The reigning queen of Hindi film music Alka
                     Yagnik commands a position in the industry
                     that can only be dreamt of. The Ek Do Teen girl
                     is going places, be it Mumbai or Melbourne, her
                     voice is everywhere. The current numero uno
                     came into her own, as The Nightingale of India (Lata Mangeshkar)
                     took a voluntary semi-retirement.

                     She began her career with the famous mere angane mein, but
                     shone on the music scene only with the sizzling, ek do teen.
                     Then began a career which very few can boast of. Qayamat Se
                     Qayamat Tak (Gazab Ka Hai Din), Akele Hum Akele Tum (Raja
                     Ko Rani Se), Deewana (Aisi Deewangee), Baazigar (Baazigar O
                     Baazigar), Karan Arjun (Jaati Hoon Main), Criminal (Tu Mile), Hum
                     Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (Ghunghat), Khamoshi (Bahon Ke Darmiyan),
                     Raja Hindustani (Pardesi Pardesi), Taal (Taal Se Taal), Refugee
                     (Panchi Nadiya)…….and impossibly long trail of hits, which would
                     make any singer go green with envy. She has even cut an album
                     with Javed Akhtar, tum yaad aaye, and that too with great
                     success.

                     Born and brought up in Calcutta, Alka Yagnik came to Bombay
                     almost two decades ago and ever since she has become an
                     inseperable part of the film industry. In her short career, she has
                     had the privilege of walking away with three Filmfare awards and
                     two National awards. Born to a lady who happens to be a
                     classical singer herself, music was in her blood.

                     She started singing Bhajans for the Calcutta Radio, at a tender
                     age of six. According to her, singing was just a hobby initially but
                     as success and popularity came along, she started taking it up
                     seriously as a profession.

                     "Over the years, I have begun to command a price and I get one.
                     Newcomers obviously don't get as much as established singers
                     do", is what she has to say about the present music scenario.
                     However, she resents the fact that compared to the vast amount
                     of money that the music industry makes, the singers don't get
                     their due.

                     On the personal front, she is happily married and her husband
                     happens to be in the U.S. Her day starts like any other woman's,
                     getting her daughter ready for school. Exercise, riyaaz, and then
                     rushing for a recording follow that. Two to four happens to be
                     exclusive siesta time, after which work begins again and she is
                     usually back home by 7:30. When she is not working, sleep is
                     what she enjoys most and holidays are fully reserved for her
                     family.

                     Alka Yagnik's philosophy in life happens to be, "music is the only
                     thing that moves". Let's hope she keeps moving her listeners in
                     the future with her melodious songs and her mesmerizing voice.