Sonu Nigam facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sonu Nigam
Nigam in 2013
Born	Sonu Kumar Nigam (1973-07-30) 30 July 1973 (age 51) Faridabad, Haryana, India
Occupation	Playback singer music director actor dubbing artist
Years active	1990–present
Spouse(s)	Madhurima Nigam ​ (m. 2002)​
Children	1
Relatives	Teesha Nigam (sister)
Awards	See below
Honours	Padma Shri (2022)
Musical career
Genres	Filmi Classical Pop R'n'B Ghazals Rock Devotional
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	T-Series Sony Music Tips Saregama

Sonu Nigam (born 30 July 1973) is a famous Indian playback singer. He is also a music director, a voice actor, and an actor. Sonu Nigam is known for singing many different kinds of songs. He can sing various types of music very well because of his amazing voice. Many people think he is one of the best and most successful singers in Indian music history. He is sometimes called the "Lord of Chords" in the Indian music world.

Sonu Nigam mainly sings in Hindi and Kannada movies. He has recorded over 6,000 songs in more than 32 languages. He has also released music albums that are not from movies. He has acted in some Hindi films. Nigam has won many important awards. These include a National Award, two Filmfare Awards, and two Filmfare Awards South. He also won four IIFA Awards for Best Playback Singer. In 2013, he was a top artist on the Billboard Uncharted charts twice. In 2022, he received the Padma Shri. This is India's fourth-highest award for civilians.

Nigam is often called the "Modern Rafi." This name was given to him because he looks up to the singer Mohammad Rafi. He has sung many types of songs. These include romantic, rock, devotional, ghazal, and patriotic songs. Besides Hindi and Kannada, he has sung in many other languages. These include Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, and Tamil. He has also sung in Odia, English, Assamese, and Malayalam. In total, he has sung in over 32 languages. Nigam has released pop albums in several languages. He has also released Hindu and Islamic devotional albums. He has even released some Buddhist albums. Nigam has performed concerts all over the world. He has sung in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

Early Life and Family

Nigam and his wife Madhurima at Rakesh Roshan's birthday in 2017

Sonu Kumar Nigam was born on 30 July 1973. His parents were Agam Kumar Nigam and Shobha Nigam. He was born in Faridabad, Haryana, India. His father was from Agra, and his mother was from Garhwal. He has two sisters. One is Meenal Nigam, a yoga therapist. The other is Teesha Nigam, who is also a singer.

Sonu started singing when he was only four years old. He joined his father on stage to sing a song by Mohammed Rafi. His father, Agam Kumar Nigam, used to sing at weddings and parties. Sonu would often go with him and sing too. When he was 19, he moved to Mumbai with his father. He wanted to start his singing career in Bollywood. He learned classical Indian music from Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan.

Sonu Nigam is a Hindu. He married Madhurima Mishra on 15 February 2002. They have one son together. For a while, he changed his name to Sonu Niigaam because of numerology. But later, he decided to go back to his birth name.

Music Career

Starting as a Singer (1990–1999)

Sonu Nigam's first song was for a movie called Janam in 1990. However, that movie was never released. He started his career with a song from a TV show called Talash in 1992. His first movie song was "O Aasmanwale" from Aaja Meri Jaan (1993). In 1992, he released his first album, Rafi Ki Yaadein. This album was a collection of songs by his idol, Mohammed Rafi.

After this, he sang in many films. Some of these include Muqabla (1993), Aag (1994), and Ram-Jaane (1995). He also sang in Hero No. 1 (1997) and Soldier (1998).

In 1995, he started hosting the TV show Sa Re Ga Ma. This show made him very well-known in many homes. His song "Accha Sila Diya" from the film Bewafa Sanam brought him even more success. In 1997, he sang the patriotic song "Sandese Aate Hai" from Border. He also sang "Yeh Dil Deewana" in Pardes that same year. Both songs were very popular. Other notable songs from this time include "Zindagi Maut na Ban Jaye" from Sarfarosh (1999) and "Ishq Bina" from Taal. His album Deewana was released in 1999 and became very popular.

Big Success and Awards (2000s)

Nigam in 2012

In the 2000s, Sonu Nigam sang many hit songs. These include "Suraj Hua Maddham" from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... and "Panchi Nadiya Pawan Ke" from Refugee. He sang these with Alka Yagnik. He also sang "Tanhayee" from Dil Chahta Hai.

In 2002, he won his first Filmfare Award. This was for the title song of the film Saathiya. The song was composed by A.R. Rahman. His biggest hit during this time was "Kal Ho Naa Ho" from the movie of the same name (2003). This song won him his only National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer. It also earned him his second Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer and a third IIFA Award for Best Male Playback Singer.

From 2004 onwards, he continued to sing many popular songs. These include "Main Hoon Na" from Main Hoon Na and "Do Pal" from Veer-Zaara. He sang "Do Pal" with the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar. Other hits were "Chup Chup Ke" from Bunty Aur Babli and "Pyar Ki Ek Kahani" from Krrish. He also sang "Main Agar Kahoon" from Om Shanti Om. In the film Parineeta, he sang four songs with Shreya Ghoshal. Some of his most loved songs from this period were "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" and "Tumhi Dekho Naa" from Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006).

He was also a main singer in 3 Idiots. He sang "Jaane Nahin Denge Tujhe" and "Aal Izz Well." In 2008, he released Rafi Resurrected. This was a collection of Rafi songs with the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. He also wrote lyrics and directed music for his album Chanda Ki Doli. After Michael Jackson passed away, Nigam released a tribute song for him.

He performed in many concerts around the world. In 2007, he was part of "The Incredibles" tour. He also did solo concerts called "Simply Sonu" in Canada and Germany. In 2008, he toured the United Kingdom. In 2009, he toured the US with Sunidhi Chauhan.

Recent Work and Collaborations (2010–Present)

In 2010, Sonu sang "Chori Kiya Re Jiya" from Dabangg. He also sang the title track for Tees Maar Khan in 54 different voices. He won several awards in 2010. These included the Global Indian Music Academy Awards for "All Izz Well."

In 2011, Nigam worked with Britney Spears on a remix of her song "I Wanna Go." He also worked with DJ Avicii on "Indian Levels" in 2012. In 2011, Sonu collaborated with Michael Jackson's brother, Jermaine Jackson. They made a song called "This Is It" as a tribute to Michael. Sonu also sang "Let's Go for Glory" at the 2011 Cricket World Cup opening ceremony. He composed this song himself.

In 2012, Sonu's song "Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin" from Agneepath was a huge success. He won many awards for this song. He considers it one of his best songs.

In 2013, Nigam composed music for films like Singh Saab The Great and Jal. He worked with percussionist Bickram Ghosh on these. He was ranked the number one artist on the US Billboard Uncharted charts twice in 2013. He sang two songs for the movie PK: "Bhagwan Hai Kahan Re Tu" and "Love is a Waste of Time."

In 2015, "Sapna Jahan" from Brothers became popular. He also sang "Tere Bin" from Wazir with Shreya Ghoshal. Sonu also collaborated with musicians worldwide for "Imagine (UNICEF: World Version)." In 2016, he released his single "Crazy Dil." He also worked with a Transgender band called "6 Pack Band." In 2017, Sonu collaborated with Indian-American DJ kshmr on the song "Underwater." He also sang with cricketer Sachin Tendulkar for his debut single.

In 2018, Sonu worked with American Rapper MC Yogi on "Hall Of Fame." He sang a popular song called "Main Badhiya Tu Bhi Badhiya" in the movie Sanju. He also sang "Kulfi" from 102 Not Out. Sonu sang the remake of "Badan Pe Sitare" for the film Fanney Khan. This song was originally sung by his idol, Mohammad Rafi. Sonu also sings songs for social causes. He sang "Tik Tik Plastic" to spread the message of "Say No To Plastic."

In 2021, Sonu toured the United Kingdom for his "Rafi Kishore aur Main" show. He sang his own songs and classic songs by Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi. Sonu also launched his NFT Series. This made him the first Indian singer to launch an NFT.

Sonu Nigam is also a leader at Artium Academy. This is an online music school for Indian music. He trains teachers and holds masterclasses for students.

'I Believe Music' Label

Sonu Nigam started his own music label on 30 July 2020. This was on his 47th birthday. The label is called 'I Believe Music'. The first song released under this label was "Rudhrashtakam."

Kannada Film Songs

Nigam performing at the live concert in 2014

Sonu Nigam's first song in Kannada was in 1996 for the film Jeevanadhi. Since then, he has sung over 900 Kannada songs.

Some of his popular Kannada songs include "Cheluve Yeke Bande" from Majnu and "Titanic Heroine Nee Nanna Cheluve" from Snehaloka. The songs "Mungaru Maleye" and "Anisuthide" from the 2006 film Mungaru Male were very successful. Sonu Nigam has said that he enjoys singing Kannada songs more than Hindi songs. He feels positive when he sings them. He respects musicians from Karnataka greatly. He even considers Bangalore his second home.

Other Work

Hosting and Judging TV Shows

Sonu Nigam hosted the Sa Re Ga Ma music show from 1995 to 1999. This show made him a household name. He later returned as a judge on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs International in 2007. He was also a judge on the grand finale of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Mega Challenge in 2009.

In 2002, Nigam hosted Kisme Kitna Hai Dum on Star Plus. He was a judge on Indian Idol for seasons 1 and 2. He also appeared as a celebrity judge in later seasons.

In 2006, Nigam hosted "Life Ki Dhun with Sonu Nigaam" on Radiocity 91.1 FM. In this show, he interviewed other musicians. He was also a judge on STAR Voice of India and Jo Jeeta Wohi Super Star. Nigam was a judge and mentor on Chhote Ustaad – Do Deshon Ki Ek Awaaz (2010). He also judged the first season of X Factor (India) (2011). In 2015, he appeared on "The Anupam Kher Show." He was also one of the judges for Indian Idol in 2016–17.

Sonu has hosted many Mirchi Music Awards ceremonies. In 2021, he was a judge on the Bengali music reality show Super Singer Season 3.

Singing Style

Sonu Nigam at an event in 2012.

Sonu Nigam is known as one of the most versatile singers in Indian music. This means he can sing many different styles of music. Forbes India has called him the most versatile singer in India.

The entertainment platform Radio Mirchi also says he is the most versatile singer of his generation. They placed him at number 6 on their list of top 10 most versatile Indian singers ever. He is often compared to Mohammed Rafi because their voices sound similar. The legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar has said she likes Sonu Nigam best among modern singers. She noted that he is serious about music and sings with confidence.

Many other singers look up to Sonu Nigam. Armaan Malik and Ankit Tiwari say he inspires them. Shreya Ghoshal considers him her favorite contemporary singer. Sunidhi Chauhan says his live singing is so perfect it sounds like a studio recording. Arijit Singh believes no other singer today can sing with such perfection. Palash Sen called him the most talented singer in Bollywood.

Awards and Honours

Nigam receiving the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer from then President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (left), 2005.

The President, Ram Nath Kovind presenting the Padma Shri Award to Nigam on 28 March 2022

Sonu Nigam has won many important awards. These include India's fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri. He has also won one National Award, two Filmfare Awards, and two Filmfare Awards South. He has won the IIFA Award four times. In 2014, he was nominated for an Oscar Academy Awards for the soundtrack of Jal. He composed this with Bickram Ghosh. He was also ranked the Number 1 artist on the US Billboard Uncharted charts twice in 2013.

Here are some of his key awards:

• 1997 - Sansui Viewers' Choice Award for Best Male Singer for "Sandese Aate Hai" from Border
• 2003 - Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for "Saathiya" from Saathiya
• 2004 - National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for "Kal Ho Naa Ho" from Kal Ho Naa Ho
• 2004 - Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for "Kal Ho Naa Ho" from Kal Ho Naa Ho
• 2008 - Filmfare Awards South, Kannada, Best Male Playback Singer for Ninnindale from Milana
• 2009 - Filmfare Awards South, Kannada, Best Male Playback Singer for Yenagali from Mussanje Maathu
• 2010 - BIG Star Entertainment Awards Best Playback Singer of the Decade (2000–2010) (MALE)
• 2013 - Mirchi Music Award for Male Vocalist of The Year for "Abhi Mujhme Kahin" from Agneepath
• 2013 - 14th IIFA Awards Best Male Playback Singer for "Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin" – Agneepath
• 2021 - Mirchi Music Award for Male Vocalist of the Decade for "Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin" (Agneepath)
• 2022 - Padma Shri
• 2023 - Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award

Discography

As a Music Director

Filmography

Dubbing Work

Television

Images for kids

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  Sonu Nigam during a Peace Rally in Mumbai on 20 November 2011

See also

In Spanish: Sonu Niigaam para niños

• List of Indian playback singers
• Prabhat Samgiita