Music is the only medicine which can ease our soul and mind. It has a language of its own and a gifted musician has the capability to touch the hearts of millions of people. Alka Yagnik is one of the few souls on earth who has been empowered with the beautiful gift of music. She has dedicated her entire life to the Indian music fraternity.
EARLY LIFE
Alka Yagnik was born in Kolkata, West Bengal on 20th March, 1966. She was the only daughter of Shubha Yagnik who was a very renowned classical musician. She went to Modern High School for Girls for her schooling and it was there where her she won several certificates for her melodious voice. When she was 6, she was given the opportunity to sing for All India Radio which was extremely prestigious. Later on when she became 10, she was sent to Bombay as a child singer. Though she was exceptionally gifted, her advisor asked her to wait until her voice became mature. Raj Kapoor, one of the finest Indian actors sent her a letter through his Kolkata distributor and subsequently when he heard her voice, he was amazed. He was thoroughly impressed by her and sent her to the famous director Laxmikant. Even he was highly astonished and gave her two options. Either she would start immediately as a dubbing artist or later emerge as a singer.
CAREER
Alka’s began her first step towards her singing career at the age of 6, in All India Radio where she sang bhajans for the masses. When she was first introduced to the Indian music industry she sang for the film ‘Payal Ki Jhanakr’ in 1979. This was a major turning point of her life, because from here only she received several offers to sing for various films such as ‘Tezaab’ , ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’(1989) etc. Alka Yagnik did not only flourish in Hindi songs but she made a great contribution in Gujarati, Oriya, Tamil, Punjabi, Bengali, Rajasthani songs which she sang from all her heart. She has performed playback singing for several actresses ranging from Hema Malini to Preity Zinta. She was also given the great honor to judge various singing completion shows, the most famous ones being are ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ and ‘Star Voice of India’. Her famous song ‘chamma chamma” from the film China gate (1998)had touched the hearts of not only Indians but also people around the world. She also excels in performing live concerts. She has worked with several renowned people in the industry like Javed Akhtar, A.R,Rahman, Shankar –Ehsaan-Loy, Viju Shah, Sajid Wajid etc. she has dedicated more than 30 years of her life to Indian cinema and in today’s world is recognized as one of the finest Playback singers in the world.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS
If we talk about her achievements then the list has no end. She has won 7 Film fare awards in the year 1988, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2004. Two National awards credit her in the years 1994 and 1999. She also holds three Zee Cine awards in the year 1999, 2001 and 2007. Two Star Screen awards also go into her account in the year 1995 and 2000. Last but not the least she won two prestigious International Indian Film Academy awards in the year 2000 and 2001. The biggest reward which she could ever receive was the National Literacy Mission of India felicitated by the Union Minister for Resource Development for singing a song “shiksha ka suruaj” in collaboration with Sonu Nigam. She was honored with the best song of the century “Taal Se Taal Mila” award.
NOTABLE WORKS
“Ek Do Teen” from the movie ‘Tezaab’ (1988) ruled the box office and offered her the ticket to stardom. Her notable works include “Salaam, Pooch Rahe hai” from the famous film “Umrao Jaan, the title track of “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna”(2006), “Mehendi hai Rachne Waali” from the renowned cinema “Zubeida”(2001) , “Chand Chupa” from “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam” (1999), “Kuch to hua hai” from “Kal Ho Naa Ho”(2003) and the list goes on.
CONCLUSION
Alka Yagnik has not only contributed to Hindi cinema but is also a legend. Her work is beautiful and it will be a source of gift for the coming generation. Her love and passion for music is clearly depicted in the work. Apart from singing she also is a social worker. She has made tremendous effort in the empowerment of the girl child. Her voice is not meant only for singing but also revolting against injustice. The respect and honor which she has received truly deserves. Her hard work and dedication has led her to stardom. There’s a magic in her voice which every individual feels and appreciates. Without her the cinema industry would be incomplete and the world would miss out on something extremely valuable.