SONU NIGAM'S MESSAGE !!

To all the fans of Vijay's blog, a very happy Christmas and a great new year to u. Keep blessing and supporting genuine music and genuine music lovers.. Lots of love and prayers. Sonu Niigaam 18/12/09
"I know now Oh Lord, how much You love me, after I see my own self love my son !" (Sonu Niigaam (080708 0830am IST, Bangkok, Millionaire Hilton, room 2328)

Namaste, Salaam, Sat Shri Akaal & Welcome !!

Latest News !! Music now released !! Breaking News (Mumbai Mirror) (Music Out Now) (Simpallaag Ond Love Story) (Music Out Now) (Zila Ghaziabad) (Music Out Now) (8.20) (Malayalam Movie) (Bloody Isshq)(Music Out Now) (Saare Jahaan Se Mehnga - Music Out Now!) (Sonu Nigam's 'Vayuputras' Now Released!) (Chashme Baddoor - Music Out Now!) (I Love NY - Music Out Now) (Shootout At Wadala - Music Out Now) (Ale - Music Out Now) (Bulbul - Music Out Now) (Rangeelay (Punjabi OST)- Music Out Now) (Kaddipudi - Music Out Now) (Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 - Music Out Now)

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SONU NIGAM AT EVENTS

SONU NIGAM AT EVENTS
Sonu Nigam At Ajmer Sharif 12-04-13

Saturday 31 July 2010

Sonu Niigaam - Tu Hi Ton Mera Dost Hai !!


Friends are a blessing. And those who have true ones, know just how special they are. So while each one of us has had their shares of happy, sad and memorable moments with friends in school, college and workplace, wonder what kind of friends and friendship our B’wood celebs share.

And they have genuine ones too, stars share with us on this Friendship’s Day ...

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Together, we laugh like kids: Sonu Niigaam
...but none of these friends of Sonu are from Bollywood. “For I believe friends are those who know you in and out, ones who are there from your childhood. So it’s my group of friends from school who continue to remain by best friends till date,” says Sonu. And they are “Kailash Chandani, who’s a friend from Std IX, Chintan Agarwal from Std X, Anurag Nigam, who’s a cousin but is more like my buddy, and Sanjay Chitale, a friend from New Jersey. My son was born at Sanjay’s place and it’s from then that we have remained friends. And while all, except Sanjay, are in Delhi, we keep in constant touch. And when we meet, it’s like house on fire. All these guys have such a peculiar sense of humour that we just laugh and laugh. What fun it is!” he exclaims.

But when it comes to recalling some special incidents or gestures by friends, it’s Kailash whom he remembers. “I remember how when for the first time I was leaving Delhi for Mumbai and was in a relationship with a girl, how Kailash helped me always. Mine being a conservative family, where even stepping out of the house without permission was not allowed, to have a girl call me was a very big thing. So then Kailash always came to my rescue. He’d come over, request my parents saying that we were going out for some fate or something, lend me his bike and then wait for five-six hours till I was away with her. Now, it’s only friends who’d do so much! I don’t have a real brother but with these guys with me, I’ve never even missed a brother.”

As from B’wood, “I have no best friend as such but I’m closest to Kailash Kher and composer Raju Singh. Like with Kailash, we are very friendly, but we don’t share dirty secrets. Though as much as I’d want to know his, I don’t share mine,” laughs Sonu, coming quickly on Raju Singh, “With Raju, it’s more informal!”

And yet, Sonu confesses, “I need friends but I have consciously strived not to make myself emotionally dependant on neither my family nor friends. That’s not to say, they are not an integral part of my life.”

Read More: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/people/Bwood-dostana/articleshow/6240298.cms

Friday 30 July 2010

UMANG 2010 !!


Event Type: Inter-Collegiate Culture Festival

Organizer and Location: Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics
Vile Parle(west), Mumbai

Dates: 19th Aug to 22th Aug 2010
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About Umang 2010
Umang is hard to define. One word interpreted in so many different ways by different collegians all over India. In the first sense you can call it the intercollegiate cultural youth festival of N.M. College which has snowballed into reaching the summit at which it is today, catering to over a 100 colleges from all over Mumbai and India garnering the love and support of thousands over it’s ten glorious years. Umang organizes a wi de range of events based on different avatars of art as well as PROshows to satiate the entertainment urge of audiences. Umang is not only a festival but also a stage for all kinds of art and expression, a one way ticket to the top giving a chance to students to display their kala in front of the cream of the Industry.Judges like Shabana Azmi, Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan, Arjun Rampal, Sivamani, Dilip Chhabbaria, Isha Koppikar, Maureen Wadia, John Abraham, Javed Akhtar, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and many others have graced Umangs red carpet.Umang over the years has also witnessed performances by various artists like Kailash Kher, Indian Ocean, Strings, KK, Parikrama, Lucky Ali, Shaan, Euphoria and others. Umang is entering into it’s eleventh year and will continue indefinitely to be a part of the lives of students everywhere every year. This year join us from 19th – 22nd August and be a part of the festivities at Umang 2010 – The Ancient Resonance.
Read More: http://collegekhabar.com/events/umang-2010-inter-collegiate-culture-festival-narsee-monjee-college/

That ‘FOREVER’ VOICE' By: Rajiv Vijayakar


Back to Rafi after a break
But when Kumar Sanu as a Kishore clone proved a sensation in 1990, it was a short reprise of Aradhana, as the two “Rafi-ians” lost ground rapidly. Sanu was sharing the Kishore legacy with Abhijeet, Vinod Rathod and Babul Supriyo. In this phase, none of the assorted new Rafi naqals who tried to make their marks - Debashish Dasgupta, Vipin Sachdeva and Mangal Singh - could make it.
But Rafi was so synonymous with Hindi film music that Udit Narayan, a singer with an original voice and style who emulated Rafi’s approach to playback vis-à-vis singing technique, shot past Sanu in 1995, indicating conclusively that short breaks like these reaffirmed the fact that the staple diet could only be Rafi!

Udit’s refined style revived the Rafi culture again in a fresh, original packaging, and the singer reigned till the early millennium when Sonu Niigaam, also a Rafi follower and (out of compulsion) an early clone of Rafi who had done cover version albums of Rafi’s songs for T-Series, overtook Udit! And by the time this happened, all the Kishore followers were on the fadeout run!
Though very choosy today, Sonu is the most respected of the existing big names in playback. Trained classically like Udit, he is still the first choice for the song with depth, come Paheli, Jaan-E-Mann or Parineeta. But even others like Roopkumar Rathod, Sukhwinder Singh and Javed Ali are also treading the Rafi path.

The voice for all time
Sonu Niigaam and Udit Narayan, rightly enough, can be considered the principal beacons of what can be termed the Mohammed Rafi School Of Playback Singing. These trained singers have walked the tightrope between following Rafi’s versatile and unaffected style of singing without imitating the master singer. Till the mid-millennium, composers as varied as Rajesh Roshan, Anu Malik, Nadeem-Shravan, Anand-Milind and Jatin-Lalit and many more music makers gave us innumerable delights that suggested Rafi, recalled Rafi or craved for Rafi in the sense that they seemed to be made for him. What else were scores like Rajesh Roshan’s Koi…Mil Gaya, Anu Malik’s Border and Refugee, Jatin-Lalit’s Sangharsh, Nadeem-Shravan’s Tumse Accha Kaun Hai and Anand-Milind’s Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and even Ismail Darbar’s Deewangee, Sajid-Wajid’s Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Sandesh Shandilya’s Socha Na Tha? And who other than Rafi could be conceived as inspiration for hit songs like Rajesh Roshan’s Ghar se nikalti hi (Papa Kehte Hain), Anu Malik’s title-track from Main Hoon Na or Pritam’s Falak dekhoon (Garam Masala)?
And that is why Rafi is supremely relevant even today. If ever some technology is developed whereby the exact voice of a past artiste can be put on a modern tune, the voice of Mohammed Rafi will dominate as much as it did from the late ’40s to the early ’80s!

And the ground reality is strong enough to motivate thought in that direction. In the last few years alone, dozens of songs across various composers seem tailor-made for Rafi, or give reasonable, if not certain, grounds to suggest that Rafi seems to loom large even in the psyche of the current generation of composers.
So it is a subconscious desire to work with Rafi that makes a Pritam, as late as in fusion-infested 2010, compose the intense Phir mujhe dil beqaraar (Toh Baat Pakki)? What was A.R.Rahman thinking of when he made the almost Naushad-ian Qismat se tum humse mile ho in Pukar and the haunting Do qadam in Meenaxi - A Tale Of Four Cities besides the songs of Jodhaa Akbar like Kehne ko jashn-e-bahaaraa hai? Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s Tanhayee (Dil Chahta Hai) and Kal Ho Naa Ho’s title-track and even Himesh Reshammiya’s Apne to apne hote hain (Apne) all seem in Rafi terrain, whether by intent or default does not matter.
Clearly, Rafi remains perennial in more than just the musical legacy he has left behind. As KK puts it succinctly, “I loved the Mohammed Rafi-like vibe of Dil kyun yeh mera in Kites!”
Read More :
http://www.screenindia.com/news/that-forever-voice/652432/

Planetradiocity Birthday Celebrations For Sonu Niigaam July 2010

Sonu Niigaam Sings For 'Appu Pappu'


Lovely Songs in 'Appu Pappu'
The first applause for any film is given by the songs. It was huge round of applause for national award winning music director Hamsalekha tunes on Wednesday evening after watching the four songs screened by producer Soundarya Jagadish.

Hamsalekha magic continues. The song Aeria Nam Aeria Nin Ellara Kalittiya Thintiya Odhe….shot on Master Snehith and hundreds of children is sung by Aishwarya, Sachin, Subramanya, Govinda, Usha, Hiranmai and Sanjana. This is a racy song.

Appa Appa amma Ellappa…. Sung by Hemanth and Aishwarya shot on father and son (Abbas and Master Snehith) is captured on exotic locations. The young son asking why you have left mother is crux of the song.

The song Makkaligaagi marugadha Jeeva Lokadalli Untenu….
sung by Sonu Niigaam with very good melody, Aih Appu Manushyane Monkey Kano….on Orangutan and Master Snehith is sung in husky voice. The song on lord Hanuman Anjaneya….is sung by Hemanth and chorus and repeat song is sung by Shanker Mahadevan.

Wednesday 28 July 2010

Sonu Niigaam Sings For 'Karan Johar's We Are Family'


Director : Siddharth P.Malhotra
Cast : Arjun Rampal, Kajol, Kareena Kapoor
Music Director : Shankar Ehsaan Loy
Lyricist : Irshad Kamil, Anvita Dutt Guptan
Cassettes & CDs on : Sony Music







Tracklist:
01 - Hamesha & Forever - Sonu Niigaam, Shreya Ghoshal (04:51)
02 - Dil Khol Ke Let%s Rock - Anushka Manchandani, Akriti Kakkar, Suraj Jagan (03:57)
03 - Reham O Karam - Vishal Dadlani, Shankar Mahadevan (05:47)
04 - Ankhon Mein - Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shreya Ghoshal, Shankar Mahadevan (5:02)
05 - Sun Le Dua Yeh Aasman (Theme Slow Version) - Shankar Mahadevan (03:53)
06 - We Are Family (Theme) - Dominique Cerejo, Clinton Cerejo, Neuman Pinto, Vivienne Pocha (02:48)

Bonus Tracks:
07 - Noor E Khuda - Adnan Sami, Shankar Mahadevan, Shreya Ghoshal (06:37)
08 - Aaj Kal Zindagi - Shankar Mahadevan (04:14)
09 - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna - Sonu Niigaam, Alka Yagnik (08:01)
10 - Kal Ho Naa Ho - Sonu Niigaam (05:19)

Sonu Niigaam Sing For The Mega Movie 'Deswa'


I want to give Bhojpuri cinema a facelift,” says Neetu Chandra, who has donned the hat of a producer for the Bhojpuri film, Deswa. “There is so much of vulgarity and violence in Bhojpuri films that the industry is becoming synonymous with only raunchy movies. I want to change all this and reform Bhojpuri cinema by bringing in more sensibility as well as sensitivity,” says the actress.

“Deswa will be a purely commercial film and I intend to take it to all prominent film festivals across the world,” says Neetu, who has launched her production house, Champaran Talkies, with this movie. “We thought of naming it Champaran because that was the place where Gandhiji started his revolution, and we, through this production house are also starting a sort of revolution in Bhojpuri cinema, so it is only apt that we named it Champaran Talkies,” sums up Neetu.

Throwing her weight behind the movie as a producer, Neetu has also roped in the best of the talent from the music industry to sing songs for Deswa. “We have
Sonu Niigaam, Mika and Shreya Ghoshal singing for the movie,” she announces. Having come from a musical background (her mother is a classical music teacher), does she have any plans to take up singing too? “Well, I haven’t got the opportunity to utilise this talent of mine. I’m all game to experiment though!” she says. Why not try it out in her own movie, we asked. “Actually, my brother doesn’t think I’m that good a singer. Apparently he doesn’t even think that I’m that good an actress to act in his movie,” jokes Neetu.

Confident about the success of the music of her film, Neetu says, “Bhojpuri lingo has always been used and appreciated in Bollywood songs. Be it yesteryear’s Khaiyke Paan Banaras Walla from Don or the recent Sapno Mein Aike, Jaike, from the movie Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahani, Bhojpuri ka tadka jis bhi gaane mein lagta hai woh super hit ho jaata hai,” says the actress.

Coming back to her role of being the youth icon of Bihar, Neetu says, “I can’t be a youth icon and not do anything for the state. Actors today are running after Hollywood and crossover movies, but no one is giving a thought to regional cinema. People have forgotten that some of the best movies that India has produced were regional movies directed by the likes of Shyam Benegal and Govind Nehalani.”

Though she says that being Hollywood bound is not a bad thing, but, “I feel that I have a responsibility towards my city and I should do something to promote it. Hence I decided to produce a good quality Bhojpuri film that deals with the issue of migration,” explains Neetu.

“Deswa is a coming-of-age movie about three young boys, and spans over the time period from 2000 to 2010. It explores their journey in search of job from Bihar to other places and then back to Bihar. It was the subject of the movie that lured me to become a producer,” says Neetu. Apart from some established names like Aashish Vidyarthi and Vineet Jha, the movie will also introduce three newcomers.

Tuesday 27 July 2010

Sonu Niigaam's Birthday On Amul Chhote Ustaad !!


It was time for double celebrations on Chhote Ustaad as do deshon ki Awaaz milke sang happy birthday for Sonu Niigaam and Pakistani contestant Fariah as they celebrated their birthdays on 30th & 31st July respectively. It was a one of a kind experience for the Indian & Pakistani kids and the entire unit as they celebrated an Indian and a Pakistani's birthday simultaneously with plenty of singing and merry making on the sets of Chhote Ustaad. Everyone gorged on cakes and other goodies…the double celebrations proved to be the much needed break from all the strenuous riyaz the kids were undergoing.

It's not only the music transcending barriers but also the birthdays on Chhote Ustaad – Do Deshan Ki Ek Aawaz

For further information, please contact:

Star PR Delhi
Mamta Dhingra
Mobile:9818000668
E mail:mamtad@in.startv.com

Sonu Niigaam Ft: On World Music Album !!


Bickram Ghosh talks about his tribute to Tagore with a lounge album

Your world music album with Sonu Niigaam comes as a real surprise
How did the collaboration come about?


Sonubhai and I met for the first time through our mutual friend who facilitated the recording of the song “Dhoondo” for my upcoming score for the Hindi film “Gumshuda”, which Sonu sang. We kept in touch thereafter and found a connection. In a sense we were both looking to expand our horizons. We realised we both wanted to create music which was not dictated by film.

We are about 60 per cent through with the album and I think we are onto a unique sound. We have written the lyrics together. The melodies are by Sonu Nigam and I have created rhythms in cycles ranging from 3.5 beats to nine beats! Heavily experimental, the album still has a strong commercial appeal. International stars like Chaka Khan, Greg Ellis (rhythm scorer for over 70 Hollywood films including the “Matrix” trilogy etc), Lisbeth Scott (singer “Avatar”, “Iron Man” etc) and others are guests on the album.

Read More: http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article534930.ece

Saturday 24 July 2010

Sonu Niigaam - New Look, New Projects !!


Though super singer Sonu Niigaam has been away from public glare for some time, he has never been too far away from controversies. Whether it is a spat with a journalist or getting embroiled in a squabble with Vidhu Vinod Chopra some time ago, he has been getting some share of newsprint off and on.

Donning a new hairstyle, sweet-faced Sonu promises to turn a new leaf now. He is all set to come up with his new album of world music. Also, he will now be seen on television in the role of mentor in the music reality show Amul Chhote Ustad -Do Deshon Ki Ek Awaaz, coming soon on Star Plus.

Speaking at the recent launch of the show in Mumbai, Sonu clears the air about his absence from the industry. “People misheard me. I said that I am not going to do bad work, I was always open to good work. People like Shankar Mahadevan, Vishal-Shekhar and Pritam never offered me work. In the industry cinema has become a very big thing and singers are just a little subordinate. Now, I am coming up with a new album on world music. The album has seven songs in different languages. Four songs are in English, two in Hindi and one in Gujarati. The album is going to be released shortly.”

Sonu is indeed trying to bring the world closer through his music. He believes that music can help India and Pakistan find a common chord and defends the participation of Pakistani artistes in Indian shows, including Chhote Ustaad. “Our industry is bigger than the film industry in Pakistan. The public there follow our films and our music. So, it is our duty to invite them as the big brother. We have the greater responsibility of encouraging music in our neighbouring country. Give and take comes when both parties are equally strong,” he says.

By Sonu's side is Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, also a part of the reality show. He says, “It is not that we do not want to invite Indian artistes, but the present political situation in our country is not conducive for it. Terrorism is there, even shows are not held. People in Pakistan have the utmost respect for Indian artistes. We like Indian films and Indian artistes more than our own. We only like to see Indian stars.”

Sonu states, “Chhote Ustaad is going to be a one-of-its kind show, and it is going to play a good role in improving ties between both countries. What I believe is that you cannot change the mindset of an adult. The seeds of peace can be sowed in tender minds. The kids from our neighbouring country, who are participating in the show, are subject to Indian hospitality. They are going to spread the message of peace when they are back home. We will see the positive effect of this, maybe after a decade when this generation grows up.”

Sonu goes on to add, “It is a music show and we are going to talk only about music.Both me and Rahat are going to give a personal touch to the kids. It is not a competition between the children of the two countries. We have 10 voices from each country; they are kids and we cannot divide them.”

Friday 23 July 2010

Sonu Niigaam Sings For Salman Khna's 'Dabangg'


Dabangg is an upcoming Bollywood action film, directed by Abhinav Kashyap and
produced by Arbaaz Khan, set to be released on 10 September 2010.

It is the first film of newly launched Arbaaz Khan productions.
It is going to be the debut film of Sonakshi Sinha (The daughter of Shatrughan Sinha)Arbaaz debut's as a producer.

The theatrical trailer of Dabangg is now available to preview on you tube

Produced by Arbaaz Khan - Directed by Abhinav Kashyap
Written by Dilip Shukla & Abhinav Kashyap
Starring Salman Khan, Arbaaz Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Sonu Sood
Vinod Khanna & Dimple Kapadia


Salman Khan’s Dabangg is again composed by Sajid-Wajid and this time they are back with a big league of singers comprising of Sonu Niigaam, Sukhwinder Singh
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shreya Ghoshal. Here is the song list of the movie.
Dabangg is the one to watch out for !!

1.Chori Kiya Re Jiya - Sonu Niigaam, Shreya Ghoshal
2.Tere Mast Do Nain - Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Arshikha Loey
3.Munni Badnaam Hui - Mamta Sharma, Aishwarya
4.GhoshalUdd Udd Dabangg - Sukhwinder Singh, Wajid
5.Humka Peeni Hai - Wajid , Master Salim, Shabaab Shabri
6.Tere Mast Do Nain (Part 2) - Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shreya Ghoshal
7.Munni Badnaam Hui (Remix) - Mamta Sharma, Aishwarya
8.Tere Mast Do Nain (Remix) - Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Arshikha Loey
9.Humka Peeni Hai - Wajid, Master Salim, Shabaab Shabri

The music for the album will be released in the first week of August!!

Sonu Niigaam - Tuned For Two !!


“Amul Chhote Ustaad – Do Deshon Ki Ek Awaaz” brings together young Indian and Pakistani singing talents.

“Amul Chhote Ustaad — Do Deshon Ki Ek Awaaz” on Star Plus is going to present the best of young Pakistani talent to the Indian viewers. There are 10 children from Pakistan trying their luck in the show. All of them have been handpicked by the redoubtable Rahat Fateh Ali Khan who feels the youngsters will give a good account of their talent on the show.

The kids, all in the age group of eight to 14, hailing from Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad, etc. to share Rahat's confidence. They have their own other likings according to their age. Karachi-based Wania Jibraan, a class 8 student, says, “In Karachi we have more promotional shows than reality shows, and this is a very good platform to show our talent. I have taken part in many shows back home and even won the International Schools Educational Olympiad for singing, but this is going to be more exciting.”

Wania, a daughter of doctor parents, wants to become a cardiologist. She adds, “Music is very important to me but education is even more important and for me an educated musician is much better.” Like any other Pakistani, Wania loves watching Indian movies. Shahid Kapoor and Deepika Padukone are her favourites.

Fariha Akram, an 11-year-old from Faisalabad, started singing at the age of four, training under her vocalist father. This is the little girl's third visit to India. Last year she was invited to perform in Pune on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday. Syed Mair Hassan, a class 9 student from Karachi, says, “I never got any formal training for music; I just like to hear Indian and Pakistani songs and sing them on my own.” Singing is not the only passion for these little ustads. Fariha is a good cook and can stitch clothes, while Mair says, “My other hobby is freestyle wrestling. I am a huge follower of WWE. I can lift a man twice my weight.”

The three Khans

They may have learnt from different ustads, but they are united by their love and appreciation of India, particularly Mumbai. All of them have one voice: that Mumbai is almost like Karachi — the food, the people, the language, the clothes, everything is just like we have in Karachi, they say. The only difference is the traffic which is too much here in Mumbai, they add. As for the other big difference, “The three Khans (Shah Rukh, Aamir, Salman) live here!”

On the show, they will form teams with their Indian counterparts. As Sonu Niigaam puts it, “Every team will have one Indian and one Pakistani singer; no one can say, because of our nationality we got fewer votes.” Omi Vaidya (who played Chatur Ramalingam in the Bollywood blockbuster “3 idiots”) will host the show. Rahat adds, “Unlike other reality shows, you will not find me and Sonu fighting on the show.” The show starts this Saturday and will last for 12 weeks.

Sonu Niigaam follows Baba Ramdev's Health Tips


Playback singer Sonu Niigaam is looking fit as ever at 36, all thanks to Baba Ramdev’s exercises that he practices religiously everyday.

The singer, who has sung popular numbers like Ye Dil Deewana and Panchhi Nadiyaan, is sporting a new, refreshed look for his role as a

The show is going on air Saturday, and Sonu sports a new hairdo, a revamped wardrobe and a well-toned body on the show. His yoga sessions also help him in building stamina and focus, says a source close to the singer.

Sonu will judge the show along with Pakistani sufi singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

Tuesday 20 July 2010

Happy Birthday To The Most Adorable & Sweet - NEVAAN NIGAM !!


Happy Birthday to our cute little angel Nevaan (son of singer Sonu Niigaam).... which fall's on the 25th July 2010 - May God bless him with loads of happiness and love, we love you with all our hearts
Enjoy being 3 years old, its a lotta fun :):)...
A little song dedicated from me here goes:

Sonu Niigaam On B4U!

Music channel B4U has undergone a makeover and to support its new look and feel, it has introduced a number of new shows.

As part of the new look, the channel now spots an animated logo in place of a static one and has adopted a new channel identity. It has also introduced a signature tune.

Commenting on the objective of a complete makeover, Kalyan Sundaram, business head, B4U, says, "It's been long since we made any significant changes in the way we look or what we have on offer for our viewers. So, it was time to relook at our strategy and thus, instead of being frequency driven, we decided to make the music channel appointment driven."

To convey and reinforce this new approach towards music, it was necessary for the channel to refresh its look as well. According to Sundaram, without changing the logo and the colour scheme, the channel adopted an animated logo and has introduced a number of youthful and colourful channel IDs (themes) for various parts of the day and different shows.


All these changes have also come on the back of its one year old popular prime time music show, Aawaaz De Kahaan Hai. The channel hopes to piggyback on the success of this show to draw an audience for its new offerings.

Beginning this week, the channel will have six new shows, including Orange Funk, Bollywood Bang Bang, Sooper Hits, Morning Masala and Solid Hits. The new shows revolve around music, health and lifestyle.

Sundaram shares that the fresh line up has been driven by the fact that B4U has broadened its target audience group. From the earlier target group of people aged 15-24 years, it now targets people in the age group of 15-40 years. It has done this by offering content and music from classics to retro and current Bollywood hits.

The channel is also concentrating on bringing back into vogue the non-film music made popular a few years ago by singers such as
Sonu Niigaam, Adnan Sami and Alisha Chinai.
It has also started playing international numbers to woo music aficionados.

Sunday 18 July 2010

Sonu Niigaam & Omi Chatur Vaidya All Set To Do 'Chamatkar'

Sonu Niigaam: They don't know me well in America


There was a time when he was the voice behind every other hit Bollywood song, but now Sonu Niigaam says he wants to chart a new course. He's working on a musical project in the US and judging a children's show aimed at bringing Indian and Pakistani children together through music.

"I want to do something different now. I recently came back from Los Angeles. I am working on a musical project there," said Sonu explaining his irregular presence in the film world.

"In India everybody knows me, I have a name here but in America they don't know me so well. So there is a song that I want to release in America. I'm just seeing if I can facilitate the release over there...currently I'm busy with that.

"Working on a few other collaborations as well, but won't be able to reveal details just yet," added Sonu, who is known for chartbusters like " Sandese aate hain " ("Border"), " Yeh Dil " ("Pardes"), " Kal ho naa ho " ("Kal Ho Naa Ho") and " Saathiya ".

Sonu gained popularity as a host for music show "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa" in the 1990s and he is now set to return to the small screen -- this time as a judge.

The singer will be judging music reality show " Chhote Ustaad 2 ", which will feature 10 children from India and 10 from Pakistan, along with Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

"I did get offers for shows earlier too, but I didn't like them too much. This one is more musically inclined and also spreads a wonderful message of love and peace across the border," Sonu said.

"Children have an impressionable mind; so inculcating positivity and a feeling of brotherhood in them from this age will result in a very good future. It's a good initiative and I hope people will appreciate it," the singer said.

Apart from his new ventures, there is something else Sonu is proud of -- his three-year-old son Nevaan. Sonu, who got the gift of music from his father, singer Agam Kumar Niigaam, says his son not only sings but has already turned composer!

"He sings and dances all the time. In fact he has also started composing even though he is just three. He has composed three songs which are very catchy," said Sonu.

The 36-year-old singer married Madhurima Feb 15, 2002, and they had a son July 25, 2007.

"In fact it's not that he's become musically inclined now. Since Nevaan was eight months old I used to sing and he used to sing in the same pitch. It is shocking but true!" said Sonu.

Friday 16 July 2010

Sonu Niigaam & Rahat Fateh Ali Khan On Stage !!


With Sonu Niigaam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan on the same stage, this evening was a musical treat for sure!

And even though Sonu was feeling a little under the weather, how could anyone let him come on stage without singing a few lines? The singer obliged, while Rahat too sang a few songs. But it’s not just these two who regaled the audience. Tiny tots from India as well as from Pakistan too left the audience mesmerised with their talent.

Omi Vaidya, the cute ‘Chatur’ from 3 Idiots was quite a hit with the kids. When someone asked him how he’s going to manage speaking in Hindi, Omi replied, “I’m taking classes!”

Monday 12 July 2010

Sonu Niigaam changes Look For TV Show !!

Pic to follow soon !!
MUMBAI - Of late, Sonu Niigaam has been in the news more for his looks than his songs and yet again the singer is hogging the limelight for his makevoer for an upcoming TV show.

Sonu, along with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, will judge children’s music show “Chote Ustaad” on Star Plus and he will sport a new hairdo, a revamped wardrobe and a well-toned body.

“Sonu has been meticulously planning his look as he wants to look young and contemporary. His wife Madhurima has also been involved in putting together the desired look for her husband,” said a statement.

The show will showcase the singing prowess of children from both India and Pakistan.

Saturday 10 July 2010

The Sonu Niigaam Newsletter 2nd Quarter 2010






















Courtesy - Shyama Govind - (Web Admin)
Team Sonu Niigaam

Sonu Niigaam - You Must Make Room For The Cosmos !!


Mumbai: What prompted you to do an album like Buddha Hi Buddha Hai?

I have just one song in it— the title track. Rajesh Dhabre approached me through my friend programmer Jackie Vanjari, who was working for my World Music project at that time. I liked Dhabre’s passion and taste, and agreed to be a part of it.

I once read an interview where you said that you seek inner and outer peace in your life. Is this something that is manifesting in your life nowadays?

Well.... the seeking days are almost over. I had understood it, but couldn’t apply it until last year. It’s only then that I realised what I am and what this stuff (spirituality) is about. So do I quit everything? Or do I opt for everything? I decided to opt for everything because only then I’d know there is nothing to quit from, nor opt for! The perceptions of happiness and non-happiness, these imaginations have been my own choices all this while!

Have you ever had a spiritual experience while performing or connecting with your fans?

I’ve said this before, I’d say this again... I die on stage. I don’t exist when I am on stage. I wouldn’t be able to do half as good a job if I existed. I believe it’s only when you make room for the cosmos to intervene, excellence happens. Every show is a spiritual trip. By spiritual I don’t mean religious by the way. I don’t see the conventional Gods, like Sheravaali maata, Shivji, Allah mian, Jesus to be honest! I just feel a vacuum, a timelessness, a no gravity situation. No sorrows, no happiness...just pure bliss!

Have there been any turning points in your life that set you on the path to becoming a spiritual seeker?

Well,it’s difficult to put it all in words. Like any typical Indian, my journey began with religion. Hinduism, in my case. In the year 2003, in my home temple, I felt something strange, something I still can’t explain. But I was crying. Then I separated from my wife for a while, and then reunited, and then separated again. And then reunited again. During this patch, extensive yoga initiated me in this quest. Then interactions and discourses with a close and realised friend of mine added reality to it. But at the end of it, it’s our own journey, willingness and surrender.

Spirituality is a word that I generally don’t use as it’s more misused than used in the world. But this experience has given me the strength to walk alone if required.

Is there any spiritual philosophy or spiritual values that you follow?


The only thing that I am doing on this path is, to keep a check on myself. I am not ruthless with myself. On the contrary, I socialise often, party, drink, laugh, entertain, etc. But I watch my Self. I’m witnessing my patterns. For instance I just witnessed myself having a lot of fun beating people in word play on Twitter. Even though the excuse was that I was giving it back to the ones who had been unfair or nasty, I could notice myself getting entrapped in negativity, secretly enjoying hurting the other party. The old Sonu resurfaced. So I quit

Friday 9 July 2010

Sonu Niigaam Ft: In Chhote Ustaad - Season 2 Promo

Sonu Niigaam To Attend The Asian Awards In London !!


Legendary playback singer and songwriter Sonu Niigaam has today confirmed that he will make a rare personal appearance in the UK when he tops the bill at The Asian Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane in London on 26 October.

The variety, emotional range and sheer power of his internationally acclaimed voice have earned Niigaam a huge global following.

A Bollywood icon, his many songs for movies, as well as his award-winning Indi-Pop albums and other varied musical collaborations, have put the 36-year-old firmly among India's most successful and endearing stars.

The Asian Awards, in partnership with Lebara, is a prestigious new global event saluting achievement and excellence by individuals born in or with direct family origin from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan or Bangladesh.

"Guests at this prestigious gala ceremony, including international business and community leaders, Parliamentarians, movie, music and sport stars, will witness the honouring of outstanding individuals in eleven categories - including business, philanthropy, cinema, music and sport," said Caroline Jackson Levy, managing director of UBM Awards. "We are so thrilled Sonu Niigaam will be leading our entertainment. His pre-eminence as a popular Indian entertainer demonstrates the high quality of this great and unforgettable evening."

Winners of The Asian Awards will be selected by independent judges chaired by Baroness Verma of Leicester, a Government Spokesperson in the House of Lords. Born in Amritsar in Punjab, India, Lady Verma moved as a child with her parents to England in 1960. "I am delighted in giving The Asian Awards my wholehearted support. This remarkable event will recognise the incredible talent of incredible Asians and I am truly honoured to be associated with it," said Lady Verma.

Yoganathan Ratheesan, founder and CEO of the headline sponsor Lebara, said, "We're delighted to be the headline sponsor of The Asian Awards which recognise what can be achieved with hard work, commitment and determination. At Lebara we share and promote these important values."

The Asian Awards, a partnership between United Business Media and Indian businessman Paul Sagoo, supports Save the Children as its official charity partner.

Tuesday 6 July 2010

Sonu Niigaam Ft: The First Promos 'Chhote Ustaad 2’


Star Plus-Zee at loggerheads
The first promos of the Star Plus’ children’s singing reality show, Chhote Ustaad 2, have just gone on air with Sonu Niigaam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan as the judges. Zee TV’s promotions started approximately three weeks ago for their singing reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa with Vishal-Shekhar, Sajid-Wajid and Daler Mehndi as mentor-judges. The buzz is that both shows will go on air in the same weekend, in the last week of July or the first week of August.

Zee TV’s programming head for non-fiction content, Ashish Golwalkar, says that there is no “intended competition”. “Dance India Dance (DID) and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa are the channel’s prime properties on weekends. By rotating them with the adult and kids’ versions, we have managed to sustain our TRPs,” asserts Golwalkar. He insists that his show’s launch was not fixed keeping Chhote Ustaad 2’s date and timing in mind. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa will be on the 9.30 pm slot, on Fridays and Saturdays.

Officials from Star Plus refused to comment. According to a reliable source, Star Plus has decided to relaunch Chhote Ustaad after two years in a bid to outscore Zee TV’s weekend ratings. This week, Star Plus became the No 1 channel with 400 plus points, Bidaai, beating Zee TV’s Pavitra Rishta to the No.1 spot.

“After becoming the top channel in the Hindi general entertainment space, they don’t want to lag behind in any slot,” points out our source. “The weekend prime time slot has been ruled by Zee. Earlier, in April, Zara Nachke Dikha arrived in the same weekend as DID Li’l Masters and scored 2.5 as against DID 6 points.”

Star Plus and Zee TV have been competitors since the 1990s and the war continues, even after two decades.

Friday 2 July 2010

Sonu Niigaam hits highest note for patriotic song !!


Music director Shamir Tandon can’t stop raving about Sonu Niigaam who hit the highest note ever for a patriotic track in the film Kandahar. Directed by retired army officer, Major Ravi, the trilingual project in Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam, toplines Amitabh Bachchan and Mohanlal.

“The song in question is Naman hai.. and Sonu has hit the highest note in human vocal registry with an open-throat effort without singing falsetto,” explains Tandon. Technically, the last octave is the highest possible note that can be humanly hit. And it’s usually achieved while singing falsetto when the voice begins to vibrate and turns shrill.

“Sonu was unaware of what he had done. Very few people in the world can go this far. The late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was an exception but even he sounded shrill. Sonu sustained the pitch admirably and the heaviness in his voice added a melancholic touch to the song,” exults Tandon.

Naman hai…has been penned by lyricist Sandeep Nath who also wrote verses for Tandon’s earlier soundtracks for movies like Page 3 and Corporate. “Ravi wanted lines that weren’t overdramatic and he wanted a Hindi synonym of salaam that could be used across the three languages. Naman is another word for salute in Hindi,” says Tandon.

This soft rock number, complete with electric violin, guitar distortion and live drums, though in Hindi, will be used in all three versions of the film. The other songs will be dubbed in the respective languages.
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Shamir’s ‘Naman’ to India
When we think of patriotic songs, a few numbers like, “Ae mere watan ke logon” comes to our mind and we can immediately recollect the incident when Late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was in tears while the nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar, was singing it live.

“Sandese aate hain” from Border, “Mera rang de basanti chola” from Legend of Bhagat Singh, “Maa tujhe salaam” by A. R. Rahman are few other songs, which definitely stir a plethora of patriotic emotions in most Indians.

Now, music composer Shamir Tandon has recorded a patriotic song “Naman Hai” with the one of the best male playback singers in Bollywood - Sonu Nigam.

It happened when Shamir was recording the song “Naman Hai” for a multi lingual film “Kandahar”, which is based on the infamous Kandahar hijack that happened in 1999.

The movie stars legends like Amitabh Bachchan and Malayalam superstar Mohan Lal.

The movie is being produced by Sunil Nair from Saffron Advisor Productions is directed by Major Ravi and currently being shot at Dehradun.

Shamir says, “When I was given the opportunity of recording a patriotic song, only one name came to my mind – Sonu Nigam. He is not only the best singer in the industry, but he has this amazing voice that enables him to hit the highest notes. We all know that Sonu operates from the US these days.

“ When I expressed a desire to record ‘Naman Hai’ to Sonu, he immediately said ‘yes’ and found time from his busy schedule to come and record this song. ‘Naman Hai’ has some very high notes, and it was practically impossible for any singer to hit those notes, without his voice cracking. Initially I was a bit nervous, because it was a huge task that I put forth to Sonu.”

“But hats off to Sonu! He practised for a bit in the studio, and... His magical voice made the impossible possible. Not only he managed to hit those higher notes but he sang them with such ease and such emotions, that everyone in the recording studio had tears in their eyes.

“No one else other than Sonu could have done justice to the song. Sonu too was most delighted and at the end of the recording he hugged me and thanked me for giving him this opportunity to explore his own hidden talent of throatily hitting notes that globally very few singers can achieve without shaking their voice,” he said.

He further said, “I am so glad that Sonu has not only managed to live up to my expectations, but has surpassed them. Any other singer in his place would have packed his bags, because singing on such high notes can also cause damage to the singer’s voice.

“But today, I can proudly say that our industry is blessed to have a talent like Sonu Nigam. And this is our way to pay tribute to our nation. We are eagerly waiting for the music release of Kandahar. It is definitely an album that is very close to my heart.”

Shamir Tandon is known for his music in films, including, Rakht, Page 3, Umar, Corporate, Traffic Signal, Superstar, Acid Factory and Jail.

His next projects include a nationwide polio campaign with Amitabh Bachchan, ‘Uut Pataang’ starring Vinay Pathak, Satish Kaushik's ‘Hawai Dada’ starring Anupam Kher, ‘Mumbai Chakachak’ starring Rahul Bose, and Popcorn Films’ ‘Loot’.

Sonu Niigaam on Chotte Ustad Season 2 - Launch Confirmed !!


The singing contest kicks off on Saturday 24th July at 19:00 and will be aired on Saturday and Sundays. As already confirmed on BizAsia.co.uk earlier, Sonu Niigaam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will judge the show along with various other judges over the series. Shreya Ghosal, ...Shaan and a few other Bollywood playback singers are set to accompany the regular judges. Omi Vaidya will host the show with a female presenter but she is yet to be confirmed. This time the show will feature children from across the border as well. An Indian and Pakistani child will form a pair.