Allauddin Khan

Indian classical music is blessed with numerous gems. One of the most prominent figures in Indian classical music was Allauddin khan. He was born in 1862 at Shibpur village in Brahmanbaria (located in modern day Bangaldesh) and kept enthralling people with his mesmerizing talent as long as he was alive. He is believed to be one of the greatest musicians Indian people have ever seen. He was primarily a Sarod expert but at the same time, he was equally good at playing other instruments as well. He had a great influence on Maihar gharana of Indian classical music. Allauddin Khan was the court musician of Brijnath Singh, the Maharaja of Maihar Estate in the Central Province.

To his credit, Baba Allauddin Khan gave birth to music stalwarts like Ali Akbar Khan and Annapurna Devi. Other great Indian musicians like Ravi Shankar, Nikhil Banerjee, Vasant Rai, Indranil Bhattacharya, Pannalal Ghosh, Wazir Khan etc took their training in music from baba Khan only. His introduction to music happened courtesy his brother Fakir Aftabuddin. Later on, he learned fine nuances of music from singer Gopal Krishna Bhattacharya.

His interesting life journey took him to another music legend Amritalal Dutt who further finetuned his skills. He also learnt European classical violin from a Mr Lobo. Later on he fell in love with Sarod and decided to study Sarod. He learnt Sarod from Asghar Ali Khan and later on Wazir Khan Beenkar who was among the last direct descendants of the legendary Tansen.

Soon, Baba Allauddin Khan became the court musician of Brijnath Singh and completely transformed the Maihar gharana of Indian classical music. He also set up the Maihar College of Music during the year 1955. Baba was recipient of several prestigious awards including Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 1952, coveted Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India during the years 1958 and 1971 respectively.

Indian Karaoke Music

Indian Karaoke music is quite popular among Indian people. And why only Indian people? It has also got a massive fan following in many other parts of the world. Hindi karaoke songs have been in existence since long and they form an important part of Indian music history. Indian karaoke songs came to the limelight during the decade of the eighties. It was no less than a revolution that completely changed the musical landscape of the country. Earlier, it was more of classical songs based culture that took a definite turn with advent of karaoke music. One distinct element of Hindi karaoke songs is clear influence of Indian folk music. Indian music thrives on different folk traditions and most of them have been used in the mainstream music. This has proved beneficial to both the popularity of folk music as well as karaoke.

Hindi karaoke songs have also been extensively used in Hindi films. The Indian beats have been greatly used with western genres like Hip-Hop and Rap and the output of music comes simply great. Punjabi sounds in particular have been extensively used in music. True fan of Hindi karaoke music must be aware of historical equipment widely used in these songs. The common instruments being used are, Rabab, Kartal, Naggada, Nal, Daf, Dholak, Ektar, Saringda, Santur, Bansuri, Chimpta, Pung, Magadi Vina, and Shankh. These are the traditional instruments and yet they have gained massive recognition in the advanced musical tradition. All in all, the growing popularity of Hindi karaoke music proves that it is here to stay and flourish.

Famous Songs by Mukesh

Indian music industry has produced several jewels. One of shining names in the glorious list of Hindi playback singers is Mukesh. His unique voice was enough to make an entire generation tune to his songs. He was the leading voice of many top class bollywood actors; foremost among them was showman Raj Kapoor. We are going to give you some of memorable songs sung by Mukesh in his heydays.

• Itna Husn Pe Guroor
• Pyar Ka Ye Mahurat
• Dekh Sakte Nahi
• Hindustan Hamara
• Chaand Si Mehbooba Ho Meri
• Bina Badra Ke Bijuria
• Baharo Ne Kiya
• Ek Hasrat Thi Ke
• Ek Din Bik Jaayega
• E-Dil-E Awara Chal
• Jinhe Hum Bhulana Chahe
• Main Aashique Hu Baharon Ka
• Kisi Ki Muskarahato Pe
• Dost Dost Na Raha
• Jo Pyar Tumne
• Chand Si Mehbooba
• Meri Tamannaoki Taqdir
• Taro Main Sajke
• Kabhi Kabhi
• Chand Ko Kya Maloom
• Zuban Pe Dard Bhari
• Jane Kahan Gaye Woh
• Tauba Ye Matwali
• Koi Jab Tumhara
• Jane Chale Jaate
• Laut Ke Aaja Mere Meet
• Barkha Rani
• Jo Tumko Ho Pasand
• Chal Akela
• Sajnwa Bairi Ho Gaye
• Deewano Se Mat Poocho
• Chand Ki Deewar
• Do Phool Khile
• Dheere Chalo
• Aansoo Bhari Hain
• Aawara Hoon
• Baharoein Ne Mera Chaman Lootkar
• Bhooli Hui Yaadoein
• Bol Radha Bol Sangam Hoga Ke Nahi
• Chod Gaye Baalam
• Duniya Banane Wale
• Haan Deewana Hoon Main
• Hum Us Des Ke Vasi Hain
• Hum Tumse Mohabbat Karke Sanam
• Humne Apna Sab Kuch Khoya
• Jaoon Kahan Bataye Dil
• Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan
• Jhoom Jhoom Ke Nacho Aaj
• Jo Pyar Tune
• Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe
• Aa Laut Ke Aaja Mere Meet
• Main Aashiq Hoon
• Mujhko Yaro Maaf Karna
• Mere Toote Hue Dil Se
• Mujhe Tumse Kuch Bhi Na Chahiye
• Mujhko Is Raat Ki Tanhayee Main
• Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo
• Saranga Teri Yaad Mein
• Teri Yaad Dil Se
• Zindagi Khwaab Ha

Bhojpuri Songs

All the regions in India thrive on their songs in the native languages. India is a country with numerous languages and even more dialects. That explains why in India the culture of folk and tribal music has kept on thriving since centuries. One of the popular regional dialects is Bhojpuri which is basically a regional dialect of Hindi. Bhojpuri is spoken in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the Hindi heartlands of India. From the days of obscurity, Bhojpuri has traveled a long way. It has kept enhancing its popularity in recent times. Bhojpuri songs and movies have found their way into Bollywood as well. Little known Bhojpuri stars are getting good opportunities in Hindi movies as well.

Bhojpuri is a dialect of Hindi and is based on Devnagri script. The growing popularity of Bhojpuri songs has greatly encouraged the young talented folks from Hindi heartland to try their luck in Indian music industry. Bhojpuri songs are becoming popular across few countries as well. Nations like Fiji and Mauritius have large numbers of Bhojpuri speaking population and that explains why these songs are so popular across the boundaries.

Some of the notable singers of Bhojpuri songs are Manoj Tiwari, Sharda Sinha etc. The former one has reigned supreme in Bhojpuri music as well as film industry. He has also churned out several blockbuster albums. Sharda Sinha is a veteran in Bhojpuri music industry. She is hugely popular and has also sung for Hindi movies. One of the recent emergences is Guddu Rangila who has done some great works apart from making funny videos.

Anu Malik

Born on 2nd November, 1960, Anu Malik is the son of veteran music composer Sardar Malik. He is known for belting one hit after another in bollywood films. He has given long list of hit music in numerous Hindi movies. He is one of the few music directors from india who has worked in crossover films and his song has also been included in foreign movies. He has worked in Bride and Prejudice and his song ‘Chamma Chamma’ from the movie ‘China Gate’ was included in the famous English movie Moulin Rouge. Anu Malik Debuted in 1981 with a movie named Poonam. That was followed by some hit movies like ‘Sohni Mahiwal’, Mard, Jaal, Mujrim and Ganga Jamuna Saraswati. Yet he had to wait for some time before he could make it to big league.

Anu Malik’s moment of truth came in 1993 with the movie Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Ayee. That brought him huge success and recognition. This hit movie was further followed by several hits including Jaanam, Sir, and Baazigar. He had made it to the top league. He also experimented with different kind of music in movies like Border, Aks, Fiza, and Mujhe Kuch Kehena hai. He has also launched few private albums.

To his credit, Anu Malik has won several awards including The National Film Award for Best Music Direction for the film Refugee in 2001. He has also won Filmfare Best Music Director two times for Baazigar (1993) and Main Hoon Na (2004) and Baazigar (1993). He further got the Special Jury Award (Filmfare) for his outstanding contribution in music.

Some of his recent releases were Kambakkht ishq, Ugly Aur Pagli, Toonpur Ka Superhero, Victory, 7 Days in Slow Motion and Maan Gaye Mughall-E-Azam.

Ananda Shankar

Born on 11th December 1942 in the Almora, Uttar Pradesh, Ananda Shankar is renowned in the amazing world of Indian music. Music ran in his blood as can be made out from his relationship with legendary sitarist Pandit Ravi Shankar. He was nephew of the great musician and his parents were Amala and Uday Shankar, famous classical dancers. What brought him fame was his expertise at mixing eastern music styles with western music. His popularity can be gauged from the fact that he worked with several great music personalities including Jimi Hendrix.

He learned instrument from Dr Lalmani Misra of Varanasi. He brought fame to country and himself when he started to travel to western countries in late 1960s. His first album was released in 1970. The album was success because of its unique mixture of Indian classical compositions and sitar based popular western hit songs. His return to India after the huge success of his first album saw him experimenting with music even more vigorously. His next album was ‘Ananda Shankar And His Music’ that again proved to be runaway hit both critically and commercially. The USP of his album was mixing the sounds of an array of instruments including guitar, table, drums, sitar, mridangam and moog synthesizers.

1990s witnessed a complete new avatar of Sharma’s music. His music became a big hit in nightclubs of London. He kept reinventing and experimenting with music and made tours to different countries. Ananda Sharma died on 26 March 1999 but his contribution will always be remembered.

Alka Yagnik

Indian music industry is blessed with several amazing musical talents. Different eras have given us numerous gems that have made public cry and laugh with them. The old generation still can’t think of any other singers than the likes of Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar or Mukesh etc. current generation has its own choices. But one singer who has continued to hold sway with her extremely melodious voice is Alka Yagnik. She is present in the industry for more than two decades and continues to enchant us with her wonderful voice.

Who can forget songs like Saanwariya Saanwariya, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Tumhi Dekho Na, Kuch to Hua Hai, Salaam, Pooch Rahe Hain, Mere Mehboob Mera Sanam, Ek Do Teen, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Hum Tum, Laal Dupatta, Oodhni, Tauba, Kitni Bechain Hoke, Jaana Kyon, Badi Mushkil, Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Dil Se, Mehndi Hai Rachnewali, Chand Chupa and Taal Se etc.

Alka Yagnik belongs to a family of musicians. She showed her talents at an early age and even sang Bhajans for the Calcutta Radio at a tender age of six years. She got her first break in the movie Payal Ki Jhankaar in 1979. But her real moment of truth came with blockbuster song ‘Ek Do Teen’ from the film Tezaab 1988. Since then she never looked back and kept giving one hit after another. She has also sung in several other languages like Marathi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Punjabi. Alka Yagnik has won several Filmfare Awards, National Film Awards, Zee Cine Awards, Star Screen Awards, International Indian Film Academy and MTV Asia Viewers Choice Award.