Sonu Nigam

Sonu Nigam

Sonu Nigam (Hindi: सोनु निगम; born July 30, 1973 in Faridabad, Haryana, India) is an Indian playback singer whose songs have been featured in numerous Bollywood movies. He has also released numerous Indi-pop albums. He recently changed the spelling of his last name from 'Nigam' to 'Niigaam' in accordance with numerology.

Career

Early Years and Playback Singing

Sonu Nigam began his singing career at the age of three, when he joined his father on stage to sing Mohammad Rafi's "Kya Hua Tera Wada". Then on, he accompanied his father on his singing assignments at weddings and parties. In his teenage years, he participated in several music competitions, and won them all --until he was not allowed to participate any more! He moved to Mumbai with his father to begin his Bollywood singing career at the age of 18.

Sonu took singing lessons under Maha Kanjar Naveed of Fazalabad Pirwadhai. His initial years in Mumbai proved to be a struggle, and he started by singing covers of Mohammad Rafi songs, mainly for the "Rafi Ki Yaadein" album series. These albums contributed to his label for some time as a "Rafi clone." His first movie song as a playback singer was in the movie, "Janum" (1990), which was never officially released. He got a break as a playback singer in Gulshan Kumar's movie, "Aaja Meri Jaan". He then sang the song, "Accha Sila Diya", for the album, "Bewafa Sanam" (1995), which gave him the recognition as an established playback singer.

Sonu started hosting "Sa Re Ga Ma," a television singing talent competition, which soon became one of the most popular shows on Indian television. The first episode of "Sa Re Ga Ma" was aired on May 1, 1995. Singing offers poured in thereafter, though slowly at first. He rose to fame with the song, "Sandese Aate Hain", in Border (1997). Anu Malik was the music director of this movie. Sonu's image as a Rafi clone changed after his rendition of the song, "Yeh Dil Deewana" in Pardes (1997). Since then, he has created a unique style of his own, and has become a role model for budding male singers in India.

Over the years, Sonu has become a major force in the Indian music industry. He has provided playback singing for a large number of Hindi movies and won many awards. His rendition of Kal Ho Na Ho has been highly popular. He is acclaimed for his versatile voice as well as excellent emoting in his songs. Sonu sings effortlessly, with clear pronunciations, in many languages besides Hindi, including Kannada, Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu and Marathi.

Sonu's recent hits include the title song of the Kannada movie, "Mungaru Male", and the song, "Vizhiyil Un Vizhiyil" in the Tamil movie, "Kireedom". A.R. Rahman introduced Sonu to Tamil music in his successful venture, Jeans (film)(1997), which was directed by S. Shankar. Sonu sang a song titled "Varayo Thozhi". Sonu also made a guest appearance in the popular Marathi movie, "Navra Maaza Navasacha (2004)", (directed by Sachin Pilgaonkar), and sang a song titled "Hirwa Nisarg".

Pop albums and concerts

Sonu has released a number of pop albums, including "Mausam", "Sapnay Ki Baat", "Kismat", "Deewana", "Jaan", "Yaad", "Chanda Ki Doli", and "Colours of Love". He has released an album titled "Pyar" in the Panjabi language. In September 2007, he released a 6-disc collection of Mohammad Rafi's 100 best songs in the latter's memory. The collection is titled "Kal, Aaj, Aur Kal".

Over the years. Sonu has given concert performances in many countries, including United States, Canada, UK, France, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, UAE, Trinidad and Tobago, Mauritius, and South Africa. In May/June 2007, he participated in a star-studded show in North Ameraica called "The Incredibles" in which famed Asha Bhonsle and recent singing sensations, Kunal Ganjawala and Kailash Kher, participated. In September and October, respectively, of the same year, he gave a solo concert titled, "Simply Sonu", in Canada and Germany, (becoming the first Indian singer to perform in the latter country).

In November 2007, at the inauguration of Harvard University's 28th president, Dr. Drew Gilpin Faust, Sonu sang with the Harvard College Sangeet the late Mahatma Gandhi's favorite bhajan, " Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye".

Television, radio and acting

Besides "Sa Re Ga Ma," Sonu Niigaam has also hosted the TV show Kisme Kitna Hai Dum and has been a judge on the show Indian Idol (aired on Sony Entertainment Television) seasons 1 and 2. Recently, Sonu returned to Indian Idol in its third season as a celebrity judge. He was also a celebrity judge on Amul Star Voice of India in August 2007. In October 2007, Sonu came back to the sets of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in a historical moment of sorts, this time as a judge (along with Suresh Wadkar) on the show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs International.

Last year, Sonu also hosted his own radio show called 'Life Ki Dhun With Sonu Niigaam' on Radiocity 91 FM, where he had the opportunity of interviewing several music industry greats, including the legendary Lata Mangeshkar.

Sonu's acting career started as a child artist in a number of films. As an adult, Sonu has acted in a few more films as an adult, namely 'Jaani Dushmaan' alongside Sunny Deol, Manisha Koirala and Akshay Kumar as well as other actors; 'Kash Aap Hamaare Hote' where he plays the lead opposite Juhi Babbar, daughter of Raj Babbar; and lastly Love in Nepal with 'Flora Saini' and 'Sweta Keswani', where he plays the lead again. However it is to be said that all three films have not done terribly well at the box-office. although his acting was much better appreciated in his latest venture. He has not taken up acting since his last venture in Love in Nepal, but has recently been said to be involved in another film as a lead actor. The film, called 'Ankhon Ankhon Mein' is supposedly about a blind singer.

Future projects

His future projects include a semi-classical album called "New Age Classical", an English album called "Spirit Unfolding". He may be acting in a new film called Ankhon Hi Ankhon Mein, about a blind singer, soon, although he has not officially signed it yet. He is also releasing an album of 18 golden Mohammad Rafi covers called "Rafi Resurrected" with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in May 2008 and will tour with the CBSO this July at venues including the English National Opera in London. He is also doing playback singing for a number of upcoming films, including Jodhaa-Akbar (starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker), Chandan Arora's Striker (starring Siddharth), Yaariyan (Punjabi film starring Gurdas Mann and Bhoomika Chawla), Run Mein Fun (starring Urmila Matondkar) and Subhash Ghai's Bombay to Bangkok (starri

Personal life

Sonu was born to parents Agam Kumar Nigam and Shobha Nigam. He attended the J.D. Tytler School. He has two sisters, Meenal and Neekita. Sonu is very close to his parents. Both his father and mother are good singers, and in 2005 and '07 his father released two highly popular albums, "Bewafaai"and "Phir Bewafaai", respectively. Neekita is also a singer. She has sung a few playback songs and appeared on a few stage shows with Sonu. Sonu married Madhurima on 15 February 2002. They have a son, Nevaan, born on July 25, 2007.

Awards

• 2006, Bollywood Music and Fashion Awards, Best Male Playback Singer for Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, Title Track.
• 2005, Swaralaya Yesudas Award, for his outstanding performance in Music.
• 2005, MTV Immies - Best Pop Album, for his self-composed album titled "Chanda Ki Doli".
• 2005, Star Screen Award Best Male Playback, for the song "Dheere Jalna", from the film "Paheli"
• 2005, Indian Television Award Best Singer for Miliee Title Track.
• 2005, Anadolok Award for "Chanda Ki Doli" album.
• 2005, Lion Gold's Award for the song Main Hoon Na from the film "Main Hoon Na"
• 2005, Teachers' Achievement Award
• 2005, Style Icon, MTV Style Awards.
• 2004, MTV Immies - Best Male Singer, for the song "Main Hoon Na", from the film "Main Hoon Na"
• 2004, National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer, for the song "Kal Ho Naa Ho", from the film Kal Ho Naa Ho
• 2004, IIFA Best Male Playback Award, for the song "Kal Ho Naa Ho", from the film Kal Ho Naa Ho
• 2004, Bollywood Music Award for Best Male Playback Singer for "Kal Ho Na Ho" from the film Kal Ho Naa Ho
• 2004, Apsara Film Producers' Guild Award for Best Male Playback Singer for "Kal Ho Na Ho" from the film Kal Ho Naa Ho
• 2003, Filmfare Best Male Playback Award, for the song "Kal Ho Naa Ho", from the film Kal Ho Naa Ho".
• 2003, Zee Cine Award Best Playback Singer- Male, for the song "Saathiya", from the film "Saathiya"
• 2003, IIFA Best Male Playback Award, for the song "Saathiya", from the film "Saathiya"
• 2003, MTV Immies - Best Male Singer, for the song "Saathiya" from the film "Saathiya".
• 2003, Bollywood Music Award fpr Best Male Playback Singer for the song "Saathiya" from the film "Saathiya"
• 2003, Style Icon, MTV Style Awards.
• 2002, Filmfare Best Male Playback Award, for the song "Saathiya", from the film Saathiya.
• 2002, Zee Cine Award Best Playback Singer- Male, for the song "Suraj Hua Maddham", from the film "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham"
• 2002, IIFA Best Male Playback Award, for the song "Suraj Hua Maddham", from the film "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham"
• 2002, Bollywood Music Award for Best Pop Singer for the album "Yaad"
• 2001, Star Screen Award Best Male Playback, for the song "Tanhayee", from the film "Dil Chahta Hai"
• 1998, Zee Cine Award Best Playback Singer- Male, for the song "Sandese Aate Hai", from the film "Border"
• 1998, Star Screen Award for Best Male Pop Artist.
• 1997, Aashirwad Award for Best Male Singer for the song "Sandese Aate Hai", from the film "Border"
• 1997, Sansui Viewers' Choice Award for Best Male Singer for the song "Sandese Aate Hai", from the film "Border"

Memorable hits

Song	Film	Year
Accha Sila Diya	Bewafa Sanam	1994
Yeh Dil Deewana	Pardes	1997
Sandese Aate Hain	Border	1997
Satrangi Re	Dil Se	1998
Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaaye	Sarfarosh	1999
Mere Humsafar	Refugee	2000
Panchhi Nadiyan	Refugee	2000
Tanhayee	Dil Chahta Hai	2001
Suraj Hua Maddham	Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham	2001
Is pyar ko main	Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai	2001
Saathiya	Saathiya	2002
Mera rang de Basanti	The Legend of Bhagat Singh	2002
Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna	The Legend of Bhagat Singh	2002
Kal Ho Naa Ho, Movie	Kal Ho Na Ho	2003
Ghum Shuda	Chalte Chalte	2003
Main Hoon Na	Main Hoon Naa	2004
Sun Zara	Lucky: No Time for Love	2005
Chori Chori	Lucky: No Time for Love	2005
Piyu Bole	Parineeta	2005
Soona Man Ka Aangan	Parineeta	2005
Halka Halka Sa Yeh Sama	Chocolate	2005
Just Chill	Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya	2005
Falak Dekhoon	Garam Masala	2005
Ada	Garam Masala	2005
Dheere Jalna	Paheli	2005
No Entry (Ishq Di Gali Vich)	No Entry	2005
Mere Haath Mein	Fanaa	2006
Dil Wich Lagya Re	Chup Chup Ke	2006
Dekho Na	Fanaa	2006
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna	Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna	2006
Tumhi Dekho Na	Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna	2006
Pyaar Ki Ek Kahani	Krrish	2006
Koi Tumsa Nahin	Krrish	2006
Pal Pal Har Pal	Lage Raho Munna Bhai	2006
Bande Mein Tha Dum	Lage Raho Munna Bhai	2006
Humko Maloom Hai	Jaan-E-Mann	2006
Ajnabi Shehar	Jaan-E-Mann	2006
Sau Dard Hain	Jaan-E-Mann	2006
Behka Diya Humein	Umrao Jaan	2006
Aaj Ki Raat	Don	2006
Anisuthide Yaako indu	Mungaaru Male	2006
Mungaru Maleye	Mungaaru Male	2006
Salaam-E-Ishq	Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute To Love	2007
Tenu Leke	Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute To Love	2007
Apne	Apne	2007

Albums

Album title	Language	Year
Sapnay Ki Baat	Hindi	1997
Kismat	Hindi	1998
Mausam	Hindi	1999
Pariyon Se	Hindi	1999
Deewana	Hindi	1999
Jaan	Hindi	2000
Yaad	Hindi	2001
Chanda Ki Doli	Hindi	2005
Colours of Love	Hindi	2007
Pyar	Punjabi	2007
Classically Mild	Hindi	2008

Filmography

Film Title	Character	Year
Kaamchor	Child Artist	1982
Ustaadi Ustaad Ke	Child artist	1982
Betaab	Young Sunny	1983
Hum se hai zamana	Child artist	1983
Taqdeer	Child artist	1983
Jaani Dushman	Vivek Saxena	2002
Kaash..Aap Hamare Hote	Jai Kumar	2003
Love In Nepal	Abby	2004
Navra Maajha Navsacha (Marathi)	Himself	2005

External links

• Sonu Nigam at IMDb
• www.sonunigam.in (His upcoming official site)