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 52) Faridabad, Haryana, India
Occupation	Playback singer music director actor dubbing artist
Years active	1993–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 Semi-Classical Pop R&B EDM Disco Ghazals Rock Qawwali Sufi Devotional
Instruments	Vocal
Labels	T-Series Sony Music Tips Saregama

Sonu Nigam (born 30 July 1973) is a famous Indian playback singer, music director, voice actor, and actor. He is known for his amazing voice and can sing many different types of songs. His music ranges from romantic and classical to pop and rock. Many people consider him one of the greatest singers in Indian music history.

Sonu Nigam mainly sings in Hindi and Kannada films. He has recorded over 6,000 songs in more than 32 languages. He has also released his own music albums and acted in some Hindi movies. Sonu Nigam has won many awards, including a National Film Award and several Filmfare Awards. In 2022, he received the Padma Shri, which is one of India's highest civilian awards.

People often call Sonu Nigam the "Modern Rafi" because he is inspired by the legendary singer Mohammad Rafi. Besides Hindi and Kannada, he has sung in many other languages like Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, and English. He has also released pop albums and devotional songs. Sonu Nigam has performed concerts all over the world.

Early life and family

Nigam and his wife Madhurima in 2017

Sonu Kumar Nigam was born on July 30, 1973, in Faridabad, Haryana. His father, Agam Kumar Nigam, and mother, Shobha Nigam, were both musical. He has two sisters, Meenal Nigam and Teesha Nigam, who is also a singer.

Sonu started singing when he was just four years old. He would join his father on stage to sing songs, including one by his idol, Mohammed Rafi. He often performed with his father at weddings and parties. When he was 19, he moved to Mumbai to start his singing career in Bollywood. He learned classical music from the famous singer Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan.

Sonu Nigam is a Hindu. He married Madhurima Mishra on February 15, 2002. They have one son together. For a short time, he changed his name to Sonu Niigaam for good luck, but later went back to his birth name.

Music career

Starting out in the 1990s

Sonu Nigam's first song was for a movie called Janam in 1990, but the movie was never released. He began his career with a song for a TV show called Talash in 1992. His first film song was "O Aasmanwale" from Aaja Meri Jaan in 1993. In 1992, he released his first album, Rafi Ki Yaadein, which was a collection of songs by Mohammed Rafi.

He then sang in many films throughout the 1990s. In 1995, he became the host of the popular TV music show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. His song "Accha Sila Diya" from the film Bewafa Sanam became very successful. In 1997, he sang the patriotic song "Sandese Aate Hai" from Border and "Yeh Dil Deewana" from Pardes. Both songs were huge hits.

Some other popular songs from this time include "Zindagi Maut na Ban Jaye" from Sarfarosh (1999) and "Ishq Bina" from Taal. His album Deewana, released in 1999, was also very popular.

Success in the 2000s

Nigam performing in 2012

The 2000s were a very successful time for Sonu Nigam. He sang many hit songs like "Suraj Hua Maddham" from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... and "Tanhayee" from Dil Chahta Hai. In 2002, he won his first Filmfare Award for the song "Saathiya" from the film Saathiya.

His biggest hit during this period was "Kal Ho Naa Ho" from the movie of the same name (2003). This song won him his only National Film Award and another Filmfare Award.

From 2004 onwards, he continued to sing many popular songs. These include "Main Hoon Na" from Main Hoon Na, "Do Pal" from Veer-Zaara (with Lata Mangeshkar), and "Pyar Ki Ek Kahani" from Krrish. He also sang "Dekho Na" and "Mere Haath Mein" from Fanaa. His songs "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" and "Tumhi Dekho Naa" from Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) were also very successful.

Sonu Nigam was also a main singer in the film 3 Idiots, singing "Jaane Nahin Denge Tujhe" and "Aal Izz Well". In 2008, he released Rafi Resurrected, an album of Rafi's songs with the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. He also wrote lyrics and directed music for his album Chanda Ki Doli.

He performed in many concerts and tours around the world. In 2007, he became the first Indian singer to do solo concerts in Canada and Germany. He also sang at Harvard University in 2007.

2010s and recent work

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, including the Global Indian Music Academy Award for Best Live Performer.

In 2011, Sonu Nigam worked with international artists. He collaborated with Britney Spears on a remix of her song "I Wanna Go". He also worked with Michael Jackson's brother Jermaine Jackson on a tribute song called "This Is It". In 2012, he collaborated with DJ Avicii on "Indian Levels".

Between 2012 and 2015, some of Sonu's songs were re-recorded by other singers. This happened because he was fighting for singers' rights to royalties. He said he wasn't afraid of losing work because he believed things would get better. In 2012, his song "Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin" from Agneepath was a huge hit and won him many awards. He considers this one of his best songs.

Sonu Nigam also started composing music for films. He composed for Singh Saab The Great (2013), Sooper Se Ooper, and Jal. In 2013, he was ranked the Number 1 artist on the US Billboard Uncharted charts twice. He sang two popular 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 Nigam collaborated with musicians worldwide for the "Imagine (UNICEF: World Version)" project. In 2016, he released his single "Crazy Dil" and worked with the Transgender band "6 Pack Band" for the song 'Sab Rab De Bande'.

In 2017, he collaborated with Indian-American DJ kshmr on the song 'Underwater'. His independent song "Aye Jahaan Aasmaan" with Shreya Ghoshal won an award. He also sang with cricketer Sachin Tendulkar for his debut single "Sachin's Cricket Wali Beat".

In 2018, Sonu collaborated with American Rapper MC Yogi for "Hall Of Fame". He sang popular songs like "Main Badhiya Tu Bhi Badhiya" from Sanju and "Kulfi" from 102 Not Out. He also sang a remake of "Badan Pe Sitare" as a tribute to Mohammad Rafi for the film Fanney Khan. Sonu Nigam also sings songs for social causes, like "Tik Tik Plastic" to promote saying no to plastic.

In 2021, Sonu Nigam toured the United Kingdom with his show "Rafi Kishore aur Main". He sang his own songs and classics by Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi. He also became the first Indian singer to launch an NFT series, which included his English song 'Hall of Fame'.

Sonu Nigam is currently a main teacher for the Hindi Film Singing course at Artium Academy, an online music school.

'I Believe Music' Label

On his 47th birthday, July 30, 2020, Sonu Nigam started his own music company called 'I Believe Music'. The first song released under his new label was "Rudhrashtakam".

Kannada film songs

Nigam performing live 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" and "Titanic Heroine Nee Nanna Cheluve". The 2006 film Mungaru Male became very famous, especially in Karnataka, partly because of his songs "Mungaru Maleye" and "Anisuthide".

Sonu Nigam has said that he finds singing Kannada songs very rewarding. He told Deccan Herald that "Kannada songs make me feel positive" and that he considers Bangalore his second home. He even sings Kannada songs when performing in other countries.

Sonu Nigam at a Peace Rally in Mumbai in 2011

He also recorded a Kannada album called Neene Bari Neene. Sonu Nigam composed a theme song for the Karnataka Bulldozers cricket team and sang it with other artists.

Other work

As a host and judge

Sonu Nigam was the host of the music show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa from 1995 to 1999, which 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, he hosted the TV show Kisme Kitna Hai Dum. He was a judge on Indian Idol for its first two seasons (2004-2006) and appeared as a celebrity judge in later seasons.

In 2006, he hosted a radio show called Life Ki Dhun with Sonu Nigaam, where he interviewed other musicians. He also judged STAR Voice of India and X Factor (India). In 2015, he appeared on "The Anupam Kher Show" to share his life story. He was also a judge on Indian Idol season 9 (2016–2017).

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

Singing style and influence

Sonu Nigam at an event in 2012.

Sonu Nigam is known as one of the most versatile singers in Indian music. Many sources, including Forbes India and Radio Mirchi, have recognized his amazing versatility. He is often called the "Lord of Chords" in the Indian music industry.

Times of India has said that Nigam is one of the best live performers in India. He is often compared to Mohammed Rafi because their voices sound similar. The legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar said she likes Sonu Nigam best among modern singers because he is serious about music and sings with confidence.

Many other famous 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 Sonu Nigam's versatility is unmatched. 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 in 2005.

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

Sonu Nigam has won many awards for his singing. These include India's fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, one National Award, two Filmfare Awards, and two Filmfare Awards South. He has been nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer seventeen times. He has also won the IIFA Award four times.

In 2014, he received an Oscar Academy Awards nomination for the soundtrack of the film Jal, which he composed with Bickram Ghosh. He was ranked the Number 1 artist on the US Billboard Uncharted charts twice in 2013.

Here are some of his notable awards:

• 1997 – Sansui Viewers' Choice Award for Best Male Singer for "Sandese Aate Hai" from Border
• 1998 – Zee Cine Award for Best Playback Singer – Male 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
• 2004 – International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) Best Male Playback Award for "Kal Ho Naa Ho"
• 2008 – Filmfare Awards South, Kannada, Best Male Playback Singer for Ninnindale from Milana
• 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" from Agneepath
• 2015 – Bharat Ratna Ambedkar Award
• 2017 – Haryana Gaurav Samman by Haryana Government
• 2018 – Received a Doctorate from Teerthanker Mahaveer University for his music contributions
• 2020 – Bharat Ratna Dr.B R Ambedkar Award by Government of Maharashtra
• 2021 – Padma Shri
• 2023 – Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award
• 2023 – Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for "Yeshil Tu" from Miss U Mister
• 2024 – CLEF Music Awards Best Male Vocalist (Devotional) for "Ram Siya Ram"

Music director work

Sonu Nigam has also composed music for films.

Acting roles

Sonu Nigam has acted in a few films, mostly as a child artist or in guest roles.

Voice acting work

Sonu Nigam has also lent his voice for dubbing characters in other languages.

Television appearances

Sonu Nigam has been a part of many television shows, both as a host and a judge.

See also

In Spanish: Sonu Niigaam para niños

• List of Indian playback singers