Kumar Sanu

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Kumar Sanu
Kumar Sanu with Alka Yagnik in 1990s
Kumar Sanu with Alka Yagnik in 1990s
Background information
Birth nameKedarnath Bhattacharya
Also known asMelody King of Bollywood[1]
Born (1957-10-20) 20 October 1957 (age 66)
Calcutta, West Bengal, India (present-day Kolkata)
Genres
OccupationsPlayback singer
InstrumentsVocals, tabla, piano
Years active1983–present
LabelsYash Raj Films, T-Series, Sony Music, Zee Music, Tips, Saregama, Music Records, Venus Records & Tapes and Vishesh Films My Fun Music

Kedarnath Bhattacharya (born 20 October 1957), professionally known as Kumar Sanu, is an Indian playback singer. He is known as the King of Melody in Bollywood. He is famous for singing thousands of Bollywood Hindi super hit songs. Also as one of the most successful playback singers of 90s era of Bollywood. Apart from Hindi, he has also sung in other languages including Bengali, Marathi, Nepali, Assamese, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, Manipuri, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Punjabi, Odia,[2] Chhattisgarhi, Urdu, Pali, English and his native language Bengali, both in West Bengal and Bangladesh. He holds the record for winning five consecutive Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer from 1991 to 1995. He holds the Guinness Book of world records since 1993 for recording the maximum number of songs in a single day.

For his contribution to Indian cinema and music, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2009 by the Government of India. Many of his tracks feature in BBC's "Top 40 Bollywood Soundtracks of all time".[3]

Early life[edit]

Kumar Sanu's father, Pashupati Bhattacharya, was a vocalist and composer. His ancestral home and birth place is in Hasara village of Vikrampur near Dhaka. He moved to Calcutta in search of livelihood and Kumar Sanu was born in Calcutta. The two and Sanu's elder sister lived in the Sinthee area of Calcutta (now Kolkata) near Biswanath Park. Kumar Sanu lived at Panchanan tala at Gopal Bose Lane in Sinthi area at North Kolkata.[4]

Career[edit]

Main article: Kumar Sanu discography and filmography

Sanu started his playback career as Sanu Bhattacharya from 1983. In 1986, he was in the Bangladeshi film Teen Kanya,[5] directed by Shibli Sadiq. He had his first major Bollywood song in Hero Hiralal (1988).

In 1989, Jagjit Singh introduced Sanu to Kalyanji in Vimal Bunglow, Mumbai. On their suggestion, Sanu changed his early name from "Sanu Bhattacharya" to "Kumar Sanu" after his idol Kishore Kumar. Sanu then relocated to Mumbai, where Kalyanji-Anandji gave him a chance to sing in the film Jaadugar.

For the 1990 film Aashiqui, Sanu sang all but one of the songs. 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). He won 5 back to back Filmfare awards for singing, between 1990 and 1994.

Significant collaborations[edit]

Nadeem–Shravan[edit]

Kumar Sanu is with other Thakur Doultani and Shravan
Sanu with Shravan Rathod and Thakur Doultani

Kumar Sanu got his major break when Gulshan Kumar with music directors Nadeem and Shravan gave him chance to sing most of the songs of movie Aashiqui (1990), songs were recorded earlier for an album and later movie was made around the songs. The movie as well as the songs were a grand success. Thereafter, they worked together in many films including Saajan (1991), Phool Aur Kaante (1991), Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin (1991), Sadak (1991), Deewana (1992), Dil Ka Kya Kasoor (1992), Jaan Tere Naam (1992), Sapne Sajan Ke (1992), Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), Rang (1993), Damini (1993), Dilwale (1994), Aatish (1994), Salaami (1994), Andolan (1995), Barsaat (1995), Raja Hindustani (1996), Agnisakshi (1996), Jeet (1996), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Pardes (1997), Sirf Tum (1999), Dhadkan (2000), Kasoor (2001), Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love (2001), Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa (2002), Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya (2002), Dil Hai Tumhaara (2002), Dil Ka Rishta (2003), Qayamat (2003), Andaaz (2003), Bewafaa (2005) and Barsaat (2005) He sang most of his songs for them (293 songs).

Anu Malik[edit]

Sanu has sung songs of various genres with Anu Malik. It was Malik who made Sanu sing his first western-style song "Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhe", from the film Baazigar (1993). Some other achievements of the combo are Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee (1993), Sir (1993), Phool Aur Angaar (1993), Imtihaan (1994), Khuddar (1994), Vijaypath (1994), Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), Naajayaz (1995), The Gambler (1995), Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995), Diljale (1996), Krishna (1996), Sapoot (1996), Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996), Daraar (1996), Chaahat (1996), Virasat (1997), Judwaa (1997), Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi (1997), Ishq (1997), Duplicate (1998), Kareeb (1998), Soldier (1998), Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain (1999), Aarzoo (1999), Jaanam Samjha Karo (1999), Biwi No.1 (1999), Ajnabee (2001), Ishq Vishq (2003) and No Entry (2005). In 2015, they were again back with songs in Dum Laga Ke Haisha

Jatin–Lalit[edit]

Sanu started his work with Jatin–Lalit on the 1992 film Khiladi. From then on he provided his voice for hit movies including Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman (1992), Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Khamoshi (1996), Yes Boss (1997), Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai (1998), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998), Ghulam (1998), Vaastav (1999), Sarfarosh (1999), Khoobsurat (1999) and Dil Kya Kare (1999) He has sung a total of 137 songs for them.

Himesh[edit]

Kumar Sanu worked for Himesh Reshammiya, for all title tracks of TV serials which Reshammiya produced. All the title tracks were sung by Kumar Sanu, and then in his debut film as a music director, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998) and further for many other films such as Bandhan (1998), Hello Brother (1999), Kurukshetra (2000), Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye (2000), Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000), Jodi No.1 (2001), Yeh Hai Jalwa (2002), Humraaz (2002) and Taarzan (2004).

Rajesh Roshan[edit]

Beginning with "Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye" in the movie Jurm (1990), Sanu's collaboration with Rajesh Roshan produced one hit after another. Significant movies include Karan Arjun (1995), Sabse Bada Khiladi (1995), Papa Kehte Hai (1996), Dastak (1996), Koyla (1997), Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000), Kya Kehna (2000), Karobaar (2000) and Aetbaar (2004).

Viju Shah[edit]

Kumar Sanu has rendered his voice for some of Viju Shah's greatest compositions. Vishwatma (1992), Mohra (1994), Ravan Raaj: A True Story (1995), Tere Mere Sapne (1996), Gupt (1997), Aar Ya Paar (1997), Bulandi (2000), Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat (2001) and Kasam (2001) are some of their notable albums.

Anand–Milind[edit]

Kumar Sanu has recorded over 150 songs with Anand–Milind. Breaking away from his romantic image, he has sung peppy numbers for the duo, his most famous ones being for actor Govinda. He worked with the duo and successfully delivered hits such as Trinetra (1991), Jigar (1992), Bol Radha Bol (1992), Anari (1993), Platform (1993), Lootere (1993), Krantiveer (1994), Raja Babu (1994), Suhaag (1994), Gopi Kishan (1994), Jai Kishen (1994), Coolie No 1 (1995), Army (1996), Rakshak (1996), Hero No. 1 (1997), Chal Mere Bhai (2000) and Chhupa Rustam (2001).

Other work[edit]

Sanu has released albums of Kishore Kumar's songs including Kishore Ki Yaadein, a collection early in his career. Then came the Yaadein series where he sang many of the songs of Kishore Kumar along with singers Abhijeet Bhattacharya and Vinod Rathod.[6][7]

Sanu has composed music for various Indian films. Utthaan and Yeh Sunday Kyun Aata Hai are most remarkable among them. Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Anuradha Paudwal, Sapna Mukherjee, Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam, Sadhana Sargam, Sudesh Bhonsle, Shaan, Shreya Ghosal, Hema Sardesai, Sunidhi Chauhan and many more lent their voices for his music. "Yeh Kaisa Utthhan Hai" (sung by Asha Bhosle and Sonu Nigam in two different versions) and "Jisne Sapna Dekha" (sung by Sanu himself) are critically acclaimed. He sang the title song for the TV show Yeh Duniyan Gazab Ki, with singer Udit Narayan.

In 2017, Sanu along with Sadhna Sargam sung for the title track of 19s Story based TV Series "Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hain" and also appeared as a part for cameo in it.[8] In 2019, he made a little singing for the Star Plus's "Kulfi Kumarr Bajewala".[9]

Other than singing and composing music for films, he has also shown interest in producing films. In 2006, he produced his first Hindi film Utthaan. Currently, he is working with a fellow producer, Rakesh Bhhatia on a new project named Yeh Sunday Kyun Aata Hai. The film is based on the lives of four children who live in the streets of Mumbai and polish shoes at a train station in order to earn their livelihoods. The film will feature Mithun Chakraborty in a leading role. Recently, Sanu sang for a Bangladeshi Bengali film Hason Raja, which was directed by a UK-based filmmaker Ruhul Amin. This movie was never released. He also has composed for some Bengali movies; Amrita and Tobu Aporichito.

Sanu was on 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 TV in a music reality show called Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. In 2012, he judged the Zee Bangla musical reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa – Gane Gane Tomar Mone. At present, he is one of the judges of the Star Jalsha popular musical reality show Super Singer.

Recently he recorded an album named Hum aur Tum. He also recorded a Spanish song for an album. He has also the record for the most recordings of songs in a single day, 28 songs. He also made special appearances as an actor in the movies Sapne Sajan Ke (1992) Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain (1999) and Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015).

Sanu is a trustee and Brand Ambassador of Bishwa Bandhan,[10] a foundation for cerebral palsy.

Sanu opened a primary school, Kumar Sanu Vidya Niketan,[11] for underprivileged children in Karol Bagh, Delhi. The students are given uniforms and books free of cost.[12]

In 2022 Sanu collaborated with music director Vaibhav Saxena and two young singers for "Mohabbat Mein tere sanam" which was released and distributed worldwide by new-age Record Label Vusic Records.[13]

Work with other singers[edit]

Sanu had multiple hit duet numbers with singers Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, K.S.Chithra, Anuradha Paudwal, Alka Yagnik, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Sadhana Sargam, Alisha Chinai, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sapna Mukherjee, Poornima, Sapna Awasthi, Hema Sardesai, Shreya Ghoshal, Akriti Kakkar, Monali Thakur, Neha Kakkar, Jaspinder Narula and others. Sanu also multiple duets with his daughter Shannon K, pop singer and songwriter, who has launched her career in the United States in 2017.[14]

In 2023 Sanu Collaborate With Arijit Singh for a album.

Sanu is also credited with the highest number of version songs and male duet hits with the finest singers of (1980) and (1990). Some of the notable songs are as follows:

Song Film Other version sung by singer(s)
"O Priya Suno Priya" Arjun Pandit (1999) Hariharan
"Dil Ka Aalam" Aashiqui (1990) Nitin Mukesh
"Dil Ka Rishta" Dil Ka Rishta (2002) Udit Narayan and Babul Supriyo
"Kajal Kajal" Sapoot (1996) Amit Kumar
"Raja Ko Rani Se" Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995) Udit Narayan and Kumar Sanu?
"Pardesi Pardesi" Raja Hindustani (1996) Udit Narayan and Suresh Wadkar (sad version)
"Aakhon Main Base ho Tum" Takkar (1995) Abhijeet Bhattacharya
"Tum Dil Ki" Dhadkan (2000) Abhijeet Bhattacharya
"Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Hai Dilse" Dhadkan (2000) Sonu Nigam, Udit Narayan
"Woh Aankh Hi Kya" Khuddar (1994) Sonu Nigam
"Jeeye Toh Jeeya Kyse" Saajan (1991) Pankaj Udhas and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
"Dil Kya Kare" Dil Kya Kare (1999) Udit Narayan
"Janam Meri Janam" Mr. Bechara (1996) Udit Narayan
"O Dil Tod Ke Hasti Ho Mera" Bewafa Sanam (1995) Udit Narayan
"Is Tarah Aashiqui Ka" Imtihaan (1994) Amit Kumar
"Dil Mera Churaya Kyu" Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995) Udit Narayan
"Cahaton Ka Silsila" Shabd (2005) Udit Narayan
"Jis Ghadi Tujhko" Prithvi (1997 film) Udit Narayan
"Salma Pe Dil Aa Gaya" Salma Pe Dil Aa Gaya (1997) Udit Narayan, Asha Bhosle and Amit Kumar Aaina Aaina Dil ko Ravan Raaj: A True Story Pulan Visaranai

Politics[edit]

He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2004 in a ceremony headed by then Party President Venkaiah Naidu, but he later resigned to concentrate on singing.[15] He rejoined BJP on 2 December 2014, inducted by Amit Shah.[16]

Comeback[edit]

Sanu returned to playback singing in 2012. He made a comeback at the urge of composers Sajid–Wajid. Sajid-Wajid gave him "Chhammak Chhallo Chhail Chhabili", a wedding song with Shreya Ghoshal for the film Rowdy Rathore (2012). In 2015, Sanu replaced Lata Mangeshkar as the background voice of Yash Raj Films logo for the film Dum Laga Ke Haisha. This was the first time in YRF's 45-year history that the voice of Mangeshkar was replaced.[17]

In 2023 Sanu sang for Rajkummar Rao in Guns & Gulaabs.

Awards[edit]

Civil honours[edit]

Year Award Honouring body
2001 31 March – Kumar Sanu Day: first Indian singer to achieve such honour in America Michael R. Turner, Mayor, Dayton, Ohio, U.S.[18]
2001 Doctorate (honorary) University of America
2009 Padma Shri: India's 4th highest civilian honour Government of India
2012 Dr. Ambedkar Awards[19] People Education Society
2014 Maharashtraratna Awards Government of Maharashtra
2014 Mahanayak Samman Lifetime Achievement: as Bengali Playback Singer Government of West Bengal
2015 Sangeet Samman Lifetime Achievement Award Government of West Bengal[20]
2017 Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Nobel Award[19] International Human Rights Council
2018 Felicitation at the UK Houses of Parliament, along with Anuradha Paudwal for contribution in Indian Music and also social services. Indo-British All Party Parliamentary Group[21]
2019 Bishesh Sangeet Mahasanman Government of West Bengal
2021 Honoured with a Doctorate for his contribution to music. He has also been recognized with the Maharashtra Samman Award. Talking about the same, Sanu told IANS: "American University of USA has honoured me with the Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award. It is a Doctorate and the certificate came from the United States. The Governors of 120 countries have approved this. The award was given in Pune." The American University of USA
2021 Lata Mangeshkar Award Government of Madhya Pradesh[22]
2022 Banga Bibhushan, Highest Civilian Award of West Bengal Government of West Bengal

|- |2023 |Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar National Contribution Award, [National Award At Rajbhavan Mumbai] |Shri Bhagat Singh Koshiyari Honourable Governor Of Maharastra And Organiser Shri Gurubhai Sureshbhai Thakkar |}

Filmfare Awards[edit]

Won
Year Song Film Music director(s) Lyricist
1991 "Ab Tere Bin" Aashiqui Nadeem-Shravan Sameer
1992 "Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai" Saajan
1993 "Sochenge Tumhe Pyaar" Deewana
1994 "Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen" Baazigar Anu Malik Dev Kohli
1995 "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha" 1942: A Love Story R.D. Burman Javed Akhtar
Nominated
Year Song Film
1994 "Baazigar O Baazigar" Baazigar
1995 "Kuch Na Kaho" 1942: A Love Story
1996 "Tujhe Dekha To" Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
1996 "Tu Mile Dil Khile" Criminal
1998 "Do Dil Mil Rahe Hain" Pardes
1999 "Ladki Badi Anjaani Hai" Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
2000 "Aankhon Ki Gusthakiyaan" Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
2003 "Sanam Mere Humraaz" Humraaz
2004 "Kisise Tum Pyar Karo" Andaaz

Other awards[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "Notes to note from the melody king of the Bollywood, Kumar Sanu". The Hindu. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  2. ↑ "Kumar Sanu Odia Songs".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ↑ BBC. "BBC – Asian Network – Top 40 Soundtracks of All Time". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  4. ↑ "A Singer Acts". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 19 April 1997. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  5. ↑ Khole, Purva (23 September 2013). "Kumar Sanu, happy birthday". Bollywoodlife.com. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  6. ↑ "Kumar Sanu: The Melody Of His Voice Lingers On - Odisha Bytes" https://odishabytes.com/kumar-sanu-the-melody-of-his-voice-lingers-on/amp/
  7. ↑ "Singer Kumar Sanu on Being the King of Melody | Entertainment" https://www.idiva.com/entertainment/bollywood/i-will-always-remain-king/24242
  8. ↑ India-West, R. M. VIJAYAKAR, Special to. "Kumar Sanu Makes Cameo Appearance in 'Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai'". India West.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ↑ "Kulfi Kumar Bajewala | Kumar Sanu & SiKulfi". YouTube. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021.
  10. ↑ "BishwaBandhan: PURPOSE". 20 March 2016. Archived from the original on 20 March 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  11. ↑ "Kumar Sanu Vidya Niketan – An NGO for underprivileged children". kumarsanuvidyaniketan.org. Archived from the original on 26 October 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  12. ↑ "Singer Kumar Sanu opens school for the underprivileged.. - Bollywood.com News". Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  13. ↑ "Kumar Sanu teams up with youngsters to bring melody back- Gunjan Jha, Vaibhav Saxena create magical tunes; Kshitij, Diksha lend velvet voice - The Week" https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/2022/03/04/mohabbat-mein-tere-sanam--melody-is-back.html
  14. ↑ "Interview with talented Pop Singer Shannon K". CreativInn Art Mag.
  15. ↑ "Kumar Sanu will "sing" for BJP". The Hindu. 17 March 2004. Archived from the original on 4 April 2004. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  16. ↑ "Bollywood singer Kumar Sanu joins BJP". Times Of India. 2 December 2014. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  17. ↑ "Lata Mangeshkar Replaced By Kumar Sanu For Ayushmann Khurrana's Dum Laga Ke Haisha". 18 February 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  18. ↑ "Day tripper: Kumar Sanu goes global". Filmfare. July 2001. Archived from the original on 30 August 2004. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "International Human Rights Council Honours Dharmendra With Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Nobel Award". indiatimes.com. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  20. ↑ "Bappi Lahiri, Kumar Sanu given Lifetime Achievement awards". 14 December 2015.
  21. ↑ "Kumar Sanu and Anuradha Paudwal honoured at UK Houses of Parliament". 8 July 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  22. ↑ "Kumar Sanu, Shailendra Singh, Anand-Milind to get Lata Mangeshkar Award". The Hindu. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  23. ↑ "Salman Khan, Sunny Leone are Google's most searched Indian actors of last 10 years". 15 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  24. ↑ "Maximum Bollywood Songs Recorded in a Single Day". 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.

External links[edit]

Template:ScreenAwardBestMalePlaybackSinger Template:Bengal Film Journalists' Association Best Male Playback Award

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