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A Manqabat is a Sufi devotional poem, in praise of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the son-in-law of Muhammad, or of any Sufi saint.

In Qawwali, manqabats are sung to music. The most well known of the qawwali manqabats is "Man Kunto Maula", written by Amir Khusrau in praise of Ali. This manqabat has been performed by many famous singers and qawwals including Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Sabri Brothers, Aziz Mian, Abida Parveen, Fareed Ayaz and Qawwal Bahauddin.

This Sufism-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (Punjabi: نصرت فتح علی خان (Shahmukhī)) (October 13, 1948 – August 16, 1997), a world-renowned Pakistani musician, was primarily a singer of Qawwali, the devotional music of the Sufis (a mystical tradition within Islam). Considered one of the greatest singers ever recorded, he possessed a six-octave vocal range^{[citation needed]} and could perform at a high level of intensity for several hours.^[1] Extending the 600-year old Qawwali tradition of his family, Khan is widely credited with introducing Sufi music to international audiences.^[2][3] He was popularly known as "Shahenshah-e-Qawwali", meaning "The King of Kings of Qawwali".^[4]

Born in Faisalabad, Pakistan, Khan had his first public performance at age of 16, at his father's chelum. He officially became the head of the family qawwali party in 1971, and was signed by Oriental Star Agencies (OSA), Birmingham, U.K., in the early 1980s. In subsequent years, Khan released movie scores and albums for various labels in Pakistan, Europe, Japan and the U.S. He engaged in collaborations and experiments with Western artists, becoming a well-known world music artist in the process. He toured extensively, performing in over 40 countries.^[5]

Biography[link]

Early life and career[link]

Khan was born on October 13, 1948 in the city of Lyallpur (now Faisalabad), Pakistan. He was the fifth child and first son of Fateh Ali Khan, a musicologist, vocalist, instrumentalist, and Qawwal. Khan's family, which included four older sisters and a younger brother, Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan, grew up in central Lyallpur. Initially, his father did not want Khan to follow the family's vocation. He had his heart set on Khan choosing a much more respectable career path and becoming a doctor, because he felt Qawwali artists had low social status. However, Khan showed such an aptitude for, and interest in, Qawwali that his father finally relented.^[6] Khan began by learning to play tabla alongside his father before progressing to learn Raag Vidya and Bol Bandish. He then went on to learn to sing within the classical framework of khayal. Khan's training with his father was cut short when his father died in 1964, leaving Khan's paternal uncles, Mubarak Ali Khan and Salamat Ali Khan, to complete his training. His first performance was at a traditional graveside ceremony for his father, known as chehlum, which took place forty days after his father's death.

In 1971, after the death of Mubarak Ali Khan, Khan became the official leader of the family Qawwali party and the party became known as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mujahid Mubarak Ali Khan & Party. Khan's first public performance as the leader of the Qawwali party was at a studio recording broadcast as part of an annual music festival organised by Radio Pakistan, known as Jashn-e-Baharan. Khan sang mainly in Urdu and Punjabi and occasionally in Persian, Braj Bhasha and Hindi. His first major hit in Pakistan was the song Haq Ali Ali, which was performed in a traditional style and with traditional instrumentation. The song featured restrained use of Khan's sargam improvisations.

In 1979, Khan married his first cousin, Naheed (the daughter of Fateh Ali Khan's brother, Salamat Ali Khan); they had one daughter, Nida.^[7]

Early in his career, Khan was signed up by Oriental Star Agencies in the U.K. to their Star Cassette Label. OSA sponsored regular concert tours by Khan to the U.K. from the early '80s onwards, and released much of this live material on cassette, CD, videotape and DVD.G

Later career[link]

In the 1992–93 academic year, Khan was a Visiting Artist in the Ethnomusicology department at the University of Washington, Seattle.^[8]

Khan teamed with Peter Gabriel on the soundtrack to The Last Temptation of Christ in 1985, with Canadian musician Michael Brook on the albums Mustt Mustt (1990) and Night Song (1996),^[9] and with Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder in 1995 on two songs for the soundtrack to Dead Man Walking. One of these songs ("The Long Road") was re-used on the soundtrack for Eat Pray Love in 2010. Khan also contributed to the soundtrack of Natural Born Killers. He composed the music for the 1994 film Bandit Queen in collaboration with Roger White.

Peter Gabriel's Real World label later released five albums of Khan's traditional Qawwali, together with some of his experimental work which included the albums Mustt Mustt and Star Rise. Khan provided vocals for The Prayer Cycle, which was put together by Jonathan Elias, but died before the vocals could be completed. Alanis Morissette was brought in to sing with his unfinished vocals. Khan also collabrated with Michael Brook to create music for the song "Sweet Pain" used in the movie Any Given Sunday. He also performed traditional Qawwali before international audiences at several WOMAD world music festivals and the single "Dam Mast Qalandar" was remixed by electronic trip hop group Massive Attack in 1998.

His album Intoxicated Spirit was nominated for a Grammy award in 1997 for best traditional folk album.

Khan contributed songs to, and performed in, several Pakistani films. Shortly before his death, he recorded a song each for two Bollywood films, Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya (in which he also sang the song onscreen) and Kachche Dhaage. He sang the title song of the film Dhadkan. He also sang "Saya bhi saath jab chhod jaye" for Sunny Deol's movie Dillagi. The song was released in 1999, two years after Khan's death.

Khan contributed the song "Gurus of Peace" to the album Vande Mataram, composed by A. R. Rahman, and released to celebrate the 50th anniversary of India's independence. Rahman, who was a big fan of Khan could not do further songs with him. As a tribute, Rahman later released an album titled Gurus of Peace, which featured "Allah Hoo" by Khan. Rahman's 2007 song "Tere Bina" was also done as a tribute to Khan.^[10]

After his death, the song "Solemn Prayer", on which Khan provided vocals, was used on the Peter Gabriel song "Signal to Noise" (on the album Up), and on the soundtrack to the Martin Scorsese film Gangs of New York.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Khan Fateh Ali Khan holds the world record for the largest recorded output by a Qawwali artist—a total of 125 albums as of 2001.

Death[link]

Khan was taken ill with kidney and liver failure on August 11, 1997 in London, England, while on the way to Los Angeles in order to receive a kidney transplant. He died of a sudden cardiac arrest at Cromwell Hospital, London, on Saturday, August 16, 1997, aged 48.^[11] His body was returned to Faisalabad, Pakistan, and his funeral was attended by the public.

Composition of Nusrat's qawwali party[link]

The composition of Khan's ensemble, called a "party" (or "Humnawa" in Urdu), changed over its 26 years. Listed below is a snapshot of the party, circa 1983:

1. Mujahid Mubarak Ali Khan: Khan's first cousin, vocals
2. Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan: Khan's brother, vocals and lead harmonium
3. Rehmat Ali: vocals and second harmonium
4. Maqsood Hussain: vocals
5. Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: Khan's nephew and pupil, vocals
6. Dildar Hussain: percussion
7. Majawar Abbas: mandolin and guitar/chorus, handclapping
8. Mohammed Iqbal Naqvi: secretary of the party, chorus, handclapping
9. Asad Ali: chorus, handclapping. Khan's cousin
10. Ghulam Farid: chorus, handclapping
11. Kaukab Ali: chorus, handclapping

The one significant member of the party who does not appear on this list is Atta Fareed. For many years, he alternated with Rehmat Ali on vocals and second harmonium. He is easily identifiable in videos since he plays the harmonium left-handed.

This snapshot is non-representative in one respect: harmoniums were usually the only instruments. Only rarely were instruments like mandolin or guitar used.

Awards and titles[link]

Khan is widely considered to be the most important qawwal in history.^[12][13] In 1987, Khan received the President of Pakistan’s Award for Pride of Performance for his contribution to Pakistani music.^[8][14] In 1995 he received the UNESCO Music Prize.^[15][16] In 1996 he was awarded Grand Prix des Amériques at Montreal World Film Festival for exceptional contribution to the art of cinema.^[17] In 2005, Khan was awarded the "Legends" award at the UK Asian Music Awards.^[18] Time magazine's issue of November 6, 2006, "60 Years of Asian Heroes", lists him as one of the top 12 artists and thinkers in the last 60 years.^[19] He also appeared on NPR's 50 Great Voices list in 2010.^[20] In August 2010 he was included in CNN's list of the twenty most iconic musicians from the past fifty years.^[21]

Many honorary titles were bestowed upon Khan during his 25-year music career. He was given the title of Ustad after performing classical music at a function in Lahore on his father's death anniversary.^[22]

Tributes, legacy and influence[link]

Alexandra A. Seno of Asiaweek wrote:^[23]

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's voice was otherworldly. For 25 years, his mystical songs transfixed millions. It was not long enough ... He performed qawali, which means wise or philosophical utterance, as nobody else of his generation did. His vocal range, talent for improvisation and sheer intensity were unsurpassed.

Jeff Buckley cited Khan as a major influence, saying of him "He's my Elvis", and performing the first few minutes of Khan's hit "Yeh Jo Halka Halka Suroor Hai" (including vocals) at live concerts.^[24][25] Many other artists have also cited Khan as an influence, such as A. R. Rahman,^[26] Sheila Chandra,^[27] and Alim Qasimov.^[28]

Paul Williams picked a concert performance by Khan for inclusion in his 2000 book The 20th Century's Greatest Hits: a 'top-40' list, in which he devotes a chapter each to what he considers the top 40 artistic achievements of the 20th century in any field (including art, movies, music, fiction, non-fiction, science-fiction).^[29]

In 2008, Khan was listed in 14th position in UGO's list of the best singers of all time.^[30]

In 2004, a tribute band called (Brooklyn Qawwali Party) (formerly Brook's Qawwali Party) was formed in New York City by percussionist Brook Martinez to perform the music of Khan. The 13-piece group still performs mostly instrumental jazz versions of Khan's qawwalis, using the instruments conventionally associated with jazz rather than those associated with qawwali.^[31]

Films[link]

Documentaries[link]

• Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: le dernier prophète (1996). Directed by Jérôme de Missolz.
• Nusrat has Left the Building... But When? (1997). Directed by Farjad Nabi. (This 20-minute docudrama focuses on Khan's early career.)
• A Voice from Heaven (1999). Directed by Giuseppe Asaro. New York, NY: Winstar TV & Video. (This 75-minute documentary, available on VHS and DVD, provides an introduction to Khan's life and work.)
• Samandar Main Samandar (2007). A documentary aired on Geo TV detailing Khan's career.
• The King of Qawalli (2009). A short film aired on Dawn News about Khan's life and career.

Concert films[link]

• The JVC Video Anthology of World Music and Dance (1990). Video 14 (of 30) (South Asia IV). Produced by Ichikawa Katsumori; directed by Nakagawa Kunikiko and Ichihashi Yuji; in collaboration with the National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka. [Tokyo]: JVC, Victor Company of Japan; Cambridge, Massachusetts: distributed by Rounder Records. Features a studio performance by Khan and Party (two Urdu-language songs: a Hamd, and a Manqabat for Khwaja Mu`inuddin Chishti. Filmed in Tokyo, Japan, September 20, 1987, for Asian Traditional Performing Arts).
• Nusrat! Live at Meany (1998). Produced by the University of Washington. (87-minute recording of a January 23, 1993 concert at Meany Hall, University of Washington in Seattle, during Khan's residency at the Ethnomusicology Program there.)
• Live in Concert in the U.K. (DVD, vols. 1–17) [OSA]; recorded between 1983 and 1993; first thirteen listed below:
  • Live in Concert in UK (DVD vol. 1)
  • Live in Concert (DVD vol. 2)
  • Live in Concert (DVD vol. 3)
  • Live in UK (DVD vol. 4)
  • Live in UK (DVD vol. 5)
  • Live in Concert (DVD vol. 6)
  • Live in UK (DVD vol. 7)
  • Live in UK (DVD vol. 8)
  • Live in UK (DVD vol. 9)
  • Live in UK (DVD vol. 10)
  • Live in UK (DVD vol. 11)
  • Digbeth Birmingham 12 November 1983 (DVD vol. 12)
  • Digbeth 30 October 1983 (DVD vol. 13)
• Akhiyan Udeek Diyan (DVD) [Nupur Audio]
• Je Tun Rab Nu Manauna (DVD) [Nupur Audio]
• Yaadan Vicchre Sajan Diyan Aayiyan (DVD) [Nupur Audio]
• Rang-e-Nusrat (DVD, vols. 1–11) [Music Today]; recorded between 1983 and 1993 (same material as the OSA DVDs)
• VHS videotapes, vols. 1–21 [OSA]; recorded between 1983 and 1993 (same material as the OSA DVDs)
  • Luxor Cinema Birmingham (VHS vol. 1, 1979)
  • Digbeth Birmingham (VHS vol. 2, 1983)
  • St. Francis Hall Birmingham (VHS vol. 3, 1983)
  • Royal Oak Birmingham (VHS vol. 4, 1983)
  • Private Mehfil (Wallace Lawley Centre, Lozells Birmingham, November 1983) (VHS vol. 5)
  • Private Mehfil (VHS vol. 6, 1983)
  • Natraj Cinema Leicester (VHS vol. 7, 1983)
  • Live In Southall (VHS vol. 8)
  • Live In Bradford (VHS vol. 9, 1983)
  • Live In Birmingham (VHS vol. 10, 1985)
  • Allah Ditta Hall (VHS vol. 11, 1985)
  • Harrow Leisure Centre (VHS vol. 12)
  • University Of Aston (VHS vol. 13, 1988)
  • Aston University (VHS vol. 14, 1988)
  • WOMAD Festival Bracknell (VHS vol. 15, 1988)
  • Live In Paris (VHS vol. 16, 1988)
  • Poplar Civic Centre London (VHS vol. 17)
  • Imperial Hotel Birmingham (VHS vol. 18, 1985)
  • Slough Gurdawara (SHABADS) (VHS vol. 19)
  • Imran Khan Cancer Appeal (VHS vol. 20)
  • Town Hall Birmingham (VHS vol. 21, 1993)

See also[link]

• List of Pakistani musicians
• Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan albums

References[link]

Additional reading[link]

• Baud, Pierre-Alain. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, The Messenger of Qawwali. Editions Demi-Lune, 2008. (A biography of Nusrat)

External links[link]

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

• Article with brief 1993 interview (edwebproject.org)
• King of Qawali documentary on YouTube
• NPR Audio Report: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: The Voice Of Pakistan
• Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan at the Internet Movie Database

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Sonu Nigam
Background information
Born	(1973-07-30) 30 July 1973 (age 38) Faridabad, Haryana, India
Genres	Pop, playback singing
Occupations	Singer, Actor, Music Director, Television presenter, Radio jockey
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1985–present
Website	sonunigam.in

Sonu Nigam (born 30 July 1973 in Faridabad, Haryana, India)^[1] is an Indian singer whose songs have been featured in numerous Hindi and Kannada movies, as well as films in Tamil, Assamese, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi and Telugu. He has also released numerous Indi-pop albums and acted in a few Hindi movies. He had changed the spelling of his last name from 'Nigam' to 'Niigaam' in accordance with numerology, but later returned to the original spelling 'Nigam'.^[2]

Career[link]

Early years and playback singing[link]

Sonu Nigam began his singing career at the age of three, when he joined his father on stage to sing Mohammed Rafi's "Kya Hua Tera Vaada, Wo Kasam Wo Irada". From then on Sonu accompanied his father on his singing appearances at weddings and parties. In his teenage years he successfully participated in several music competitions. He moved to Mumbai with his father to begin his Bollywood singing career at the age of 19.^[3]

His initial years in Mumbai proved to be a struggle, beginning by singing covers of Mohammed Rafi songs, mainly for a number of Rafi Ki Yaadein albums released by T-Series. T-Series promoter Gulshan Kumar played a key role in identifying Nigam's talent by giving him a chance to reach a larger audience. These albums contributed to T-Series for some years although Nigam's singing style was regarded by some to be like that of a "Rafi clone". Nigam's first movie song as a playback singer was Janam (1990), which was never officially released. He also got a break in radio commercials until he appeared on the popular TV show Sa Re Ga Ma, after which there was no turning back. He was trained by classical singer Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan.

Nigam started hosting Sa Re Ga Ma in 1995 with the first episode airing on 1 May 1995. The television singing talent competition soon became one of the most popular shows on Indian television. Soon after, he sang "Accha Sila Diya" on the album Bewafa Sanam (1995), which was very successful.^[3] Singing offers started pouring in thereafter, albeit slowly at first. He rose to fame with the Anu Malik-composed song "Sandese Aate Hain," in Border in 1997. Sonu's Album "Deewana" with released with T-Series in 1999, identified his talent of singing romantic songs and remains one of the most successful albums ever. Sonu's image as a 'Rafi clone' changed after his rendition of the Nadeem-Shravan-composed song "Yeh Dil Deewana" in Pardes in the same year. Since then, he has created a unique style and has become a role model for emerging vocal talent in India.^[3]

Over the years, Nigam 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 the title song of the film Kal Ho Naa Ho has been very popular. He is recognized for his singing of romantic, rock, sad, and patriotic songs. Nigam has sung songs in many languages besides Hindi, including Kannada, Bengali, Oriya, Punjabi], Tamil, |Telugu, English, Bhojpuri, Urdu, Nepali, Chhattisgarhi, Malayalam and Marathi.^[3]

Pop albums and concerts[link]

Sonu has released a number of pop albums, in Hindi, Punjabi and Kannada. The most recent addition to his Hindi releases is Classically Mild, a semi-classical album.^[4] He has also released Hindu and Islamic devotional albums, as well as albums of Mohammed Rafi's songs. These are from the Rafi Ki Yaadein collection in his early years, which have been re-released in September 2007 as a six-disc collection of 100 songs, titled Kal Aaj Aur Kal, in Mohammed Rafi's memory.^[5] In 2008, soon after releasing Classically Mild, he released a single Punjabi track called "Punjabi Please"^[6] and Rafi Resurrected, a two-disc collection of Mohammed Rafi songs with music by the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. He has contributed to the lyrics of several of his album songs and directed the music for his album Chanda Ki Doli. His last album was Neene Bari Neene in Kannada.

After the death of Michael Jackson, of whom Sonu Nigam was considerably influenced (as is evident in his rendition of "Dil Deewana" in Pardes), Nigam released a tribute song to Jackson in collaboration with his fans on Facebook. The song made it to an 18-song global compilation of tribute songs CD The Beat of Our Hearts.^[7]

Sonu Nigam has also collaborated with Britney Spears on a remix of her "I Wanna Go" track.^[8]

Over the years, Nigam has given concert performances in many countries, including the United States, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Russia, Afghanistan, the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, West Indies, Suriname, Mauritius, Nigeria and South Africa. In May/June 2007, he participated in a star-studded show in North America called "The Incredibles," in which Asha Bhosle, Kunal Ganjawala and Kailash Kher participated. In September and October of the same year, he gave solo concerts titled "Simply Sonu" in Canada and Germany (becoming the first Indian singer to perform in the latter country).^[9] In April 2008, he did a marathon of concerts in cities in India, promoting his Punjabi single "Punjabi Please".^[10]

In November 2007, at the inauguration of Harvard University's 28th president, Dr. Drew Gilpin Faust, Nigam sang Mahatma Gandhi's favorite bhajan, "Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye", with the Harvard College Sangeet.^[11]

In July 2008, he participated in a three-city tour of the United Kingdom, singing Mohammed Rafi songs with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra].^[12] This followed the release of these songs by the CBSO and the Indian music company Sa Re Ga Ma in the album Rafi Resurrected.^[13]

Amongst several other concerts, he notably participated in a US tour with Sunidhi Chauhan in 2009 called "The Explosion 2009" tour and in a UK tour titled "All Izz Well" in November 2010. He is now going to share stage in April 2012 with Atif Aslam at The O2 Arena, London in Flex FX Dhamaka^[14] concert to promote love, peace & unity among India and Pakistan.

Radio and acting[link]

In 2006, Sonu Nigam hosted his own radio show called Life Ki Dhun with Sonu Niigaam on Radiocity 91.1 FM, where he had the opportunity to interview music industry greats, including Lata Mangeshkar on the last aired episode.^[15]

Nigam's acting career^[16] started as a child artist in a number of films including 1983's Betaab. As an adult, he 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 male lead opposite Juhi Babbar, daughter of Raj Babbar; and most recently, Love in Nepal with Flora Saini and Sweta Keswani, where he again plays a leading role. None of the films have done well at the box office, although his acting was much better appreciated in his last venture. He has not taken up acting since 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 about a blind singer.^[17]

Television[link]

Sonu Nigam was the host of Sa Re Ga Ma from 1 May 1995 to 1999. He was the first host.^[18] He returned on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs International as a judge with Suresh Wadkar in October 2007. Nigam was a celebrity judge on the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Mega Challenge grand finale on 12 December, 2009 which marked the 1000th episode.

He hosted the TV show Kisme Kitna Hai Dum on Star Plus in 2002.

Nigam appeared as the judge for Indian Idol in season 1 (October 2004–March 2005) and season 2 (November 2005–April 2006). He was a celebrity judge in season 3 (17 August 2007) and season 4 (16 January 2009 and 6 February 2009).

He also appeared as a celebrity judge on Amul STAR Voice of India in August 2007 (Season 1) and in December 2008 (Season 2) and on the grand finale of music reality show Jo Jeeta Wohi Super Star on 12 July 12, 2008.

Nigam was a judge/mentor on Chhote Ustaad - Do Deshon Ki Ek Awaaz (July 2010–October 2010) with Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Nigam lend his voice for the lead character, Aladdin in the Hindi translated version of Aladdin animated movie.^[19]

He was a judge/mentor on the first season of X Factor (India) (May 29, 2011 – September 2, 2011) along with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Shreya Ghoshal.^[18]

Future projects[link]

Nigam is working on an English album called Spirit Unfolding.^[20]

He is working on a project called Time Travel, wherein his voice will be aligned with recordings of other singers in Hindi songs.^[21]

In Kannada[link]

Sonu Nigam’s first Kannada song was in the year 1996 from the film Jeevanadi starring South Super Star Dr. Vishnuvardhan and the song was ‘Ello Yaro Hego’ composed by Music director Koti and written by Kannada’s very popular lyricist R.N.Jayagopal.^[22] Sonu Nigam has sung almost 600 Kannada songs until date ^[23] and has also won filmfares, Kannada television awards etc for his Kannada blockbuster songs. Though he sang hit songs initially like ‘Cheluve Yeke Bande’ from the film Majnu composed by Gurukiran,^[24] ‘Usire Usire’ from Huccha composed by Rajesh Ramnath,^[25] Title track from the film Monalisa composed by Valisa Sandeep,^[26] Hamsave Hamsave from the film Gatti mela composed by Hamsalekha,^[27] Kannale Kannale from the film Aham Premasmi composed by V.Ravichandran,^[28] Baaninda Baa Chandira from the movie Kanti composed by Gurukiran,^[29] it was in 2006 blockbuster film Mungaru Male that created a sensation and several records, mainly in Karnataka ^[30][31][32] that Sonu Nigam shot to fame. The songs not only created records of highest sales and downloads, but the film too set a national record on December 29, 2007 of having completed 1 whole year at the PVR Cinemas Bengaluru. This was the first time in the history of any multiplexes in the national level that an India language film has had a one whole year run at the box office where films keep changing every week.^[33][34][35] The songs Mungaru Maleye and Anisuthide were composed by Mano Murthy and written by Yogaraj Bhat and Jayant Kaikini respectively. He never looked back from then. Sonu Nigam became a sensation in the South and is called the Golden Singer of Karnataka and he himself says that he finds Kannada songs more fulfilling than the Hindi numbers.^[36][37][38] Sonu Nigam, in a recent interview to the Deccan Herald news paper has said ‘Kannada songs make me feel positive’.^[39]

After that, his blockbuster hits like Kanaso Idu, Ade Bhoomi Ade Baanu, Ee Sanje Yaakaagide, Ninna Gungalle, Maayavi Maayavi, Gelathi Neeniruvaaga, Ello Maleyaagide, Ninnindale Ninnindale, Male Ninthu Hoda Mele, Aaramagi Idde naanu, Maayavaagide manassu, Maathinalli helalaarenu, Odi Bandenu, Ninnanne Nodutha, Athi Aparoopa, Udisuve Belakina Seereya, Nooraru Preethi Maathu, Janumada Jodi, Minchaagi Neenu, Jeeva Kaleva, Onde Samane, Neeralli Sanna, Eradu Jadeyannu, Hethavalalla Avalu, Yaava Seemeya, Ellavannu Heluvaase, Nudisale, Nodutha Nodutha, Nee Sanihake Bandare, Yeno Helabeku, Maleyali Jotheyali, Paravasha, Maanasa Gange, Gup Chup, Modada Olage, Aaakasha Neene, Dil Khush, Kan Kanna Salige, Maathu Nannolu, Neenendare Nannolage, Neenendare Nanage Ishta, Ille Ille Ello, Ninna Kannallide, Summane Yaake Bande, Hrudayave Bayaside Ninnane, Ee Sanje Mabbu Raathri, Ee Janmavu, Ninna Nodalentho, Enaagali Munde, Putta Putta Kai, Munduduva, Kannaliddare Kanassu, Gaaliye Nodu Baa, Ninninda Haaganthe, Bhoomi Suthodu, Onde Samane Mididide Ee Manassu, Hrudayavu Ninnade, Maleya Haniyalli, Ommomme Yaako, Preethiyali Haaduve Ninagoskara, Ondooral Oblu Cheluve, Kaddu Nodala, Mathe Mathe Ninna, Enaaytho Adeneyatho, Sanju Mathu Geetha, Jotheyalli Nee Baaro, O Gunavantha, Baa Maleye Baa, Dhim Dhim, Nijaana Naanenaa, Koncha Hunnime, chalisuvaa cheluve, Ee Bisilali, Midiva Ninna Hrudayadalli, Onde Ninna Nota Saaku and many more have struck the chord with the audience in such a way that he has a very huge fan following in Karnataka.^[40][41][42]

And with the same record breaking Mungaru Male combination, Music Director Mano Murthy, lyricist Jayant Kaikini and Sonu Nigam got together with the Kannada album Neene Bari Neene produced by Ashok Kheny. All songs from the album were big hits. Especially the two songs Neene Bari Neene and Baa Nodu Gelathi that were shot in the outskerts of Bengaluru featuring Sonunigam and Model Madhuri Bhattacharya in the lead.^[43][44] Sonu Nigam also composed a theme song for the Karnataka Bulldozer's team in the Celebrity Cricket League. The song was sung by Sonu Nigam himself, Kunal Ganjawala and Sowmya Raoh, who also penned the lyrics.^[45]

Dubbing career[link]

Sonu Nigam is also in the Dubbing Industry on where he voices certain roles in Hindi from foreign films, especially Hollywood films.

Dubbing Roles[link]

Animated Films[link]

Personal life and voluntary work[link]

Sonu Nigam during a Peace Rally in Mumbai on 20th November 2011

Sonu Nigam comes from a merchant family. Born to Agam Kumar Nigam and Shobha Nigam on 30 July 1973 in Faridabad, Haryana, India, he attended the J.D. Tytler School. He has two sisters, Meenal and Neekita. In the last few years his father has released several hit albums including "Bewafaai" and "Phir Bewafaai" and, more recently, "Bewafaai ka Aalam". Neekita is also an upcoming singer and has several songs and awards to her name, both in Hindi and Kannada. Sonu married Madhurima on 15 February 2002.^[47] They have a son, Nevaan, born in 2007.^[48] Nevaan is also very interested in music and has recently recorded a song with Lata Mangeshkar.

Sonu Nigam practices fitness and yoga exercises, and has trained in Taekwondo.^[1] He claims to be spiritual rather than religious.^[49]

Nigam has done work for various charities in India as well as abroad for Dignity Foundation, various cancer organizations, leprosy organizations, blindness organizations, women's welfare organizations, kargil war affected families, earthquake affected families. He also sponsors a child from the organization “Crayon”.^[1] He has made various appearances in the cause of HIV / AIDS and also has a song titled "Papa I'm sorry" relating to this. He has also released several songs and made several contributions to the cause of peace between India and Pakistan.

Awards and nominations[link]

Following are the awards and nominations for Sonu Nigam^[50]

• National Film Awards
  • 2004 - Won - National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer - "Kal Ho Naa Ho" - Kal Ho Naa Ho

• Filmfare Awards
  • 1997 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Sandese Aate Hain" - Border (with Roop Kumar Rathod)
  • 1999 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Ishq Bina" - Taal
  • 2000 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Tu Fiza Hain" - Fiza
  • 2000 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Panchhi Nadiyaan" - Refugee
  • 2001 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Suraj Hua Maddham" - Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...
  • 2002 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Saathiya" - Saathiya
  • 2003 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Kal Ho Naa Ho" - Kal Ho Naa Ho
  • 2004 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Do Pal" - Veer-Zaara
  • 2004 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Main Hoon Na" - Main Hoon Na
  • 2004 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Tumse Milke Dil Ka" - Main Hoon Na
  • 2005 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Dheere Jalna" - Paheli
  • 2005 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Piyu Bole" - Parineeta
  • 2006 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
  • 2007 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Main Agar Kahoon" - Om Shanti Om
  • 2008 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Inn Lamhon Ke" - Jodhaa Akbar
  • 2009 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Shukran Allah" - Kurbaan (with Salim Merchant)

• Filmfare Awards South
  • 2007 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer (Kannada) - "Ninnindale Ninnindale" - Milana
  • 2008 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer (Kannada) - "Eenagali Mundhe Saagu" - Mussanjemaatu ^[51]
  • 2008 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer (Kannada) - "Mayavagide Manasu" - Haage Summane
  • 2010 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer (Kannada) - "Hrudayave" - Krishnan Love Story

• Screen Awards
  • 1998 - Won - Best Male Pop Artist
  • 2000 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Panchhi Nadiyaan" - Refugee
  • 2001 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Tanhayee" - Dil Chahta Hai
  • 2001 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Is Pyaar Ko Main Kya Naam Doon" - Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai
  • 2003 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Kal Ho Naa Ho" - Kal Ho Naa Ho
  • 2004 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Tumse Milke Dil Ka" - Main Hoon Na
  • 2005 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Dheere Jalna" - Paheli
  • 2006 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Baawri Piya Ki" - Babul

• International Indian Film Academy Awards
  • 2000 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Panchhi Nadiyaan" - Refugee
  • 2001 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Suraj Hua Maddham" - Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...
  • 2001 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "You Are My Soniya" - Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...
  • 2002 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Saathiya" - Saathiya
  • 2003 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Kal Ho Naa Ho" - Kal Ho Naa Ho
  • 2004 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Main Hoon Na" - Main Hoon Na
  • 2005 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Piyu Bole" - Parineeta
  • 2006 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
  • 2009 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "All Izz Well" - 3 Idiots

• Zee Cine Awards
  • 1997 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Sandese Aate Hain" - Border ^†
  • 2001 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer – Male - "Suraj Hua Maddham" - Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...
  • 2001 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Tanhayee" - Dil Chahta Hai
  • 2002 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Saathiya" - Saathiya
  • 2003 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Kal Ho Naa Ho" - Kal Ho Naa Ho
  • 2004 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Main Hoon Na" - Main Hoon Na
  • 2005 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Piyu Bole" - Parineeta
  • 2005 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Dheere Jalna" - Paheli
  • 2006 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna" - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
  • 2007 - Nominated - Best Male Playback Singer - "Main Agar Kahoon" - Om Shanti Om

• MTV Immies
  • 2002 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Saathiya" - Saathiya
  • 2003 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Main Hoon Na" - Main Hoon Na
  • 2004 - Won - Best Pop Album - Chanda Ki Doli

• MTV Style Awards
  • 2003 - Style Icon 2003
  • 2005 - Style Icon 2005

• Anandalok Awards
  • 2004 - Best Male Playback Singer - Bandhan^[52]
  • 2005 - Best Pop Album - Chanda Ki Doli

• Annual Central European Bollywood Awards
  • 2007 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Main Agar Kahoon" - Om Shanti Om
  • 2008 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Inn Lamhon Ke Daaman Me" - Jodhaa Akbar
  • 2009 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Shukran Allah" - Kurbaan

• Lions Gold Award
  • 2005 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Main Hoon Na" - Main Hoon Na
  • 2008 - Won - Best Male Playback Singer - "Inn Lamhon Ke Daaman Me" - Jodhaa Akbar

• Indian Television Academy Award
  • 2005 - Best Male Singer - Miliee
  • 2008 - Best Male Singer - Amber Dhara
  • 2009 - Best Male Singer - Dill Mill Gayye

• Other Awards
  • 1997 - Ashirwad Award for Best Male Playback Singer - "Sandese Aate Hain" - Border
  • 1997 - Sansui Viewers' Choice Award for Best Male Singer - "Sandese Aate Hain" - Border
  • 2003 - Apsara Film Producers' Guild Award for Best Male Playback Singer - "Kal Ho Naa Ho" - Kal Ho Naa Ho
  • 2005 - Swaralaya Yesudas Award, for his outstanding performance in Music
  • 2005 - Teachers' Achievement Award
  • 2006 - Nominated - Global Indian Film Awards - Best Male Playback Singer - "Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna" - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
  • 2010 - GIMA (Global Indian Music Award) for Best Live Performer (Male)^[53]
  • 2011 - GIMA (Global Indian Music Award) MTV MUSIC YOUTH ICON

Discography[link]

Filmography[link]

Nigam has acted in various films.

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Sonu Nigam

• Sonu Nigam at the Internet Movie Database
• Official site
• Sonu Nigam collaborates with Britney Spears

Abu Abdullah Musa ibn Mahdi al-Hadi (Arabic: أبو محمد موسى بن المهدي الهادي‎) (born: 147 AH; died: 170 AH)(born: 764; died: 786 AD)^[1] was the fourth Abbasid caliph who succeeded his father Al-Mahdi and ruled from 169 AH (785 AD) until his death in 170 AH (786 AD).^[2]

Al-Hadi was the eldest son of Al-Mahdi and Al-Khayzuran and like his father he was very open to the people of his empire and allowed citizens to visit him in the palace at Baghdad to address him. As such, he was considered an "enlightened ruler", and continued the progressive moves of his Abbasid predecessors.

His short rule was wreaked with numerous military conflicts. The revolt of Husayn ibn Ali ibn Hasan broke out when Husayn declared himself caliph in Medina. Al-Hadi crushed the rebellion and killed Husayn and many of his followers, but Idris bin Abdallah, a cousin of Husayn, escaped and aided by Wadih, Egyptian postal manager, reached Morocco where he founded the Idrisi state^{[citation needed]}. Al-Hadi also crushed a Kharijite rebellion as well as faced a Byzantine invasion. However, the Byzantines were turned back, and the Abbasid armies actually seized some territory from them^{[citation needed]}.

Al-Hadi died in 786^{[citation needed]}. al-Tabari notes varying accounts of this death, e.g. an abdominal ulcer or assassination prompted by al-Hadi's own step-mother^{[citation needed]}. Al-Tabari (v. 30 p. 42f) notes al-Hadi's assertion of independence from his mother, his forbidding her further involvement in public affairs and his threatening Harun's succession. al-Tabari says^{[citation needed]} others refer to al-Hadi's overtures to Harun. One account at Tabari cites has al-Hadi attempting to poison his mother:

"Yahya b. al-Hasan related that his father transmitted the information to him, saying: I heard Kalisah telling al-'Abbas b. al-Fadl b. al-Rabi that Musa sent to his mother al-Khayzuran a dish of rice, saying, "I found this tasty and accordingly ate some of it, so you have some too!" Khalisah related: But I said to her, "Don't touch it until you investigate further, for I am afraid that it might contain something to your detriment." So they brought in a dog; it ate some and fell down dead. Musa sent to al-Khayzuran afterwards and said, "How did you like the dish of rice?" She replied, "I enjoyed it very much." He said, "You can't have eaten it, because if you had, I would have been rid of you. When was any Caliph happy who had a mother (still alive)?" (v. 30 pp. 43–44)

The note on p. 42 of volume 30 of the sunni translation of at Tabari cites pp. 288–289 of the Kitab al-'Uyun for the possibility that al-Khayzuran feared al-Hadi would recover from his illness and thus had slave girls suffocate him. This note continues, "Certainly, his death appears as too opportune for so many people concerned that it should have been a natural one." The famous Muslim historian Ibn Khaldun discredited this claim^{[citation needed]}.

Character[link]

Al-Hadi was succeeded by his younger brother, Harun al-Rashid.

References[link]

Wikisource has original works written by or about: Al-Hadi

Bibliography[link]

• Al-Tabari, volume XXX "The Abbasid Caliphate in Equilibrium," transl. C.E. Bosworth, SUNY, Albany, 1989
• Al-Masudi, The Meadows of Gold, The Abbasids, transl. Paul Lunde and Caroline Stone, Kegan Paul, London and New York, 1989

Sufi Muhammad bin Alhazrat Hassan, born in Dir, is the founder of Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM), a Pakistani militant organisation with Wahabi and Deobandi learnings (declared a terrorist outfit and banned in 2002) vying for implementation of Sharia in Pakistan.^[1][2][3][4] It operates mainly in the Dir, Swat, and Malakand districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.^[3] Sufi Muhammad was jailed for sending thousands of volunteers to Afghanistan to fight the U.S.-led invasion in 2001.^[5] However, he was freed in 2008 after he renounced violence.^[6][7] He is the father-in-law of Maulana Fazlullah, who assumed the leadership of TNSM during Muhammad's imprisonment^[3][5][8]

Background[link]

Sufi Muhammad, born in Maidan, Dir, received religious education at Panj Pir, Swabi. The madrassah, those son of whose father is none other than Major Amir, famous for attempting an overthrow of Benazir Bhutto in the late 1980s in the infamous operation Midnight Jackal, is well known for running an illegal FM radio station. Other alleged alumni include Mangal Bagh Afridi, Fakir Mohammad, and even (dubiously) Maulana Fazlullah. He is the father-in-law of Maulana Fazlullah, his one-time student. It is alleged by some sources that Fazlullah did not seek Sufi Muhammad's permission to marry his daughter, and, as a result, was in hiding in Bajaur agency for many years.^{[citation needed]}

During the 1980s Sufi Muhammad actively participated in Jamaat-e-Islami, a Islamic political party of Pakistan. In 1992 he split from the group to form TNSM.^[3][9] TNSM was backed heavily by the government through Habibullah.^{[citation needed]}

After the Taliban was ousted from power in Afghanistan in 2001, he organized thousands of militants to fight the Northern Alliance. When Muhammad returned to Pakistan, he was arrested.^[3][5][9]

Sufi Muhammad remained in prison until 2008 when he agreed in talks with the Government of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to use his influence to work towards peace in the region.^[6][7]

February 2009 Ceasefire[link]

Maulana Sufi Muhammad took part in negotiations with the government that led to the announcement of a temporary ceasefire in the Malakand region on February 16, 2009. The Pakistani government agreed to allow the implementation of Sharia in the region once violence had stopped.^[4][8][10] Muhammad agreed to travel to Swat to discuss peace with Fazlullah and his followers. He told reporters, "We will soon open dialogue with the Taliban. We will ask them to lay down their weapons. We are hopeful that they will not let us down. We will stay here in the [Swat] valley until peace is restored."^[11]

In early April 2009 Sufi Muhammad ended support for peace negotiations stating that the government was stalling the implementation of sharia courts in the Swat valley. President Asif Ali Zardari refused to sign any agreement until peace had been restored in the valley but failed to elaborate on how those conditions would be achieved.^[12]

However, the president signed the Nizam-e-Adl-Regulation law for Swat, after it was hurriedly pushed through the national parliament a few hours earlier on 13 April 2009.^[13]

On April 19, 2009 Sufi Muhammad declared that "democracy was un-Islamic" and that decisions made in the qazi courts could not be appealed in Pakistan's central judicial system. According to the cleric Western-style democracy had led to divides among Pakistanis and the judicial system had contributed to the factionalism. He ordered the central government to withdraw all judges from Malakand within four days and to set up a Darul Qaza, an Islamic supreme court, to hear appeals from local Sharia courts.^[14][15]

2009 Arrests[link]

On 3 June 2009, while engaging in Operation Black Thunderstorm against the Taliban, the Pakistani Army arrested senior aides to Sufi Muhammad in the Amandara region in Lower Dir. Among those aides arrested were Muhammad's deputy, Mohammad Alam, and his spokesperson, Ameer Izzat Khan.^[16][17][18] Initial reports indicated that Sufi Muhammad himself and possibly two of his sons had also been detained although government sources would not confirm and would only say they knew of his "whereabouts."^[16][19] TNSM sources confirmed that Sufi Muhammad and his sons were missing but suggested that he had gone into hiding.^[17][19]

On 26 July 2009, the government announced the arrest of the cleric for encouraging violence and terrorism.^[20][21] On 2 August 2009, police announced that he had been charged with sedition, aiding terrorism and conspiracy.^[22][23]

In January 2011, Sufi Muhammad denied to an anti-terrorism court that he had any links to the anti-state Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and that he only sought enforcement of sharia in Malakand.^[24]

References[link]