1982)
• Lawaaris (1981) - "Mere Angane Mein Tumhara"
• Payal Ki Jhankaar (1979) - "Payal Ki Jhankaar"

External links

• Alka Yagnik at IMDb
• Profile on NDTV