Famous Personalities - Alka Yagnik

Alka Yagnik

Alka Yagnik is one of the most talented singers of Bollywood. She was born to a Gujarati family on the 20th of March in Calcutta (now Kolkata). She comes from a music background. Both her parents were actively involved in classical music. Since the late 1980s, she has been one of the most leading playback singers of the Indian music industry.

Life History

Alka has always been fond of singing. Since young age, music has been her first love. Initially, she thought it to be nothing more than a hobby, but later she realized that if pursued seriously, it can be taken as a profession. When she was six years old, she began singing Bhajans for the Calcutta Radio. From then onwards, she started singing at a professional level.

For establishing her foothold in the field of music, she went to Mumbai. She got her first break, when she was given the assignment for singing a song for the film Payal Ki Jhankaar in 1979. Then, she sang the song "Mere Angene Mein" for the film Laawaris (1981). Her biggest hit was the song Ek Do Teen from the film Tezaab that was released in 1988. The song broke all the records and made her star overnight.

Her voice has been mainly used for the young generation stars. She has done playback singing for many famous actresses like Rakhee, Hema Malini, Farida Jalal, Rekha, Kajol and Preity Zinta. Besides Hindi songs, she has also sung in other languages such as Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Punjabi.

Awards Won

Filmfare Awards (1988, 1993, 1997,1999,2000,2001 and 2004)
National Film Awards (1994 and 1999)
Zee Cine Awards (1999, 2001 and 2007)
Star Screen Awards (1995 and 2000)
International Indian Film Academy (2000 and 2001)
MC Music Awards
BBC: World Music 2003 Awards
MTV Asia Viewers Choice Award

Notable Works of Playback Singing

Umrao Jaan - Salaam, Pooch Rahe Hain
Babul - Gaa Re Mann
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Tumhi Dekho Na
Swades - Saanwariya Saanwariya
Hum Tum - Hum Tum
Mujhse Shaadi Karogi - Laal Dupatta
Kal Ho Naa Ho - Kuch to Hua Hai
Tere Naam - Oodhni
Chalte Chalte - Tauba
Raaz - Aapke Pyaar Mein
Mujhse Dosti Karoge! - Jaane Dil Se
Kasoor - Kitni Bechain Hoke
Dil Chahta Hai - Jaana Kyon
Lajja - Badi Mushkil
Dhadkan - Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Dil Se
Zubeidaa - Mehndi Hai Rachnewali, Hai Na
Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai - Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam - Chand Chupa
Taal - Taal Se
Duplicate - Mere Mehboob Mera Sanam
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai- Kuch Kuch Hota Hai