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Hello everyone..!! How are you all?? Hope you all are doing fine, guess everyone's safe at home, enjoying your quarantine days!! Like every month, here's the "Nextoctaveditz" with one more fantastic artist. Last month it was Shreya Ghoshal, the India's favorite female singer, now I thought why not an article attributed to India's favorite male singer! Guess who- he's the legend- 'Padma Bhushan' Shri. Udit Narayan.
Not even there is a single Indian music enthusiast who hasn't heard about him, Udit Narayanji the synonym of music defines his prowess through his extremely successful career spanning more than 50 years. This 64 year old Nepali-Indian singer has attained Pan-Indian status by early 90's itself. His successful domination over Bollywood songs made him stand one among the league after the great Kishore Kumarji & Rafi Saahab. Narayan though initially struggled singing along with the biggies like Mukeshji, Rafi Saahab & Kishore Dada, in-spite of the tough competition he tried making a mark with his peculiar voice which is really talked about being inimitable. May be his success should be credited for that conspicuous voice, which literally made whole Indian music industry to embrace on his voice.
Narayan though had tough times at beginning even after his debut in late 70's & early 80's, it nearly took 14-15 years for him to showcase that he was capable of singing any kind. Narayan's initial works in films like Unnees Bees, Bade Dil, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak etc earned him lot of fame. Uditji was claimed for false usage of citizenship, reports flooded questioning his origin (Nepali or Indian), after so much of hustle & bustle Narayan confirmed that he is a half Indian & half Nepali. There even emerged controversies about his dual marriages, yet deciphered later. Like a life has the tinges of every taste, Uditji too had to face so many hurdles, yet uttering his name, anyone just recollects his ever smiling face and his romantic voice.
Narayan, a very successful singer who had sung to legends like Amitab Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor to Sharukh Khan to Salman Khan & till the latest Siddharth Malhotra & Varun Dhawan, working along with music directors like Laxmikanth- Pyarelaal to R. D. Burman to A. R. Rahman to Vishal & Shekhar, singing along with legendary Md. Rafi, Lataji, Ashaji to Alka Yagnik to Kavitha Krishnamoorthy to Shreya Ghoshal to Neha Kakar & singing in Hindi to Nepali to Tamil & Telugu, showcased that he is a legend, he can just make everyone fall for his voice irrespective of language & origin.
This 4 time National Award winner & 5 times Filmfare Award winner has even won Padma Shree in 2005 & Padma Bhushan in 2016. He has too many achievements to his credit that take an entire article to be discussed about. How grateful are we to listen to such legend!!
Uditji, is a legend, his voice is just beyond description, his expressions are too excellent to be talked about atleast. What can we speak about such prolific singer, so have a look at this.
12 songs that will really take back to the 90's era, where Uditji was the king & his voice was the edict in the dynasty of music.
01. Pyaar Kar
Movie: Dil Toh Pagal Hai- 1997
Music: Uttam Singh
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Language: Hindi
Language: Hindi
Co- Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
This album "Dil Toh Pagal Hai' had the record number of sales in that year which was termed to be highest in Bollywood industry itself, it sold nearly 12.5 million copies!!This album featured 11 songs, out of which Narayan got to sing 7. Every song in the album is a gem. They remain cult classics till date. This song, Lataji's rendition, Anand Bakshi's lyrics- match made in heaven. Uditji always told that his favorite singer is the legendary Lataji, then think about the magic that cast over their splendid duo.The song having lines sung by Narayan like- "PyaarKar ahahaha pyaar kar" literally craves everyone to start making love!! I literally have nothing to speak about this masterpiece, just enjoy the gist of the track.
02. Paapa Kehte Hai
Movie: Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak- 1987
Music: Anand Milind
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultaanpuri
Language: Hindi
May be the foremost song of Narayan which helped him to rise into fame. This tragic film had it's own ways to narrate the story-line in the most unique way as possible. This song always makes me wonder why should the protagonist be too sad at the beginning of the film itself singing about philosophy during his graduation day, eventually at the end one begins to understand what is what.
The phrases " पापा कहते है बड़ा नाम करेगा मगर ये तोह कोई नहीं जाने मेरे मंज़िल है कहा ", just this single phrase speaks about the entire film, how well the lyrics are penned, bowing to the lyricist. Aamir Khan's innocence & his wonderful chemistry with Juhi Chawla is sung in the voice of Udit in this film. His voice just knows how to elevate the tracks, I guess he willnt' even try to sing, coz just his excellent texture & style of rendering solely brings in the flavor to the tracks. Let this ever smiling singer live for ages to come & enthrall us with his songs.
03. Jaadoo Teri Nazar
Movie: Darr- 1993
Music: Shiv- Hari
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Language: Hindi
Tell me, who would have just forgotten Sharukh's superb screen presence & his most haunted dialogue "Kiran Kiran" in that husky tone? Probably none. Similarly there is no fan of Sharukhji who would have forgotten Udit's voice, coz they say they are indebted to him for these wonderful songs. One in the fullness of time will sing, "Jaadoo teri aawaaz"!! Nothing more to be spoken, thank you Uditji for happening to us.
04. Yeh Pyaar Mein Kyun
Movie: Tere Naam- 2003
Music: Himesh Reshammiya
Lyrics: Sameer
Language: Hindi
Such pathetic song, which always wets my eyes, may be his voice or the film, don't know but has that strange melancholy. Like I have been saying, even when Uditji just sings anything, it's always like smiling, but I sincerely don't know what effort he puts in to bring in such deep expression. I always think that he is the SPB of north, any genre any kind his voice just suits to the T. Moreover, his lilting expression elevates the track to a completely different altitude. If you haven't heard to this masterpiece just make sure you do it now.
05. Mitwaa
Movie: Lagaan- 2001
Music: A. R. Rahman
Lyrics: Javeed Akhtar
Language: Hindi
Co- Singers: Shukwinder Singh, Srinivas & Alka Yagnik
Rahman ji always said it, if at all he had to make something new, he always choose different shades of voices & his preferences are always Chitraji, Lataji & Uditji, he says that when they sing his song, it's no more called his song, but it becomes their song from then. Likewise, inspite of so many singers singing this track, Uditji won the national award for this track, then imagine how well he has sung this. Dont' say that you have never listened to this, if you really say that!! Then don't consider yourself as an Indian music buff. Rahman & Udit Narayan- the blissful feeling knew no bounds. Their combo makes sure that you experience adrenaline rush.
06. Koi Mil Gaya
Movie: Koi Mil Gaya-2003
Music: Rajesh Roshan
Lyrics: Dev Kohili
Language: Hindi
Co- Singer: K. S. Chitra
This film, almost the very initial film that I saw in hindi & surely makes all the 21st century kids go bonkers about it, I remember the days where we ran to the CD shops to rent this film!! 'Nostalgic' !! In addition to that, this song has a special fan-base. Udit ji himself fills up the song, but to everyone's surprise the southern sensation "Chitra" is drawn on to the board, & she just makes the listeners go insane with her astounding vocals. This combo deserves a standing ovation. OK, now don't blame me for reminding you all about your childhood memories!!
07. Emaindi Ee Vela
Movie: Aadavaari Maatalaku Ardhaale Verule- 2006
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Lyrics: Kulasekhar
Language: Telugu
Udit Narayan, the king of versatility, even has tried his hand in singing southern songs too & proved to be extremely triumphant. This is my most favorite songs of him sung in Telugu. I dont' know what magic is hidden in this song, it takes us to trans till the song ends & feels like ending so soon. Yuvan Shankar the heir of legend Ilaiyaraaja, carries his legacy forward. This track appears a bit slow, but when involved you may not get out of it's trap. Listen to it if you did'nt & thank me later.
08. Vaamma Duraiyamma
Movie: Madrassapattinam- 2010
Music: G. V. Prakash Kumar
Lyrics: Na. Muthukumar
Language: Tamil
If you are given a chance to compose a retro melody & the backdrop is a school-day's song, protagonist singing about his city & the actress is listening to his song who is a Britain heiress by birth, then what would be the best way other than drawing in Uditji to render the song. He is ageless, his voice can just fold accordingly, like I told he can match his voice to the great Rajinikanth or the young Dhanush with ease. This song falls into the similar pattern & really enjoy the cute little whispering kind words uttered by Amy Jackson & Udit Narayan singing in Tamil. A great song indeed.
09. Yuhi Chala Chal Raahi
Movie: Swades- 2004
Music: A. R. Rahman
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Language: Hindi
Co- Singers: Hariharan & Khailash Kher
One more melody under Rahmanji's composition & Udit Narayan bracing it with his tone. How lovely it is to listen to three different shades of voices in one song, the melodious Hariharan, rusty Khailash Kher & the bold Uditji's voice- what a combo & what a thought!! Only Rahman things. This film featured some other songs of Uditji, which fetched him his third national award. But, this song remains my favorite. Javeed Akhtar has a peculiar way of depicting lyrics & Udit Narayan joining the show, results in a houseful concert.
10. Radhe
Movie: Student Of The Year- 2012
Music: Vishal & Shekhar
Lyrics: Anvitta Dutt
Language: Hindi
Co- Singers: Shreya Ghoshal, Vishal & Shekhar
I think there is no one who would'nt have listened to this latest number. This fast beat fusion is an excellent dance number, which rehashed an old song "Daffiliwaalon" sung by Lataji & Md.Rafi Saahab for the screen presence of legendary late Rishi Kapoor & as expected this generation's legend is definitely Uditji, so he is here singing along with the melodious Shreya Ghoshal. I dont have to speak more about this or about the legendary Narayan. ( Sincerely, this is one more attempt remembering the legend 'Rishi Kapoor' who passed away recently. Rishiji 🙏, you'll be missed & bollywood looses a legendary actor )
11. Chalo Chalein Mitwa
Movie: Naayak- 2002
Music: A. R. Rahman
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Language: Hindi
Co- Singer: Kavitha Krishnamurthy
A song that always stands in the first place of "Top most melodious songs ever made"!! This tamil remake- Naayak starring Anil Kapoor & Rani Mukharjee had a huge impact those days, with ARR's music standing out. Though all the tracks were reused from the original version, this song stays in hearts forever. In tamil, Hariharan got the opportunity to sing this extraordinary song & Uditji sang it in hindi. Kavitha Krishnamurthy has a very unique voice & her combo with Narayan was a huge hit. Needlessly every song they sang turned out to be chart busters.
12. Bole Chudiyaan
Movie: Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham- 2003
Music: Jatin- Lalith
Lyrics: Sameer
Language: Hindi
Co- Singers: Sonu Nigam, Amit Kumar, Alka Yagnik & Kavitha Krishnamurthy
In the successful span of this legend, definitely all the female playback singers who sang along with him should also be credited- then such credit goes to Alkaji & Kavithaji. They are just beyond amazing, their peculiar style of singing made their duos absolutely interesting. Then imagine a song with those female singers along with Sonu Nigam, Amit Kumar joining hands with Uditji, this is such an epic song. This bollywood film with intense family drama featuring Amitab Bachchan, Jaya Bahdhuri, Sharukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Kajol, Kareena & Rani is really an epic film ever made. Such film always features the legend's voice- great film, great song & finally we all are blessed to listen to such numbers.
At last, it's just an amazing journey he has been through. Words fall in short & songs go on increase in number to list on. Just one term-
E U P H O R I A . Thank you Udit Narayan Ji!!
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