Alka Yagnik
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.