Asha Bhosle

Ashaji was the only singer who was able to compete with Lata Mangeshkar, she won the filmfare award consecutively in 1967 & 1968 when Lata still used to accept the Filmfare Award. After 1969, with Lata giving up the Filmfare award the coast was clear for Asha Bhosle and she went on to win the award 7 times which is the maximum any female singer ever won.She gave up the award after 1977. Though Kishore Kumar won the maximum number of filmfare awards, it was because unlike the Mangeshkar sisters he never refused the award. So if we compare till 1977 Asha had won the maximum number of filmfare awards ( Male & Female).


1967 - Garibon Ki Suno [DUS LAKH]
1968 - Parde Mein Rehne Do [SHIKHAR]
1971 - Piya Tu Ab To Aaja [CARAVAN]
1972 - Dum Maro Dum [HARE RAMA HARE KRISHNA]
1973 - Hone Lagi Hain Raat [NAINA]
1974 - Chain Se Humko [PRAN JAYE PAR VACHAN NA JAYE]
1977 - Yeh Mera Dil [DON]

1996 : Filmfare Special Award ( Rangeela Re - RANGEELA)

2001 : Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
(Ashaji on her recieving the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award)
National Award1981 - Dil Cheez Kya Hain [UMRAO JAAN]
1986 - Mera Kuch Samaan [IJAZAT]
Other Awards1987 : Nightingale Of Asia
1989 : Lata Mangeshkar Award (Madhya Pradesh Govt.)
1997 : Screen Videocon Award ( Jaanam Samjha Karo)
1997 : MTV Award ( Jaanam Samjha Karo)
1997 : Channel V Award ( Jaanam Samjha Karo)
1997 : Grammy Award Nomination (Legacy with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan)
1999 : Lata Mangeshar Award (Maharashtra Govt.)
2000 : Singer Of the Millennium ( Dubai)
2000 : Kolhapuri Bhushan Award
2000 : Sangli Bhushan Award
2000 : Omega Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award
2000 : Zee Gold Bollywood Award (Mujhe Rang De - Thakshak)
2001 : MTV Award ( Kambakt Ishq)
2001 : Dada Saheb Phalke Award
2001 : Dayawati Modi Award
2002 : Zee Cine Award (Radha Kaise Na - Lagaan)
2002 : Zee Cine - Hall Of Fame Award
2002 : Screen Videocon Award (Radha Kaise Na - Lagaan)
2002 : Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar
2002 : Sansui Movie Award (Radha Kaise Na - Lagaan)
2002 : Rajshree Shahu Purskar

* Honorary Doctrates from the University Of Amravati & Jalgaon in Literature.
* Ashaji has also recieved the Freddy Mercury Award.
* Ashaji has recieved 14 Maharashtra State Awards & the Sur Singar Award.
* Ashaji is also the first Indian Singer to be nominated for the Grammy Award.
Asha Bhosle AwardIn recognition of Asha's extraordinary talent and her services to the field of music, the Asha Bhosle Award has been instituted in 2002. The first recipient of the award is none other than Lata Mangeshkar

Chembai Vaidyanatha Iyer

 

Chembai Vaidyanatha Iyer was one of the leading practitioners of Carnatic Music in the period usually referred to as the 'Golden Era'. Old timers are enthusiastic in pointing out that he, along with Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar & Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer formed the 'Modern Trinity of Carnatic Music', the trio who were responsible for keeping up the concert tradition in the vacuum caused by the departure of the titans in the beginning of the 20th Century before the entry of the bright young stars such as Musiri Subramania Iyer, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, G.N.Balasubramanian, Madurai Mani Iyer and the female-trio comprising of M.S.Subbulakshmi, D.K.Pattammal and M.L.Vasanthakumari, who took to the stage later. But what made Chembai different from them was his voice, that booming, metallic, powerful voice which never seemed to depart from sruti. 
It is not very hard to imagine why Chembai, as he was popularly called, was phenomenally popular. With a knowledge of the art deeply acquired and with a voice that earned him the fame of 'Bell Metal Voiced Bhagavatar' with its power and majesty yet sweet and melodious, Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar rose to supreme heights, taking vast audiences to rapturous delights in a span of about 70 years of performance expertise. Born in a family of musicians, whose traditions ran uninterruptedly for over two centuries, and being a great grandson of 'Chakra Tanam' Subba Iyer, who was a contemporary of Saint Thyagaraja, Chembai had music in his blood. A deeply religious man, music in his family was taught and learnt as part of Vedic instruction. He had his early training under his father and equipped himself fully to give an independent performance even at the age of nine. A humble man, he attributed all his success to his favorite God - Guruvayurappan. 
As a performer his creative ability was astonishing, and he could do a neraval and swaraprastara from any given point, which bespoke of mental alertness from the word "go", in a concert. His abiding sympathy for his accompanists and disciples was noteworthy and he would go to any length to encourage them by giving them full scope to develop and display their talent. His closed left fist gently swaying up and down, the joy of pure nada when he held on to single notes, his very own kathri swaras, his stupendous stamina, his great sense of humour, his closed mouth singing of ragas etc., endeared him to connoisseurs and critics alike. Together with this should be seen how he was above caste and communal prejudices ruling the roost in contemporary music world, especially in his relation with his disciples, allowing any aspiring and talented youngster to learn from him. 
With his rich vibrant voice and a ringing tone, Chembai's music had a direct appeal to his listeners. Mr. B.V.K.Sastri, musicologist says, "The deep solid tone seeming to illuminate such model figure in his singing and the joy of the pure nada when he held on to single notes are something not easily forgotten.'' Special mention must also be made of Chembai's total mastery over his voice, achieved from rigorous practice of the techniques of rendition such as namitham, dhavala sadhakam, vaiji sadhakam, sukla paksha sadhakam - to be able to sing in all kalas with equal facility. To Chembai, the main factors that contributed to the development of a musical personality were the intuition of the musician, his sound knowledge of ragas and swaras and firm control of sruti and laya and the capacity to evolve an individual style of expression suited to one's voice and aptitude and ideas distilled through the variegated experience behind him.  
Chembai was the recipient of numerous honours. He received the 'Sangita Kalanidhi' title in 1951, 'Central Natak Akademi Award' and 'Padmabhushan' from President of India, and the 'Gayana Gandharva' title. Swami Sivananda conferred on him the title of Sangita Samrat. Honours were also bestowed on him by the rulers of Cochin, Mysore, Baroda, Vijayanagaram, Bobbili and Jaipur. He lived a life of a savant and passed away on October 16, 1974. Even after his demise, Chembai continues to inspire countless musicians who participate in his memorial concerts. He enjoys a cult-like following among his large network of disciples and admirers throughout India and abroad. This website is a small dedication to that great vidwan.

Hans Raj

Biography
Hans Raj Hans is a rustic Punjabi singer born in a village near Jalandhar. Apart from Punjabi Folk and Sufi music, Hans Raj has also sung in movies and released his own Indipop albums. He has worked with renowned artists such as the late Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in the movie Kachhe Dhaage. Though influenced by a street singer named Sitara Singh, Hans Raj Hans was a devotee of Ustad Puran Shahkoti who trained him in Sufi and Classical sangeet. Recently, Hans received the fourth highest civilian award of India, The Padma Shree Award for Arts. After a series of hits and misses, he gained popularity with the song ‘Ni Vanjaaran Kuriey,' a culturally rich classical item. Since his debut album, Jogian de kanna vich’ in 1973, Hans has worked very hard to prove himself as an accomplished folk, Sufi and pop singer. His recently released Sufi album 'Tera Ishq' showed the world what Punjabi musicians are made of.
Discography

Albums
• Jogiyaan De Kanna Vich
• Balle Ni Rahe Rahe
• Ik Dung Hor Mar Ja
• Tera Mera Pyar
• Ashiqan Di Kahdi Zindagi
• Aar Tutdi Naa Parr Tutdi
• Ishqe Di Barsaat
• Mohabbat
• Lal Grara
• Jhanjar
• Chorni
• Jhanjiriya
• Tera Ishq
• Gham
• Sab Ton Sohni
• Wanjara
• Yaara o Yaara
• Ghama di raat
• Sajda
Sikh DevotionalReligious Songs Hyms
• Sikhi Diyan Shaana
• Nikey Nikey Do Khalse
• Bole So Nihal
• Mera Bajaan Wala Maahi
• Patta Patta Singhan Da Vairi
• Sikhi Diyan Shaana


Awards

Padma Shree Award for Arts

SP Balasubramaniam

SP Balasubramaniam is a veteran singer, who has been associated with the Indian film industry for the past thirty years. Fondly called SPB, he is best known for his versatility, incredible voice range, unique style of singing and a voice with depth. Balasubramaniam has sung thousands of songs, in five different Indian languages, during his career span. As a singer, he virtually ruled Telugu, Tamil and Kannada film music industry for over two decades and rendered some of the evergreen hits during the period. SP Balasubramanyam has shown his artistic excellence as a music composer, actor and dubbing artist as well.

Childhood And Education
Born on 4th June 1946, in Konetammapeta, near Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, SP Balasubramaniam belongs to an orthodox Telugu Brahmin family. He has two brothers and five sisters. He is the elder brother of the well-known singer SP Sailaja. His father, SP Sambamurthy, was a renowned exponent of Harikatha. SP Balasubramanyam developed a keen interest in music at a very young age. Singing was his hobby and he learned to play musical instruments, including flute and harmonium, on his own, without acquiring formal training for the same. Since his father wanted him to become an engineer, he took admission in JNTU College of Engineering and pursued an AMIE course as well.

Early Life
SPB participated in a number of singing competitions, when he was studying, and won several awards. One such competition proved to be the turning point in his life. In 1964, Music director SP Kodandapani noticed Balasubramaniam performing at a singing competition, organized by Madras-based Telugu Cultural Organization. The music director was very much impressed by SPB’s performance and decided to introduce him as a singer in the Telugu film 'Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna' (1967), for which he had composed the songs. Other music directors across the South Indian film industry were equally impressed by the new voice. Consequently, the singer was offered chances to sing in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam films.



As A Singer And A Music Director
SP Balasubramaniam has sung over 39,000 songs, in five different languages including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam. The singer’s name also features in Guinness Book of World Records, for singing the most number of song recordings within a very short period. He has sung songs in various genres of Indian music. His maximum songs are in Telugu, followed by Tamil. Apart from film songs, he has also chanted slokas in Sanskrit for cassettes, one of the most popular being “Sivastuti”. Apart from singing, SP Balasubramaniam has composed several songs for Telugu films as well.


As An Actor and Dubbing Artist
SP Balasubramanyam made his debut as an actor in the Telugu film “Pellante Noorella Panta”, released in 1969. Thereafter, he was offered character actor roles in many Telugu films. He also went on to do Tamil films, in which he contributed as a supporting actor. Balasubramaniam also dubbed for a number of actors, including Kamal Hassan, Salman Khan, Bhagyaraj, Mohan, Girish Karnad, Gemini Ganesh, Nagesh, Karthik, Raghuvaran and Vinodkumar. He was assigned as the default dubbing artist for Kamal Hassan’s many Telugu movies, dubbed from Tamil.

Awards

National Awards
1979: Shankarabharanam for the song “Om Kaara Nadhaanu” (Telugu)
1981: Ek Duje Ke Liye for the song “Tere Mere Beech Mein” (Hindi)
1983: Saagara Sangamam for the song “Thakitha Thadimi” (Telugu)
1988: Rudra Veena for the song “Cheppaalani Undi” (Telugu)
1995: Sangeetha Sagara Ganayogi Panchakshara Gavai for the song “Umandu Ghumandu Ghana Gar Je Badara” (Kannada)
1996: Minsaara Kanavu for the song “Thanga Thamarai” (Tamil)

Andhra Pradesh State Award
1978: “Naalaaga endaro” - Best Singer
1979: “Shankarabharanam” - Best Singer
1981: “Premaabhishekam” - Best Singer
1983: “Bahudoorapu baatasaari” - Best Singer
1984: “Suvarna sundari” - Best Singer
1985: “Mayuri” - Best Music Director
1986: “Sirivennela” - Best Singer
1987: “Abhinandana” - Best Singer
1989: “Neerajanam” - Best Singer
1991: “Chanti” - Best Singer
1992: “Bangaaru mama” - Best Singer
1993: “Mr.Pellaam” - Best Singer
1994: “Bhairavadweepam” - Best Singer
1996: “Pavithra Bhandam” - Best Supporting Actor
1997: “Priya Ragalu” - Best Singer , “Annamayya” - Best Dubbing Artist
2000: “Raghavayyagari Abbai” - Best Singer
2002: “Vasu” - Best Singer
2003: “Seetayya” - Best Singer
2005: “Pellam Pichhodu” - Best Singer Andhra Pradesh
Filmfare Awards
2007: “Mozhi” (Tamil)
2008: Maine Pyar Kiya for the song “Dil Deewana) (Hindi)
Filmography

As Music Director
1977: Kanya Kumari (Telugu)
1978: Sandarbha (Kannada)
1979: Captain Krishna (Telugu), Ra Ra Krishnayya (Telugu), Toorpu Velle Railu (Telugu)
1980: Hum Paanch (Background Score) ((Hindi))
1981: Ohamma Katha (Telugu), Sangeeta (Telugu), Thaiyyalkaaran (Tamil)
1983: Uranta Sankranti (Telugu)
1984: Bharyamani (Telugu), Seethamma Pelli (Telugu)
1985: Bangaru Chilaka (Telugu), Devaralledane (Kannada), Dongallo Dora (Telugu), Jockey (Telugu), Kongumudi (Telugu), Mayuri (Tamil), Mayuri (Telugu), Muddula Manavaralu (Telugu)
1986: Bete (Kannada) Maghadeerudu (Telugu), Naach Mayuri (Hindi) Padamati Sandya Ragam (Telugu), Sowbhagyalakshmi (Kannada)
1987 Gouthami (Telugu), Lawyer Suhasini (Telugu), Pratima (Telugu), Ramu (Telugu)
1988: Chinnodu Peddodu (Telugu), Kallu (Telugu), Neeku Naaku Pellanta (Telugu), Oh Bharya Katha (Telugu), Premayanam (Telugu), Ramanna Shyamanna (Kannada)
1989: Vivaaha Bhojanam (Telugu)
1990: Siddartha (Telugu)
1991: Mahayagnam (Telugu), Sigaram (Tamil)
1992: Belliyappa Banagarappa (Kannada), Jaithra Yaatra (Telugu), Ksheera Saagara (Kannada)
1993: Muddina Maava (Kannada)
2005: Unnai Charanadaithaen (Tamil)
As An Actor
1969: Pellante Noorella Panta (Telugu)
1971: Mohammed Bin Tuglaq (Tamil)
1976: Parvathalu Paanakalu (Telugu)
1980: Pakkinti Ammayi (Telugu)
1982: Baalondu Chadaranga (Kannada), Malle Pandiri (Telugu)
1983: Bharat 2000 (Kannada)
1987: Manadil Urudi Vendum (Tamil)
1988: Prema (Telugu), Vivaha Bhojanambu (Telugu)
1990: Keladi Kanmani (Tamil), Palai Vanna Ragangal (Tamil)
1992: Koteswaran (Tamil), Thyagu (Tamil), Guna (Tamil)
1993: Thiruda Thiruda (Tamil)
1994: Jolly (Telugu), Kaadalan/Premikudu (Tamil)/(Telugu), Ullasam (Tamil)
1995: Raja Hamsa (Telugu), Tirugu Bhana (Kannada)
1996: Drohi (Telugu), Kaadal Desam (Tamil), Minsarakanavu (Tamil) Myna (Telugu), Nandini (Tamil), Pavithra Bandham (Telugu), Avvai Shanmugi (Tamil)
1997: Devullu (Telugu), Pellivaramandi (Telugu), Prena (Telugu), Rakshagan (Tamil), w/o Vara Prasad (Telugu)
1998: Bharathan (Tamil), Paattu Paadavaa (Tamil), Sandhrba (Kannada)
1999: Aaro Pranam (Telugu), Dheerga Sumangali (Telugu), Mechanic Maavaiah (Telugu), Paadutha Theeyaga (Telugu)
2000: Goppinti Alludu (Telugu), Manasu Paddanu Kanni (Telugu), Maya (Tamil), Priyamaanavale (Tamil)
2001: Chirujallu (Telugu)
2002: Indra (Telugu), Padharella Ammayi (Telugu)
2003: Magic Magic (Tamil), Fools (Telugu), Maha Yedabidangi (Kannada)
2004: Royela (Telugu)
2006: Mayabazaar (Telugu), Roommates (Telugu)
2007: Yen Uyirinum Melana (Tamil)

Sonu Nigam

Sonu Nigam is one of the most popular singers of Bollywood. He is a teen idol who has inspired thousands of young singers across the country. This talented singer was born in Faridabad district of Haryana on July 30th, 1973. He did his schooling from J.D. Tytler School in Delhi. Thereafter he moved to Bombay to pursue his dream of making a career in music. Given here is a short biography of Sonu Nigam.

Sonu Nigam's father Agam Kumar is a renowned singer who performed on many stage shows in his prime. Sonu Nigam used to accompany his father to his shows and once gave a moving performance at the tender age of three. He sang the superhit song of Mohammed Rafi "Kya Hua Tera Wada" of the movie "Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahi". It was appreciated by all and Sonu Nigam tasted fame. He was encouraged to hone his singing though many claimed he was just a Rafi clone.

He got his first break to sing for the movie Janum in the year 1990. Though the film flopped, he got noticed by the famous Gulshan Kumar. He offered Sonu to sing in the film Bewafa Sanam. The song "Accha Sila Diya" became that year's biggest hit. He shot to fame and was noticed by one and all. Sonu Nigam was poured with offers thereafter and got another great opportunity to make his mark in the form of television host for the musical talent show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.

In the year 1997, he got his biggest hit with the film "Border". His song "Sandese Aate Hain" was touted as the biggest hit of that year and he won the Zee Cine award for the song. He proved critics wrong who said he was a Rafi clone with the song "Yeh Dil" from the film "Pardes". With more and more offers pouring in and films like Taal, Pukar and Saathiya, he carved a niche for himself. Sonu Nigam has also released many pop albums namely Deewana, Jaan, Yaad, Mausam and Chanda Ki Doli, which have become major hits. He also tried his hand at acting and has done films like Jaani Dushman, Love in Nepal and Kash Aap Hamare Hote.

Sonu Nigam have his own radio show on Radio City 91 FM which is known as Life Ki Dhun. He has interviewed many eminent personalities of the film industry. One can also tune into this show on the Internet. His recent soundtracks of the movies Kal Ho Na Ho and Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna are chart toppers and have made him a favorite among the younger generation. He plans to release a semi-classical album and an English album in the near future. Sonu Nigam has truly made an indelible mark in the industry and continues to add the melody in life with his flawless voice.

Pankaj Udhas

Pankaj Udhas is a pre-eminent Ghazal singer from India. He is credited with bringing this unique singing style where Urdu verses of poets are set to music to the mass audience across the country along with other musicians like Jagjit Singh and Talat Aziz.

Pankaj Udhas was born on 17 April 1951 in Savarkundla in the Gujarat State in India. His older brother Manhar Udhas achieved some success as a Hindi playback singer in Bollywood movies.He had sudied in Sir BPTI Bhavanagar. His family moved to Bombay and Pankaj attended St. Xavier’s College in Bombay, Pankaj was first noticed as a professional singer in the film Naam (1986 film), in which his song Chitthi Aayee Hai became an instant hit. He recorded several albums since then and toured the world as an accomplished Ghazal singer. He has also composed music for many films and performed as a playback singer for others.

He received the Padma Shri, a Government of India civilian award in 2006.