Udit Narayan

Udit Narayan Jha, known professionally as Udit Narayan, is a Nepalese playback singer whose work appears mainly in Nepali and Hindi films, especially Bollywood. He also sings in several other Indian languages, including Kannada, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Punjabi, Oriya, Assamese and Bengali. He is born in Bhardaha village in Saptari District, Nepal, to Hare Krishna Jha and Bhuwaneshwari Devi.

Early life and training

He begins his singing career in Nepal with Maithili, Bhojpuri, Nepali Bhasa and Bhojpuri folk music for Radio Nepal, where he works as a staff artiste and performs many popular folk and modern songs. His first film playback song is for the Nepali film Sindur, a duet with Sushma Shrestha, later known in Hindi cinema as Poornima. After eight years in that role, he receives a scholarship from the Indian embassy to study classical music at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Bombay. He moves to Mumbai in 1978 and trains in Indian classical music there for six years.

Hindi film career

His first break in Hindi cinema comes in 1980 when Rajesh Roshan asks him to sing for Unees Bees, where he also sings with Mohammed Rafi. His wider success begins with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak in 1988, which brings him a Filmfare Award and establishes him as a leading playback singer. He then sings extensively for major Hindi film composers and directors, including Anu Malik, Jatin-Lalit, A. R. Rahman, Nadeem-Shravan, Rajesh Roshan and Shankar Mahadevan, and for filmmakers such as Yash Chopra, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Karan Johar.

He is strongly associated with songs for Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, and his work with Shah Rukh Khan includes songs for Darr, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dil To Pagal Hai, Mohabbatein, Swades, Veer Zaara and Don: The Chase Begins Again. His songs listed in the input include Papa Kehte Hain, Ae Mere Humsafar, Mera Dil Tere Liye, Mujhe Neend Na Aaye, Humne Ghar Chhoda Hai, Koyal Si Teri Boli, Dhak Dhak Karne Laga, Pehla Nasha, Jadu Teri Nazar, Phoolon Sa Chehra Tera, Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast, Mehndi Lagake Rakhna, Ho Gaya Hai Tujhko, Ruk Ja O Dil Deewane, Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya, Kya Kare Kya Na Kare, Pardesi Pardesi, Aaye Ho Mere Zindagi Mein, Ho Nahin Sakta, Meri Sason Mein Basa Hai, Ghar Se Nikalte Hi, Jadoo Bhari Aankhon Wali Suno, Dil To Pagal Hai, Are Re Are, Bholi Si Surat, Dholna, Ae Ajnabi, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Koi Mil Gaya, Ladki Badi Anjani Hai, Yeh Ladka Hai Deewana, Chand Chupa, Taal Se Taal Mila, Mera Mann, Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Hai Dil Se, Aaja Mahiya, Mitwaa, O Rey Chhori, Radha Kaise Na Jale, Udhja Kaale Kawwa, Jaane Kyon, Woh Chand Jaisi Ladki, Tere Naam, Idhar Chala Main Udhar Chala, Main Yahan Hoon, Aisa Des Hai Mera, Yeh Hum Aa Gaye Hain Kahan, Yeh Tara Woh Tara and Khaike Paan Banaraswala.

Work in Nepal and other languages

In Nepal, he becomes a well-known figure and sings in many popular Nepali films, including low-budget productions modelled on Bollywood styles, often for composer Shambhujeet Baskota. He also acts in Nepali films such as Kusume Rumal and Pirati, though with limited success. His voice is also used in Kannada, Oriya, Tamil and Malayalam songs, where he is noted for his distinctive accent.

Albums, awards and recognition

In 2004, he releases his first private Nepali album, Upahaar, which includes duet songs with his wife Deepa Jha and becomes a major selling album. For that album, he wins Hits FM Awards in the categories of Record of the Year and Album of the Year. He receives three National Film Awards and five Filmfare Awards. His National Film Award wins include songs such as Mitwaa from Lagaan, Chhote Chhote Sapne from Zindagi Khoobsurat Hai and Yeh Tara Woh Tara from Swades. He also wins the Prabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu from King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev in Nepal and the Padma Shri from the Government of India in 2009.

Personal life

He marries Deepa Narayan in 1985; she is a Nepali singer and the pair also record the album Dil Deewana together. Their son, Aditya Narayan, works as a child singer in Hindi films and appears as a child actor in Pardes, Rangeela and Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai.