Happy Birthday Sonu Nigam!

Evey decade has a couple of singers who dominate the field. This is particularly true in Bollywood. While Udit Narayan and Kumar Sanu, dominated the 90s, a host of singers came to prominence in the 2000s. One amongst them, was the extremely talented Sonu Nigam.

One of his earliest works was his album Deewana. As he sang "Main Hoon Deewana Tera", I'm pretty sure the sentiment echoed with the listeners as well. The first ever Bollywood song I listened to got me hooked to cine music. It was the title track of Kal Ho Na Ho, an absolute classic. I'm pretty sure I can write an entirely different piece on that song alone because it is one of the most beautiful pieces ever. Another Sonu Nigam classic is Ab Mujhe Mein Kahin from Agneepath. The point of commonality between these two song is that fact they have been sung in such a soulful manner that I cannot listen to them without being a little lost in the mellifluous voice of the singer.

A literal authority on all kinds of romantic songs, he has delivered so many melodies including Satrangi Re, Suraj Hua Madham, Jaane Dil Mein, Tumhi Dekho Na, Mere Haath Main, Main Agar Kahoon, Inn Lamhon Ke Daman Mein and Maana Ke Hum Yaar Nahin. You would be lying if you said that the title track of Main Hoon Na didn't feel like a little warm hug every time you listened to it. Jaane Nahin Denge Tujhe from 3 Idiots is another fantastic number without which the hospital scene wouldn't have had the same impact.

Speaking of 3 Idiots, Sonu Nigam has sung two more songs in it - two peppy bangers in Aal is Well and Zoobi Doobi. He showcases his range with a ton of fast paced numbers including Aaj Ki Raat, Ye Dil Deewana, You Are My Soniya, Maahi Ve, Just Chill, Nagada and Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte. He lends a goofy, playfulness in his rendering of Love is a Waste of Time. His yodelling skills in the title track of Kill/Dil is simply out of the world. If anyone could make Sachin Tendulkar's singing seem bearable, it's got to be Sonu Nigam. The only remix of old songs that I am okay with is the Gulabi Aankhen retro mix which features in the movie Noor. An absolute gem by Mohammad Rafi, it has been recreated in such a way that does not feel disrespectful to the original musicians. On top of it all, he has a great sense of humour and is a brilliant TV anchor.

We all know that in the last couple of years Bollywood music has failed to meet the standards it has set for itself. Part of the reason can be attributed to the fact that many of the current singers probably don't give the art the respect it deserves. It's a time where we all wish that singers from the eras bygone make a comeback. Here's to one such singer and wishing him a very happy birthday!

हर घड़ी बदल रही है रूप ज़िंदगी छाँव है कभी, कभी है धूप ज़िंदगी हर पल यहाँ जी भर जियो जो है समाँ कल हो न हो