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Sonu Nigam with Television

A major breakthrough in Sonu’s career was being offered to host the singing talent hunt Sa Re Ga Ma on Zee TV. The first episode of Sa Re Ga Ma was aired on May 1st 1995. The show exposed him to many stalwarts in the music industry and gave him a huge learning ground. In addition to that, it made him a familiar face in households and the dignity and poise with which he hosted the show was highly appreciated. His next stint as on Television was for Star Plus’s Celebrity Musical Game Show Kisme Kitna Hai Dum in 2002. The show saw him at his humorous best and became a platform for him to showcase his inborn talent of being a great mimic. He then served as a jury member for seasons 1 and 2 of Sony’s reality hunt Indian Idol from 2004-2006 and his impartial judgements and inspirational guidance won hearts. In October 2007, Sonu came back to the sets of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in a historical moment of sorts, this time as a judge (along with Suresh Wadkar) on the show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs International.

Sonu Nigam as Performer

Stage and Sonu are words which go hand in hand. He has been singing since he was 3 and his energy and zest has only increased with every performance. Sonu has performed not only all over India but almost in every Continent. He has toured America, UK, Europe, South Africa, France, Germany, Pakistan, Dubai, Afghanistan, Africa, Singapore, Bangkok, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Nepal, Kenya, Mauritius, Australia and Egypt. He always performs ‘Live’ with his band which makes him a class apart. The grandeur of his shows is always compared to star shows as no singer has ever been given such publicity and production value. His shows stretch over 3 and half hours with 2 entries where he alone performs in each segment for over an hour. His excellent rapport with the audience and his energetic acts bowled over the audiences all over the world and the magic continues. Some of his recent memorable and successful tours include the Idea Rocks India Tour in 2006, Simply Sonu Tours in 2006 and 2007 and The Incredibles tour of North America with Asha Bhonsle, Kunal Ganjawala and Kailash Kher in 2007. In 2006, he was also invited to Melbourne to perform at the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games along with several other eminent personalities. A huge landmark in Sonu’s career was being invited to perform at the prestigious Harvard University in November 2007 on the momentous occasion of the Installation of Dr.Drew Gilpin Faust as Harvard University’s 28th president. Perhaps one could say history had been made. Not just Harvard history, which it certainly was, as the first ever South Asian, or any ethnic performance for that matter, at such a Harvard ceremony. But in a wider context, it was a symbolic moment of the next phase for our music on the world stage – one that will be looked upon often for inspiration. Sonu wholeheartedly accepted the honour of the stage realizing the immense potential the combination of his celebrity and this exalted platform held, in launching Indian music into the next orbit. He took Harvard students as his accompanists – a gesture of foresight that was greatly praised by faculty and administrators, and presented Gandhiji’s favourite Bhajan “Vaishnava Jana To” in his own style, transalating it into English as well.

Sonu Nigam with Radio !

Sonu added another profile to his career in 2006 when he became a Star Radio Jockey for Radio City 91.1 FM. He had over 5 million listeners glued to their radios for one hour every week on his show Life Ki Dhun with Sonu Niigaam. The show became a platform for him to share his thoughts, interact with his fans and interview colleagues from the music industry. He even convinced Lata Mangeshkar for a 3 and a half hour long live interview which by itself was an event in the history of the Indian music industry.

About Sonu

Sonu Niigaam was born on 30th July 1973 to Mr.Agam Kumar Nigam and Mrs. Shobha Nigam in the city of Faridabad, Haryana. Sonu performed on stage for the very first time at the age of three and a half when he joined his father on stage to sing Late Mohammed Rafi’s popular song “Kya Hua Tera Vaada” from the film Hum Kisise Kam Nahin. Then on, he accompanied his father for his various singing assignments. He spent his childhood in Delhi and did his schooling at J.D.Tyler School,Delhi and his graduation from Delhi University. He always gave due importance to academics and was a topper at school. He worked as a child artist for several movies like Pyaara Dushman, Kaamchor, Ustaadi Ustad Ke, Hum se hai Zamaana, Taqdeer and Betaab between 1980 and 1983. In his teenage years, he participated in several music competitions and won them all. During one of these competitions he was judged by the renowned music director of Bollywood, Anu Malik who pronounced him the winner and also gave a word of encouragement to work towards being a playback singer in Bollywood. He moved to Mumbai with his father on 23rd September 1991 to begin his singing career. His initial years in Mumbai proved to be a struggle, and he started by singing covers of Mohammad Rafi songs, mainly for the “Rafi Ki Yaadein” album series. These albums contributed to his label for some time as a “Rafi clone.” His first movie song as a playback singer was in the movie, “Janum” (1990), which was never officially released. He got a break as a playback singer in Gulshan Kumar’s movie, “Aaja Meri Jaan”(1993). He then sang the song, “Accha Sila Diya”, for the album, “Bewafa Sanam” (1995), which went on to become a hit and gave him the recognition as an established playback singer.

Sonu Nigam :: As Composer !

Sonu mastered to play the harmonium at a very young age without any guidance. This led him to play the keyboard aiding him to make several soulful compositions for his private albums and title tracks of television serials. Sonu’s first venture as an independent composer was with the album ‘Spirit Unfolding’ for which he composed, sang and also wrote the lyrics. The world renowned percussionist Brent Lewis and Grammy winner singer Riya Coolage collaborated with Sonu on this album which was recorded in Joshua Tree. As an artist who has always thrived to attain greater heights in his musical expanses, Sonu further broadened his horizons by turning a composer/programmer/arranger with his album ‘Chanda Ki Doli’. The Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar commented ‘Sonu is so well versed with his classical music that when he will compose, it will surely be a unique piece of music as he will add his own style and charisma to it.’ The album earned him a lot of respect, appreciation and accolades from the music industry.

Awards

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2007	Annual Central European Bollywood Awards, Best Male Playback Singer for Mein Agar Kahoon, Om Shanti Om
2006	Bollywood Music and Fashion Awards, Best Male Playback Singer for Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, Title Track.
2005	Swaralaya Yesudas Award, for his outstanding performance in Music.
2005	MTV Immies – Best Pop Album, for his self-composed album titled “Chanda Ki Doli”.
2005	Star Screen Award Best Male Playback, for the song “Dheere Jalna”, from the film “Paheli“.
2005	Indian Television Award Best Singer for Miliee Title Track.
2005	Anadolok Award for “Chanda Ki Doli” album.
2005	Lion Gold’s Award for the song Main Hoon Na from the film “Main Hoon Na“.
2005	Teachers’ Achievement Award
2005	Style Icon, MTV Style Awards.
2004	MTV Immies – Best Male Singer, for the song “Main Hoon Na”, from the film “Main Hoon Na“
2004	National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer, for the song “Kal Ho Naa Ho”, from the film Kal Ho Naa Ho
2003	IIFA Best Male Playback Award, for the song “Kal Ho Naa Ho”, from the film Kal Ho Naa Ho
2003	Bollywood Music Award for Best Male Playback Singer for “Kal Ho Na Ho” from the film Kal Ho Naa Ho
2003	Apsara Film Producers’ Guild Award for Best Male Playback Singer for “Kal Ho Na Ho” from the film Kal Ho Naa Ho
2003	Filmfare Best Male Playback Award, for the song “Kal Ho Naa Ho”, from the film Kal Ho Naa Ho“.
2003	Style Icon, MTV Style Awards
2002	Zee Cine Award Best Playback Singer- Male, for the song “Saathiya”, from the film “Saathiya“
2002	IIFA Best Male Playback Award, for the song “Saathiya”, from the film “Saathiya“
2002	MTV Immies – Best Male Singer, for the song “Saathiya” from the film “Saathiya“.
2002	Bollywood Music Award fpr Best Male Playback Singer for the song “Saathiya” from the film “Saathiya“
2002	Filmfare Best Male Playback Award, for the song “Saathiya”, from the film Saathiya.
2001	Zee Cine Award Best Playback Singer- Male, for the song “Suraj Hua Maddham”, from the film “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham“
2001	IIFA Best Male Playback Award, for the song “Suraj Hua Maddham”, from the film “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham“
2001	Bollywood Music Award for Best Pop Singer for the album “Yaad”
2001	Star Screen Award Best Male Playback, for the song “Tanhayee”, from the film “Dil Chahta Hai“
1998	Star Screen Award for Best Male Pop Artist.
1997	Zee Cine Award Best Playback Singer- Male, for the song “Sandese Aate Hai”, from the film “Border”
1997	Aashirwad Award for Best Male Singer for the song “Sandese Aate Hai”, from the film “Border”
1997	Sansui Viewers’ Choice Award for Best Male Singer for the song “Sandese Aate Hai”, from the film “Border”

Sonu Nigam :: Indipop

Sonu released his first Indipop album, Sapney Ki Baat in 1997 in collaboration with T-Series which generated an ocean of fame and a remarkable response from the listeners. Following that, In 1998, Magnasound came up with a lucrative offer for Sonu to launch the albums, ‘Kismat’ and ‘Mausam’, both of which contributed to his title as the Golden Voice of Indipop and gave him a boy next door image. The singles ‘Tu’ and ‘Bijuriya’ are still considered to be two of his biggest dance hits. History was made when Sonu launched his album ‘Deewana’ in 1999 with T-Series. It led Sonu to the heights of his singing career and it was estimated that more than ten million copies were sold officially making it the highest selling album over the next few years. His next two albums ‘Jaan’ and ‘Yaad’ in 2000 and 2001 respectively were also with T-Series and both were chart toppers. His devotional album ‘Sanskar’ and his Punjabi Album ‘Kudi Mili Hai Kamaal’ were also highly appreciated by his listeners.In 2005, Sonu launched his next album, ‘Chanda Ki Doli’ with T-Series after a span of four years. This album is very significant in his career because all the tunes in Chanda Ki Doli were composed, programmed, arranged and sung by Sonu himself and each composition in the album was rated a gem by connoisseurs of music. He created history by releasing his single ‘Yeh Rashtra Prem Ki Bhavna’ on Indian Independence Day 2006 on a radio station without a record label. It was a song which he wrote himself to express his love for the country and to arouse the new generation. Rekindling his usual style of constantly challenging himself with something different, Sonu launched his latest album ‘Classically Mild’ with Sa Re Ga Ma HMV on February 11th 2008. This album surpasses all targets and exceeds all expectations and is Sonu’s attempt to convey the importance of being rooted to Indian Classical Music to the youth of today who consider him their Idol. The album is semi-classical with a touch of mainstream commercial music and is skilfully packaged to appeal to connoisseurs and laymen alike. Always a trendsetter, Sonu joined hands with Big 92.7 FM to launch his exclusive pulsating single titled “Punjabi Please” on 3rd March 2008. The song has been composed,written and sung by Sonu himself and is Sonu’s tribute to all his Punjabi fans. BIG FM holds exclusive rights for song play outs including digital rights and physical unit sales. The Company will also be involved in the making of Punjabi Please music video along with promoting the single in the form of mobile ring-tones and digital downloads  Sonu will soon be releasing an album in collaboration with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra as a tribute to Late Mohammed Rafi, his idol and musical father. The album is titled ‘Rafi Resurrected’ and will contain 18 evergreen tracks of the maestro. Also, due to his ever-growing popularity as a singer in the Kannada music industry, he is soon coming up with a Kannada album for all his fans from the south.

Sonu Nigam :: As Play Back Singer

Sonu started at a very early age not only on stage but also in front of the mike. He spent his teenage days singing jingles, cover versions and devotional songs.

Once he shifted base to Mumbai to start his struggle in the music industry, it did not take him too long to get his first song from the film ‘Aaja Meri Jaan’ at the age of 20.

The late bigwig Gulshan Kumar (owner of T-Series, Music Company) heard Sonu and invited him to work with them. The song, which led him to fame was ‘Accha Sila Diya Tune’ from the film ‘Bewafa Sanam.

Sonu tasted real success in playback singing when he was invited to sing the song, ‘Yeh Dil Deewana’ for Subhash Ghai’s film ‘Pardes’. This song made Sonu the real superstar, a heartthrob of Bollywood.

He changed his style of singing and adapted the modern nuances of the western style of singing merging it with our own Indian classical influences. Since then there has been no looking back for Sonu.

Today he is among the highest-paid singers of Bollywood and is in heavy demand because his voice suits every hero.

Shah Rukh Khan once commented “I grant a lot of my success to Sonu.’ Sonu has become the safest choice for any music director to do justice to their composition and as rightly said by one of them “Sonu’s singing is immaculate because he immerses himself completely in it.

He comes to the recording studio, writes the song, learns it, sings it and leaves in nothing more than 30 minutes.I think no one can ever match his caliber”.

He has sung countless songs not only in Hindi but in almost all the regional languages of India.

His songs from films like ‘Pardes’, ‘Dil Se’, ‘Border’, ‘Refugee’, ‘Sarfarosh’, ‘Taal’, ‘One Two Ka Four’,’Pukar’, ‘Bunty aur Babli’,’Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai’, ‘Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya’,’Lucky’, ‘Paheli’, ‘Parineeta’,’Dil Chahta Hai’, ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’, ‘Saathiya’, ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’, ‘Main Hoon Na’, ‘Kabhie Alvida Na Kehna’, ‘The Legend Of Bhagat Singh’,’Fanaa’ and ’Om Shanti Om’ are among a few milestones in his singing career and have helped him establish himself as one of the most versatile, soulful and multi-talented singers in India.

He also appealed to connoisseurs of music with renditions from films like ‘Dev’,’Baabul’, ’Saawan’, ’Meenaxi’,’Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’ and ‘Dharm’.

He recently became a sensation in the Kannada music industry when his songs from the film ‘Mungaru Male’ became chartbusters in the south and earned him a lot of recognition.