Sonu Niigaam

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Sonu Nigam (born 30 July 1973 in Faridabad, Haryana, India) is a playback singer whose songs have been featured in numerous Bollywood movies. He changed the spelling of his surname from Nigam to Niigaam to reflect an auspicious number in astrology [1].

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[edit] Early life

Sonu was born in Faridabad. His family moved to Delhi when he was still young. He attended J.D. Tytler School. His father Agam Kumar and mother Shobha Nigam were singers also. Sonu has two younger sisters; One of them, Neekita Nigam, has begun a singing career. Sonu started singing at the age of four-and-a-half years singing a Mohammad Rafi number at a concert where his father was due to perform. He was discovered and promoted by Gulshan Kumar of T-Series,who gave him his first major recording opportunities. He moved from Delhi to Mumbai to seriously pursue his singing career, at the age of 17.

[edit] Career

Sonu started his career singing covers of Mohammad Rafi songs. He got his big break as a playback singer in Gulshan Kumar's film (Aaja Meri Jaan) and then "Accha Sila Diya Tune" (also sung in Gujarati) from Bewafa Sanam (1996). At this time, he also started hosting Sa Re Ga Ma, a television singing talent competition that became one of the most popular shows on Indian television. Thereafter,the offers poured in, albeit slowly at first. He shot to fame with the song "Sandese Aate Hai" from Border (1997). In the initial stages, he was type-cast as a Rafi-sound-alike. The image was transformed after his brilliant rendition of "Dil Deewana" in the film Pardes (1997). Since then, he has created a unique trademark style of his own.

Over the years, Sonu Nigam has become a major force in the music industry. He has released a number of pop albums including Mausam, Sapnay Ki Baat, Kismat, Deewana, Jaan, Yaad, Chanda Ki Doli and Colours of Love, as well as a Punjabi album 'Pyar'. Besides SaReGaMa, he has also hosted Kisme Kitna Hai Dum and been a judge on Indian Idol. Recently, he started hosting his own radio programme called Life Ki Dhun With Sonu Nigam on Radiocity 91 FM, where he has had the opportunity of interviewing industry greats, including the legendary Lata Mangeshkar. This radio show is available on the net. He is due to release a semi-classical album as well as an English album in the near future.

Sonu has sung playback for countless Hindi movies. As well, he is a popular playback singer for many regional movies, singing effortlessly in many languages from Punjabi to Bengali to Telugu, and many more.

Sonu recently toured North America (August/September 2006) with a spectacular musical production "Simply Sonu", accompanied by singer Sowmya Raoh. The tour included Raleigh, Atlanta, Los Angeles, New Jersey, Washington D.C, Houston, San Jose, Vancouver, Chicago & Toronto (See www.simplysonu.com and www.youtube.com).

[edit] Personal life

Sonu lives with his family in Mumbai. He married his girlfriend Madhurima in Kolkata on February 15, 2002. Besides singing, he pursues a wide variety of interests: he is an avid reader, enjoys watching movies, is dedicated to his fitness routine, practices yoga regularly, and loves to travel. He is a very spiritual and devout person; his optimistic attitude to life and his unshakeable faith have been the strongholds in his life so far.

[edit] Awards

[edit] Memorable Hits

  • Accha Sila Diya Movie: Bewafa Sanam (1994)
  • Yeh Dil Deewana Movie: Pardes (1997)
  • Sandese Aate Hain Movie: Border (1997)
  • Satrangi Re Manrangi Re Movie: Dil Se (1998)
  • Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaaye Movie: Sarfarosh (1999)
  • Mere Humsafar and Panchhi Nadiyan Pawan Ke Jhoken Movie: Refugee (2000)
  • Tanhayee Movie: Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
  • Suraj Hua Maddham Movie: Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)
  • Saathiya Movie: Saathiya (2002) (Filmfare Award)
  • Mera rang de Basanti and Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna Movie: The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002)
  • Kal Ho Naa Ho Movie: Kal Ho Na Ho (2003) (Filmfare Award)
  • Ghum Shuda Movie: Chalte Chalte (2003)
  • Main Hoon Na and Tumse Milke Dil Ka Jo Haal Movie: Main Hoon Na (2004)
  • Chak De Movie: Hum Tum (2004)
  • Do Pal, Kyon Hawa Movie: Veer Zaara (2004)
  • Tujh Sang Bandhi Dor Movie: Dev (2004)
  • Jeene Ke Hain Chaar Din, Aaja Soniye Movie: Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004)
  • Sun Zara and Chori Chori Movie: Lucky - No Time For Love (2005)
  • Piyu Bole and Soona Man Ka Aangan Movie: Parineeta (2005)
  • Just Chill Movie: Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (2005)
  • Falak Dekhoon and Ada Movie: Garam Masala (2005)
  • Dheere Jalna Movie: Paheli (2005)
  • No Entry (Ishq Ki Gali Mein) Movie: No Entry (2005)
  • Mere Haath Mein and Dekho Na Movie: Fanaa (2006)
  • Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and Tumhi Dekho Na Movie: Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)
  • Pyaar Ki Ek Kahani and Koi Tumsa Nahin Movie: Krrish (2006)
  • Pal Pal Har Pal and Bande Mein Tha Dum Movie: Lage Raho Munna Bhai(2006)
  • Humko Maloom Hai, Jaane Ke Jaane Na, Sau Dard and Ajnabi Shehar Movie: Jaan-E-Mann (2006)
  • Behka Diya Humein Movie: Umrao Jaan (2006)
  • Aaj Ki Raat Movie: Don (2006)
  • My Name is Ali Movie: Dhoom 2 (2006)
  • Salaam-E-Ishq, Tenu Leke: Salaam-E-Ishq (2007)

[edit] External links

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