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Sonu Nigam
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 successfully. 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 recognised for his versatile voice as well as excellent emotion range. Sonu has sung with clear pronunciations, in many languages besides Hindi, including Kannada, Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu and Marathi.
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". The very recent addition to this list is "Classically Mild", best among all. 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". Soon after releasing "Classically Mild", he released a single Punjabi track called "Punjabi Please".
Over the years. Sonu has given concert performances in many countries, including United States, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Russia, Afghanistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bangkok, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, West Indies, Mauritius, Nigeria and South Africa. In May/June 2007, he participated in a star-studded show in North America 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 April 2008, he did a marathon of concerts in various cities in India, promoting his Punjabi single "Punjabi Please"
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 Nigam 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 including 1983's Betaab. As an adult, Sonu has acted in a few more films namely Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani alongside Sunny Deol, Manisha Koirala and Akshay Kumar as well as other actors; Kash Aap Hamare 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 well at the box-office. although his acting was much better appreciated in his last venture. He has not taken up acting since his last venture 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 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 Chandan Arora's Striker (starring Siddharth), Yaariyan (Punjabi film starring Gurdas Mann, Bhoomika Chawla and Run Mein Fun (starring Urmila Matondkar).
Personal life And Voluntary Work
Sonu was born to Mr Agam Kumar Nigam and Mrs Shobha Nigam on July 30, 1973 in Faridabad, Haryana, India. He attended the J.D. Tyler 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 2007 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 26, 2007.
He is very much into fitness and yoga exercises. He claims to be spiritual rather than religious.
Sonu has done various charity work all over India as well as abroad for Dignity Foundation, Cancer organizations, Leprosy organizations, Blindness organizations, Womens welfare organizations, Kargil war affected families, Earthquake affected families. He also sponsors a child from the organization “Crayon”.
Awards
* 2008, GPBA (German Public Bollywood Award), Best Singer (Male) for Mein Agar Kahoon, Om Shanti Om
* 2007, Annual Central European Bollywood Awards, Best Male Playback Singer for Mein Agar Kahoon, Om Shanti Om
* 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
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
You Are My Sonia 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
Tumse Milke Dil Ka 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
Main Agar Kahoon Om Shanti Om 2007
In Lamhon Ke Daaman Mein Jodhaa Akbar 2008
Albums
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
Masti ke lutere 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
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