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 :: 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”

Films Culture !

Sonu’s tremendous popularity as a playback singer, his good looks, charming personality and successful musical videos in which he featured himself fetched him several acting offers.

He had worked as a child actor in several films like Pyaara Dushman, Kaamchor, Ustaadi Ustad Ke, Hum se hai Zamaana, Taqdeer and Betaab between 1980 and 1983.

He made his debut on the big screen with the multistarrer flick ‘Jaani Dushman’. He further played the lead protagonist in Kash Aap Hamare Hote and Love in Nepal.