A seven time winner of Filmfare Awards in the Best Playback Singer Female category, the melodious singer with her sublime voice continues to thrill the listening ears even today.
On Alka Yagnik’s birthday, Saregama remembers the singing sensation of the 1990s.
The golden era of Bollywood music industry was filled with romantic songs. It was only in the 1980s; the disco genre became popular. But the love for it was short lived. By the late 80s and throughout 90s, Hindi romantic songs took over again.
The legends like Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle were still leading names in the industry. It was difficult to make a splash in the music scene during that time. But how long can talent be hidden? The melody queen by the name Alka Yagnik made her way to Bollywood and regaled the audience with her magical renditions.
Alka always had company in the form of music. Born in Kolkata on 20th March 1966 to a Gujarati family; her mother was an Indian classical singer. Hence, she was Alka’s first guru. By the age of 6, she started singing for All India Radio, Calcutta.
While she was still a child, her mother took her to Mumbai for better opportunities. All recognized the singing talent she possessed but advised to wait for her voice to mature. And waiting is what she did.
In the year 1981, the movie Laawaris featured a song by the name – Mere Angane Mei. Sung by Amitabh Bachchan, it was a great old Bollywood song still remembered today. Alka made her debut and sang the female version of it as Rakhee’s voice in the film.
After a gap of 7 years, the first super hit song that made her a national sensation was Ek Do Teen – Tezaab – 1988. The peppy track resonated deeply with the audience and people loved it. Filmed on Madhuri Dixit, it was an instant hit song.
She later sang many amazing songs like Gazab Ka Hai Din, Gawah Hai Chaand Tere, Zindagi Ban Gaye, Sajan Sajan, and many more. You can listen to these songs in Saregama Carvaan.
The honey-voiced singer is known for her popular romantic songs of Bollywood. She ruled the 1990s and won many Filmfare Awards without having any competition.
When we talk about the 1990s, one cannot forget the legends like Kumar Sanu. She gave some of the most memorable songs in the 1990s along with Kumar Sanu.
She worked with the other male singers of the time like Udit Narayan and Sonu Nigam. Also, she worked with the best legendary music directors like Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Later, she collaborated with A.R. Rahman, Jatin-Lalit, Anu Malik and many more composers of that era.
She truly admires Lata Mangeshkar and sees her an inspiration. Recently, she made an admission that she used to imitate Lata ji’s songs as well. Her oeuvre consists of Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu songs. It was incredible of her to sing songs in all these languages.
Even today, she continues to sing melodious tracks in Bollywood.
She has won 7 Filmfare Awards in Best Playback Singer Female category, two National Awards and many more awards and recognition. After Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, she has recorded the most number of female solos in Bollywood history as well.
Time may go on, but Alka Yagnik will always be remembered for those most loved 90s melodies.
A Very Happy Birthday to the Singing Queen of Bollywood – Alka Yagnik.
//www.saregama.com/blog/shashi-kapoor-the-quintessential-charmer-of-bollywoods-golden-era/
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