Coordinates: 17°0′0″S 72°6′23″W / 17°S 72.10639°W / -17; -72.10639 Matarani is a port city in Arequipa Region, Peru. It is a major port on the southern coast of Peru. The port is operated by Tisur.

Pacific Ocean terminal of the Interoceanic Highway[link]

Matarani is one of the 3 ports which comprise the Peruvian termini of the Interoceanic Highway. As such it is an important element in the current plan between the governments of Peru and Brazil to integrate an Atlantic-Pacific corridor between the two nations. This corridor would give Brazil access to the Pacific while not having to pay the costs, restrictions, and distance of the Panama Canal. It also will give Peru access to the Atlantic via a series of ports on the Atlantic coast allowing faster and easier access to the atlantic markets. It will also allow Peru to use its access to the Atlantic via the Amazon river through Peru's ports of Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas.

External links[link]

• Official Website

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Anuradha Paudwal
Background information
Born	(1954-10-27) October 27, 1954 (age 57)
Genres	playback singing, bhajans
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocalist
Years active	1973–present

Anuradha Paudwal is a popular playback singer in Bollywood in India.^[1] She has sung songs in Hindi, Marathi, Oriya, and Nepali.

Biography[link]

She studied at Xavier's College in Mumbai. She was married to the late Arun Paudwal, who worked with music director S. D. Burman as his assistant. Her singing career started in 1973 with the movie, Abhimaan, (starring Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan) in which she sang a Shloka (a Sanskrit verse). In the same year she also made her Marathi film debut with "Yashoda" (music by Datta Davjekar). In 1974, she brought out a record of Non-film Marathi songs or "bhav geeten" which became very popular.

In 1976, she got her break as a playback singer in Hindi films with Kalicharan (starring Shatrughan Sinha and Reena Roy). Her first solo was in the movie, Aap Beati, (starring Hema Malini and Shashi Kapoor). Laxmikant-Pyarelal were the music-composer duo for that movie. She also occasionally sang songs for composers Rajesh Roshan (Des Pardes), Jaidev (Dooriyan, Laila Majnu), Kalyanji Anandji (Kalaakar, Vidhaata), and Usha Khanna (Souten, Sajan Bina Suhagan).

Anuradha apparently never received any formal training in classical music, stating in an interview, "I have not received any formal training in classical music. I have tried many times, but it has never worked out. I learnt a little here and a little there, but ultimately, I just practiced for many hours listening to Lataji".^[2]

Anuradha gained recognition with her popular numbers for the movie, Hero, for composers Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Her collaboration with Laxmikant-Pyarelal produced more success with songs for Meri Jung ("O Mere Kwabon Ke"), Batwara ("Thaare Vaaste Re Dola-Tu Maaro Kaun Lage"), Nagina and many more.Ram Lakhan saw Laxmikant-Pyarelal giving three major hit songs to Anuradha. Their association ended with Tezaab where she sang two good numbers for them - "Kehdo Ki Tum" and "Hum Tumko Dilbar Kyon Maane".

Following this she collaborated with movie producer, Gulshan Kumar, and began a success streak with the movies, Lal Dupatta Malmal Ka, Tezaab, Aashiqui and Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin. She along with Gulshan Kumar were instrumental in getting many unknown playback singers to the fore, including Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan, Abhijeet, Sonu Nigam. New Music directors, including her husband Arun Paudwal, were introduced to the music world. Nadeem-Shravan, Anu Malik, Anand-Milind, Nikhil Vinay and Amar Utpal all collaborated with T-Series (Gulshan Kumar's music label) and started a new era of melody in Bollywood. She has sung over 2000 songs til now from the start of her career. Most of her duets have been with Udit Narayan, Kumar Sanu, Mohammed Aziz. She sang some songs with Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi and also with her female co-singers; Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Alka Yagnik, Kavita Krishnamurthy and Sadhana Sargam. Her other notable songs were also for the famous duo Shiv-Hari, for the movie "Sahebaan". She has also sung for R.D. Burman in her initial days and actually convinced him to make songs for Gulshan Kumar's label in his last days and the song "Aja Meri Jaan" set to one of the background score of R.D.Burman from Saagar is still popular. She also sang beautiful duets with her co-singers from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, notably S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. J. Yesudas.

Controversies[link]

Anuradha has had her share of controversies as well. She was one of the rare singers to bloom during the reign of the Mangeshkar sisters in the Bollywood music industry. She was also under much controversy when she dubbed the songs of Alka Yagnik in the film "Dil". This also caused rifts between Anand-Milind and Alka Yagnik, thereby causing them to not collaborate for 2 years. Later in 1998, Anuradha Paudwal dubbed the songs of Alka Yagnik once again for the film Itihaas, this time under the music direction of Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen. However, Alka Yagnik, protested, to which the music company, T-Series was forced to include both versions of the same song, one in the voice of Alka Yagnik and the other in the voice of Anuradha Paudwal. She further went to dub Lata Mangeshkar's song in "Radha Ka Sangam" citing that her voice suited the heroine better. Anu Malik, a smaller name then, who had composed the soundtrack of Radha Ka Sangam, protested against this move.

At her peak, Anuradha announced that henceforth she would sing exclusively for "T-Series", and concentrated on devotional songs and "cover-version" albums. T-Series used her attractive and pleasing looks to good effect in numerous Bhajan and promotional videos. She was the first playback singer whose face featured on music covers more than the film's actors. She sang for T-series for some time and then went into a sabbatical. After about five years, she restarted her playback career. She sang a few hit songs for her old music directors but the reception for her comeback was mild.

Although Anuradha has significantly cutback in singing for films, she has continued on with her popularity for singing devotional songs and creating devotional albums, which ultimately remains her forte. She has collaborated with Pandit Jasraj on his "Geet Govind , many devotional albums with Anup Jalota. Her voice is well suited on devotional numbers.

Marathi[link]

Anuradha sang in a number of Marathi movies including the memorable Disate Majalaa, Raja Lalakaari, and Kaalyaa Maatita Maatitaa. Most of these movies had music by the duo of Anil-Arun, Arun being her husband, who collaborated with Anil Mohile to form a pair.

Bollywood Songs[link]

Awards and recognition[link]

• 1986: Filmfare Award for "Mere Mann Bajaa Mridang" from Utsav.
• 1990: National Film Award for "He Ek Reshami" from Kalat Nakalat
• 1991: Filmfare Award for "Nazar Ke Saamne" from Aashiqui.
• 1992: Filmfare Award for "Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahi" from Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin.
• 1993: Filmfare Award form "Dhak Dhak Karne Laga" from Beta.
• 2011: Mother Teresa Award for Lifetime Achievement ^[3]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Anuradha Paudwal at the Internet Movie Database
• List of Hindi movies with songs by Anuradha Paudwal
• Bio at HindiLyrix.com

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (May 2011)

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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

Gulshan Kumar (गुलशन कुमार) (5 May 1956 - 12 August 1997)^[1] was the founder of the T-Series music label (Super Cassettes Industries Ltd.),^[2] and an Indian Bollywood movie producer. T series is now run by his son Bhushan Kumar.^[3] His daughter Tulsi Kumar is a playback singer.^[4]

Biography[link]

Born Gulshan Dua into a Punjabi Hindu Arora family, he was the son of Chandrabhan, a fruit juice seller in Darya Ganj market in Delhi, where he started working early on. Later Gulshan changed career paths when his family acquired a shop selling records and cheap audio cassettes, this was the beginning of what was to become a vast music empire.^[5]

He founded Super Cassettes Industries,^[6] a small audio cassette operation which soon grew to be very big. Later he started a music production company in Noida, near Delhi. He is said to have started the practice of exploiting a loophole in the Indian copyright law, and creating cover versions of popular songs.

To counter relatively expensive audio tapes which used to be marketed by reputed music companies, Gulshan brought out in the late 1970s very cheaply made and low priced music cassettes. He exported quality music cassettes when his business grew.

Gulshan also introduced religious music cassettes at highly subsidized prices.

The Indian music industry used to be controlled by a few high-profiled singers. Gulshan introduced young talented singers to the music world, Sonu Nigam, Anuradha Paudwal, Vandana Bajpai and Kumar Sanu being a prominent ones among them. He also introduced some new actors and music directors.

Gulshan established a bhandara, serving free home style food to pilgrims who hiked to the Hindu shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi.

Assassination[link]

On 12 August 1997, he was killed outside the Jeeteshwar Mahadev Mandir, a Hindu temple in Jeet Nagar, Andheri West suburb of Mumbai.^[7] The police accused a film composer Nadeem of the music duo Nadeem-Shravan of having paid for the assassination. However, on 9 January 2001, Abdul Rauf (known as "Raja") confessed to being the assassin. On 29 April 2002, Sessions Judge M L Tahilyani sentenced Rauf to life imprisonment, stating that he was not imposing death penalty because the prosecution had failed to prove that Rauf was a contract killer. As per his family's wishes, Gulshan Kumar was cremated in Delhi.^[8]

Chronology of events[link]

• 21 September 1999 : hearing an extradition case filed by the government of India against Nadeem, bow street magistrate in London rules that there is prima facie case against Nadeem and recommends his extradition
• 21 December 2000 : The London high court rejects the government of India's plea to extradite Nadeem. he is discharged from the case. the court also passes strictures against the police, saying the evidence is tainted. Shafi Ahmed is the first accused to be discharged in the case. Prosecution concedes there is no evidence against him.
• 30 April 2001 : charges are framed against 17 accused. one of the accused Pratap Singh Shaukin is discharged due to lack of evidence. Shaukin was accused of helping the killers escape. He allegedly took them from Mumbra in nearby Thane to Nasik in his tempo.
• 18 June 2001 : Trial begins. Ramchandra Lavangare, an eyewitness, identifies the alleged assassins — Abdul Rashid Daud and Abdul Rauf Daud MERCHANT — in the court.
• 20 June 2001 : Another eye witness Sahibrao Fuke identifies the alleged killers in the court of Justice M.L. Tahilyani.
• 27 June 2001 : Keki Balsara, key to the prosecution's case against Nadeem, is found dead in the washroom of the city police headquarters.
• 8 January 2002 : Approver Mohammed Ali Shaikh refuses to identify the alleged killers in court. he says he did not know Nadeem. He is declared hostile, and pardon granted to him is withdrawn.
• 10 January 2002 : ten of the accused are granted bail after prosecution says it would not produce any new evidence against them.
• 16 April 2002 : prosecution accepts there is no evidence against 15 of the 19 people accused in the case.
• 23 April 2002 : the sessions court rejects the conspiracy charge leveled by the prosecution against the accused.
• 24 April 2002 : 18 of the 19 accused are acquitted. one is found guilty.

T-Series Music label[link]

During the life of Gulshan Kumar, T-Series emerged as one of the top music labels in India. It continues to be a major label.^[9]

It is the largest producer and publisher of music and videos in India. It has published original soundtracks of movies, remixes, old devotional bhajans, new-age melodies from the 1960s, pop hits of 1990s, etc.

Today T-Series controls more than 60% share of the Indian music market. In international markets T-Series enjoys a turnover in excess of $4.2 million, and exports to 24 countries across six continents. In India it has the largest distribution network of over 2500 dealers.

Movie Production[link]

• Papa - The Great (2000)
• Char Dham (1998)
• Jai Maa Vaishanav Devi (1995)
• Bewafa Sanam (1995)
• Shabnam (1993)
• Kasam Teri Kasam (1993)
• Aaja Meri Jaan (1993)
• Jeena Marna Tere Sang (1992)
• Meera Ka Mohan (1992)
• Shiv Mahima (1992)
• Sangeet (1992)
• Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (1991)
• Aye Milan Ki Raat (1991)
• Jeena Teri Gali Mein (1991)
• Aashiqui (1990)
• Bahar Aane Tak (1990)
• Velu Nayakan (1990)
• Appu Raja (1990)
• Laal Dupatta malmal ka (1989)

As Artiste[link]

• Chal Kanvaria Shiv Ke Dham (1996)
• Shiv Mahima (1992)

As Director[link]

• Bewafa Sanam (1995)

As Presenter[link]

• A Love Issshtory (2010)
• Kajraare (2010)
• Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006)
• Lucky (2005)
• Muskaan (2003)
• Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai (2003)
• Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (1991)
• Aashiqui (1990)

As Producer[link]

• Papa The Great (2000)
• Char Dham (1998)
• Suryaputra Shanidev (1997)
• Chal Kanvaria Shiv Ke Dham (1996)
• Bewafa Sanam (1995)
• Jai Maa Vaishnav Devi (1995)
• Satyanarayan Ki Virat Katha (A.T.N.) (1995)
• Shabnam (1995)
• Suryaputra Shanidev (1995)
• Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (1991)
• Aashiqui (1990)
• Bahar Aane Tak (1990)

See also[link]

• Bollywood

References[link]

External links[link]

• Gulshan Kumar at the Internet Movie Database
• The Gulshan Kumar Murder Homepage at Rediff.com.

Kumar Sanu (alias Kedarnath Bhattacharya, born in Kolkata) is a leading Indian Bollywood playback singer.^[1] He was awarded the Filmfare Best Male Playback Award over five consecutive years. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 2009.^[2]

Early life[link]

Kumar Sanu's father Pashupati Bhattacharya was a vocalist and composer. He trained Sanu as a singer and tabla player. After getting a degree in commerce from Calcutta University, Sanu began performing publicly in 1979, singing at shows and restaurants around Calcutta. He modeled his singing style after Bollywood singer Kishore Kumar.^[3] Later he developed his own singing style.^[3]

Career[link]

In 1987, music director and singer Jagjit Singh offered Sanu the chance to sing in the Hindi film Aandhiyan. Sanu then relocated to Mumbai, where Kalyanji-Anandji gave him chance to sing in the film Jaadugar. Kalyanji-Anandji suggested that he change his name from Kedar Nath Bhattacharya to Kumar Sanu.^[3]

Sanu started off singing Jagjit Singh's film songs, and went on to work with composers including Naushad, Ravindra Jain, Hridayanath Mangeshkar, Pt.R K Razdan, Kalyanji Anandji, and Usha Khanna.

For the 1990 film Aashiqui, music directors Nadeem-Shravan got Sanu to sing all but one of the songs which included "Ek Sanam Chahiye", "Tu meri zindagi hain", "Nazar Ke Saamne", "Jaane Jigar Jaaneman", "Ab Tere Bin Jee Lenge Hum" and "Dheere Dheere Se". He won the first of his record five consecutive Filmfare awards as Best Male Playback Singer. His next Filmfare Awards came for songs in the movies Saajan (1991), Deewana (1992), Baazigar (1993), and 1942: A Love Story (1994).

Sanu often collaborated with Nadeem-Shravan. Some of their collaborations include songs in movies like Aashiqi (1990), Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin (1991), Sadak (1991), Saajan (1991), Deewana (1992), Dil Ka Kya Kasoor (1992), Kal Ki Awaz (1992), Shreeman Aashique (1993), Salami (1993), Damini: Lightning (1993), Dilwale (1994), Agni Sakshi (1996), Raja Hindustani (1996), Jeet (1996), Pardes (1997), among others.

In a career spanning two decades he has sung with composers including R.D. Burman, Anand-Milind, Anu Malik, Jatin-Lalit, Nadeem-Shravan, Himesh Reshammiya, Ismail Darbar, Kalyanji Anandji, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Rajesh Roshan, Sajid-Wajid, Viju Shah, Uttam Singh for Dushman, Raam Laxman, Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen, Anand Raj Anand, Aadesh Shrivastava, Vishal-Shekhar, M. M. Keeravani & Vishal Bharadwaj.

He has also created music for Indian films and also produced the Bollywood film, Utthaan. Currently Kumar Sanu team up with Rakesh Bhhatia and together they produced Hindi feature film based on the four street children of Mumbai. All four children are doing shoe- polish on railway platform in order to earn their daily bread and butter. Mithun Chakraborty is acting in his movie as a lead role. Recently Kumar Sanu has sang for epic Bengali film Hason Raja, which directed by UK-based filmmaker Ruhul Amin.

Sanu was in the panel of judges on Sony TV for Waar Parriwar, a reality show based on the bringing together of a singing gharana (family of singers) and on Zee Bangla TV in a music reality show called Sa Re Ga Ma Pa - Vishwa Sera.

Awards[link]

• 2009: Padma Shri: India's 4th highest civilian honour given by Government of India.

Filmfare Awards[link]

Won[link]

Nominated[link]

Star Screen Award[link]

Notable Bollywood Filmography[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Kumar Sanu at the Internet Movie Database