Salabega Samadhi Pitha

Salabega (1607/1608 - unknown; Oriya: ସାଲବେଗ) was an Oriyan religious poet of India in the early 17th century.

Salabega occupies a permanent position among the devotional poets of Orissa who devoted his life for lord jagannath. He lived in the first half of the 17th century. Nilamani Mishra, who has written a comprehensive account of the poet and his works, determines the birth of Salabega between circa AD 1607-1608. Salabega was the son of the Mugual subedar, Lalbeg, His father on one of his military excursions came across a young widowed brahmin widow taking bath at Dandamukundapur. Fascinated by her youthful beauty, Lalbeg forcibly took her away and made her his wife. Salabega was their only son.

As soon as he was old enough, Salabega took up fighting in his father's campaigns. Once he was severely wounded in battle. Battling for life he accepted the advice of his mother, he chanted the holy name of Lord Krishna and was cured miraculously. Feeling greatly indebted to Lord Krishna he tried to know more about Hinduism. From his mother he came to know that Lord Jagannath is incarnation of Lord Krishna. Amazed and thrilled he went to Puri but was refused entrance into the temple of Jagannath due to his Muslim birth. Thereafter he went on foot to Vrindavana wherein he lived the life of an ascetic in the association of sadhus reciting bhajans in honour of Lord Sri Krishna. After one year in Vraja(Vrindavana), he returned to Puri desiring to see the Ratha yatra festival of Lord Jagannath, but on the way he suddenly fell ill. Feeling helpless and realising that he would not reach Puri in time to see the Ratha yatra festival, he offered prayers to Lord Jagannath petitioning Him to wait until he arrived. On the day of the return Cart festival, Nandighosa, the cart of Lord Jagannath, did not move until Salabega's arrival. The place where the cart remained stationary to give darshana to Salabega was later used by Salabega for composing his many bhajans in honour of Lord jagannath. His body was cremated there after his death. The Samadhi of this great devotee is still standing on the Grand road in Puri near Balagandi. In honour of him every year during the cart festival, the cart of lord Jagannath stays for a while near his Samadhi.

The poet identified Jagannath completely with Sri Krishna. His bhajans are still popular among the devotees of Lord Jagannath. Salabega composed numerous devotional songs but not all of them have survived. Most of his compositions are prayers and hymns to Lord jagannath and Krishna. A good number of these deal with the romantic dalliance of Krishna with the gopis and Radha, while a few are inspired by the vatsalya ras, the sweet, motherly feeling Yashoda had for child Krishna. His deep devotion has intensity and passion, outstanding even in the devotional literature of the Bhakti era. Although the poet was denied entry into the temple, his descriptions of the inner compound and the sanctum are among the most detailed and accurate in the devotional literature of Orissa. His song ‘Ahe Neelagiri...’ is perhaps the best description of Bedha Parikrama, or the prescribed circumambulation of the Srimandira. Many of the historical events of the period are recounted in his songs. The poet refers, with deep anguish, to the depredations of the marauders in their attacks on Puri and the repeated attempts to loot and desecrate the Srimandira. This frequently necessitated shifting the deities outside the main sanctum and the poet gives graphic details in the song ‘Kene gheni jaucchha jagannatha nku...

Aahe Nila Shaila; Prabal matta Varan
mo aarata nalinee bana ku kara dalana!

Gajaraja chinta kala thai ghora jalena,
Chakra peshi nakra nashi, uddhrile aapana!

Ghorabane mrugini ku padithila kashana,
Kede bada beepatti ru kariaccha tarana.

Kurusabha tale suni Draupadi ra janana,
Koti bastra dei hele lajja kala barana!

Ravana ra bhai Bivishana gala saran,
Saran sambhali tanku, Lanke kala raajana.

Prahlada pita se je bada dushta daruna,
Stambha ru bahari taku bidarila takhana.

Kahe Salabega hina jaati re me jabana,
Sriranga charan tale karuachhi janana.

References[link]

http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/profiles/blogs/patita-pavana-part-3
http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/hinduism-forum/190572-salabega-muslim-devotee-krishna.html

v t e Jagannath Worship Deities Jagannath Balarama Subhadra Sudarshana Chakra Temples Orissa Puri Gundicha Temple Baripada Koraput Nayagarh Bhubaneswar Kendrapara Chhatia Bata Dharakote Patali Srikhetra India Agartala Delhi Hyderabad Ranchi Abroad Comilla Dhamrai Pabna South Africa Sialkot Festivals and Ceremonies Chandan Yatra Dola Yatra Panchaka Nabakalevara Rath Yatra Snana Yatra Texts Bhagavata Purana Brahma Purana Gita Govinda Kapila Purana Madala Panji Skanda Purana Dahuka boli Devotees Chaitanya Jayadeva Salabega

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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

Bhikari bal (Bhajan Samrat)
Bhikari Bal with his disciple Arabinda Muduli
Background information
Born	(1929-05-25) May 25, 1929 (age 83)
Origin	Sobala, Kendrapada, Orissa, India
Died	2 November 2010 Cuttack
Genres	Bhajans
Occupations	Vocalist

Bhikari Bal (25 May 1929 – 2 November 2010), better known as Bhajan Samrat to the people of Orissa, was an Indian singer, best known for his performances in the Indian musical form, the bhajans.

He was a great devotee of Lord Jagannath. He was popular for his dedication to Oriya Bhajans which brought him laurels from far and wide.

Recipient of several prestigious awards, the singer had sung hundreds of Bhajans mostly for Lord Jagannath.

Early life[link]

Bhikari Bal was born in Kendrapara district in the state of Orissa, India. His parents Ramachandra Bal and Gellharani Devi died when he was very young. After the death of his first wife Ramachandra had married Gellharani, Bhikari's mother. Ramachandra's first wife had produced a son, Dhaneswara who was much older than Bhikari. Gellharani produced several children but none of them survived. So they named their surviving only son " Bhikari" - the begger. Out of superstition, the parents pretended to have sold the baby to an untouchable family from whom they bought their child back. The child survived but the parents died not long after. So, the care of the child Bhikari fell on his half-brother Dhaneswar and his wife.

After primary education Bhikari enrolled in Kadalibana High School in Kendrapada district and studied up to 9th grade. His village Sobala had a Jatra party and young Bhikari joined it. Through the Jatra party, he learned to sing and act and play harmonium. In those days boys used to dance as girls in Jatra parties . They were called GOTI PUA. Later Bhikari Bal became a music teacher in a local school called Gokulachandra Sangeeta Sadan. He married at the age 20. For a young man with any talent in any village, Cuttack town was a natural attraction. So he came to Cuttack to find greener pasture.

Career[link]

Bhikari Bal took up the teacher's job of a Orissi vocalaist at the Kalabikash Kendra, Cuttack. In early 1960s Bhikari Bal was a struggling artist. Because of his connection to the Kalabikash Kendra, he came to the attention of Kalicharan Pattanayak, the patron saint of anything Orissi and also a well established singer Balakrushna Dash. His voice was refined under the tutelage of Orissi maestro Balakrushna Das. This was the period of struggle for him with the late singer constantly trying for a break in All India Radio, Cuttack. He became an A-grade singer there in 1963 after he received rave reviews for his first broadcast song Prana mitani bareh chahan re. But his popularity grew manifold with Kotha bhoga khia and other such devotional songs in the early ’70s. His lucid and moving rendition of bhajans written by old generation poets such as Gopalkrushna, Dinakrushna, Baldev, Banamali and Salabega are still popular today. He had also rendered songs by Dr. Prasanna Samal, Arabinda Muduli, Raghunath Rout, Kshirod Chandra Pothal, Sirsananda Kanungo, Alekh Biswal, Gourhari Dalei and Srikant Gautam. His Jagannath bhajans and Gita Govinda recitals made him a household name. He had also sung Champu, Chhanda, Folk songs and Oriya film songs. He was awarded the title of Bhajan Samrat by the Puri Gajapati and was given special privileges inside the temple for his devotional tribute to Lord Jagannath. He was also taken to be one of the servitors of the temple for having offered the Chamara Seba to Lord Jagannath. He also gave his voice as play back singer in a number of Oriya films including Bhakta Salabega, Agni Pariksha, Mathura Bijaya, Abhilasha, Amar Prem, Kie Kahara and Srikrushna Rasa Leela, etc..

Final years and death[link]

The singer was bed-ridden for about a year due to age related ailments and had been admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. After the public outrage, the Government of Orissa offered financial assistance to the legend and urged the state health department to take care of his health. On November 3, 2010, he breathed his last at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Orissa at around 11:20 PM. Later, he was consigned to flames at the Swargadwara at Puri. His elder son Ashok performed the last rites. A guard of honour by according gun salute was presented at the crematorium while the Sri Jagannath Temple administration presented a sacred piece of cloth (Khandua) which covered his body.

References[link]

• http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101104/jsp/orissa/story_13135905.jsp
• http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/01/stories/2010070152290200.htm
• http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/articles/story74701.htm
• http://shrijagannath.info/?p=278
• http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/India/Oriya_Devotional_Singer_Bhikari_Bal_Dead-5225.html
• http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/govt-to-bat-for-padma-award-to-bhajan-samrat-bhikari-bal/168848.html
• http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_orissa-government-to-bat-for-padma-award-for-bhajan-samrat-bhikari-bal_1414314
• Bhikari Bal at the Internet Movie Database

This article may be written from a fan's point of view, rather than a neutral point of view. Please clean it up to conform to a higher standard of quality, and to make it neutral in tone. (August 2008)

Akshaya Kumar Mohanty (Oriya: ଅକ୍ଷୟ ମହାନ୍ତି, also known as "Khoka Bhai")(12 October 1937 – 17 November 2002) was a singer, songwriter, writer and musician from Orissa, India.

Akshaya has contributed to Oriya Bhajanas, Odissi, folk songs, non-film modern light songs in Orissa on contemporary themes, ballads based on popular legends in Orissa.

Life History[link]

Early life[link]

Akshaya was born to Bichitrananda Mohanty and Subarna Manjari Mohanty at Bankimundai, Kendrapara. Akshaya had no formal training in music. At the age of 22 in 1956, he joined government services in his home city Cuttack, but quit after seven years in 1963. He became an approved lyricist in All India Radio, Cuttack in 1956. By 1959 he became an approved composer in All India Radio. ^[1]

Family[link]

He was married to Prabina Mohanty in 1967. He has two sons and two daughters. His son, Chitrabhanu Mohanty is a stage singer.

Career[link]

Akshaya recorded his first song Gadiala Bhai Dharichhi Sura Re in 50s. His first song as a playback singer was Gori Gori Gori in the 1959 Oriya movie Maa. He has sung songs in 129 Oriya films.

In 1965, he has composed music for the movie Malajanha, directed by Oriya filmmaker, Nitai Palit. A song from the movie Rakata Talamala went on to top the charts. He composed music for 75 movies. He has made experiments with themes, words and in recording and producing special sound effects. Some of his experiments include starting a new cult of ballads in Oriya, based on popular legends, such as Kanchi Abhijana, Randipua Ananta, and Konaraka Gatha. He also recorded a popular drama, Patent Medicine, that went on to win the best radio drama award from All India Radio. Some of his popular songs are 'Kene Gheni Jauchha Jagannathanku', 'Saata Daria Paare', 'He Phaguna Tume', 'Raja Jhia Sange', 'Rakata Tala Mala', 'Chakori Jhara'anaa Luha'. Akshaya Mohanty also has acted in 3 movies and co-directed a movie.

Films[link]

• Mala Janha

• Kie Kahar

• Sansar

• Naga Phasa

• Taapoi

• Jhili Mili

• Nijhum Ratira Sathi

• Shree Jagannath

• Kie Jite Kie Hare

• Ashanta Graha

• Mahasati Sabitree

• Swapna Sagar

• Danda Balunga

• Jai Phula

• Jaga Hatare Pagha

• Sankha Sindura

• Mamata Mage Moola

• Nala Damayanti

• Baje Bainshi Nache Ghungura

• Chaka Bhaunree

• Sabu Mayare Baya

• Eai Aama Sanshara

• Karunamaya

• Badhu Nirupama

• Eai Ta Duniya

• Tunda Baida

• Jor Jar Mulak Taar

• Thilli Jhia Heli Bohu

• Suna Chadhei

• Kurukshetra

• Papa Punya

• Pua Mora Kala Thakura

• Mamata Ra Dori

• Chaka Akhi Sabu Dekhuchi

• Bidhira Bidhana

• Aasuchi Mo Kalia Suna

• Daiba Daudi

• Chaka Dola Karuchi Lila

• Thakura Achhanti Choubahaku

• Paradesi Chadhei

• Kalia Bharasa

• Ama Ghara Ama Sansar

• Hasa Luha Bhara Dunia

• To Binu Anya Gati Nahin

• Kotie Manisha Gotie Jaga

• Kapala Likhana

• Bhisma Pratigyan

• Suna Bhauja

• Rakhile Siba Mariba Kie

• Lakhsmana Rekha

• Jaya Jagannatha

Popular Songs[link]

Light/Romantic

• Gadiala bhai dharichhi sura re
• Smruti tume
• Bayasara krushnachuda
• Tahun kanji gala
• Udi udi udi ja re udi
• Ja ja re bhasi bhasi ja
• Raja jhia sange
• Ba ba re capital
• Punyara nadi tire
• Abujha priyatama
• Nadira nama alasakanya
• Sabi sabi tu to mora
• Alo ratani
• He faguna tume gala pare pare
• Nanda mundia driver
• Sakalara gadi
• Bandhu re anide anide mote
• Baby eka gelha jhia
• Gori gori gori
• Rakata talamala
• Tik Tik tik ghanta chale
• Ei Chumki (duet)
• Rangabati Re Rangabati
• Abujha priayatama
• Phulei rani saja phula
• Jajabara mana mora
• Chhapi chhapi basanto rati
• Rail gadi jauchhi gadi
• Sata daria pari re
• Chandrama eka chandana bindu
• Chandramailli hase
• Ae e e alo alo mani
• Rati je khoje
• Ei rum juhum jhum jhum nupura
• Kalankita ei nayaka
• Hasa ta lakhye tanka
• Sabi Sabi tu ta mora
• Udigale gendalia jhadi dela para
• Boula hebi nahin
• Tu ki buli baharilu sahara
• Mathia re gote kana
• Kali gori dihen gadhei
• Thik tori pari jhia tie
• Jataka padichhi

Bhajans (Devotional)

• Eka to bhakata jibana
• Kene gheni jauchha Jagannathanku
• Olata Brukhye khelucchi
• Adhagadha diankara
• Dasavatara (Gita Govinda)
• Srikrushnara banshi swana suni
• Jaya jaya Jagannatha

Popular Ballads

• Kanchi Abhijana
• Randipua Ananta
• Konarak Gatha

Awards[link]

• Jayadeva Award: The highest state award in movies
• State award for best playback singer seven times
• State award for best composer twice
• Many awards from Orissa Cinecritic Association

Writing[link]

• Aneswata Rani (Collection of short stories)
• Bichara (Collection of short stories)
• Nagna Monalisa (Collection of short stories)
• Ba Ba Re America (Travelogue)
• Aryadasara Atmalipi (Semi-autobiograhical)
• Aryadasara Sheshalipi (Semi-autobiographical)
• Bamapanthi (Novel)
• Aphera Nadi (Novel)
• Gayaka (Novel)
• Jaya Nuhen Jaya (Novel)
• Gotie Kuhu, Aneka Uhu (Novel)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Akshaya Mohanty at the Internet Movie Database
• Official website
• Songs of Akshaya Mohanty

Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi (born 10 August 1934) is a famous Indian classical singer and music director. A noted vocalist of Gita Govinda, he left a promising career in film music in Chennai, to provide vocal support in his wife, Sanjukta Panigrahi, legendary Orissi performances and also a composer.^[1] He has lifetime contribution towards promoting, propagating and popularizing the life and works of Shri Jayadeva, messages of Geeta govinda and the cult of Lord Jagannatha. Raghunath Panigrahi was born on August 10, 1934 in Gunupur, Koraput, Orissa.

Sanjukta-Raghunath played for many years from the 1970s until the 1990s.

After the death of Sanjukta in 1997, he got associated the Nrityagram and gave music for many of their productions.^[2] He formed the 'Sanjukta Panigrahi Memorial Trust', in 1999, to promote the cause of Orissi dance. Since 2001, every year on her birth anniversary, the trust has been giving away scholarships to budding dancers, and awards excellence in the field of Orissi dance.^[3][4]

Personal life[link]

He met his future wife dancer Sanjukta Panigrahi at Kalakshetra dance school, subsequently they married in 1960 ^[5] and had two sons.^[6]

Filmography[link]

1. Ilavelpu (1956) (playback singer)
2. Jayabheri (1959) (actor)
3. Shri Shri Patitapaban (1963) (playback singer)
4. Abhinetri (1965) (choreographer)
5. Sindura Bindu (1976) (playback singer)
6. Mukti (1977) (playback singer)
7. Ahalya (1998) (composer)

Awards[link]

• Sangeet Natak Akademi Award,
• Padma Shri, 2010^[7]
• Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
• Jayadeva Samman- 2008^[8]

Writings on Panigrahi[link]

Vanikavi Dr. Manomohan Acharya has written a Sanskrit Verse on Padmashri Pdt. Raghunath Panigrahi: "Yuktaa yasya kalaa-mayee kamalinee, kanthe cha padmaasanaa/ geete gunjati padma-lola-madhupah, chitte-ravindaasanah// yasya shree-mukutam sahasra-kamalam yo keertti-padmeksanah/// padmashri raghunaatha eva jayataat so-yam jagadbhuushanah////" -

References[link]

External links[link]

• Raghunath Panigrahi at the Internet Movie Database
• Mano-thoughts.blogspot.com