Udit Narayan is a Nepalese-Indian playback singer who has lent his voice to many Bollywood songs. He has sung in many languages including Nepali, Maithili, and Bhojpuri. He is popularly known as “King Of Melody.”
Wiki/Biography
Udit Narayan was born on 1 December 1955 (age 63 years; as in 2018 ) in the Baisi village of Supaul District, Bihar. His zodiac sign is Sagittarius. He did his schooling from Shree Public Bindeshawari Secondary School, Rajbiraj, Nepal. Udit finished his SSC from Jageshwar High School, Kunauli, Supaul, Bihar and obtained his intermediate degree from Ratna Rajya Lakshmi Campus, Kathmandu, Nepal. He moved to Mumbai on a musical scholarship for Nepalese through Indian Embassy in Nepal to study classical music at Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan. There he was mentored by ‘Pandit Dinkar Kaikini.’
Udit Narayan Throwback Picture With Usha Mangeshkar
Physical Appearance
Height: 5′ 6″ (approx.)
Weight: 70 kg
Eye Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Black
Family, Caste & Wife
Udit Narayan’s father Harekrishna Jha (Nepali) was a farmer, and his mother Bhuvaneshwari Jha (Indian) was a folk singer, who encouraged his career.
Udit Narayan’s Wife Deepa, His Son Aditya, and His Mother Bhuvaneshwari Jha
He has married twice. His first wife is Ranjana Narayan Jha.
Udit Narayan’s first Wife, Ranjana Narayan Jha
He was in a relationship with Deepa Narayan while being married to his first wife, Ranjana. Narayan and Deepa (singer) got married in 1985, and the couple has a son named Aditya Narayan, who is also a playback singer.
Udit Narayan With His Wife Deepa Narayan And Son Aditya
Career
He began his career as a Maithili and Nepali folk singer (staff artist) for Kathmandu Radio in 1970. He made his Bollywood debut as a singer with the song “Mil gaya Mil gaya” from the movie “Unees-Bees” in 1980.
A significant milestone of his career was when he sang all the songs for the movie “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak” with Alka Yagnik in 1988. He released his first non-movie Nepalese album “Upahaar” in which, he sang along with his wife, Deepa. He has several solo albums like Bhajan Sangam, Bhajan Vatika, I Love You, Dil Deewana, Yeh Dosti, Love is Life, Jaanam, Jhumka de Jhumka, Sona No Ghadulo, Dhuli Ganga and Ma Tarini.
Controversies
Udit Narayan was already married to Ranjana Narayan Jha when he married his second wife Deepa in 1985. Years later, Ranjana filed a case against the singer asking him to accord her the status of his wife. Later, an agreement was signed between Ranjana and Udit accepting each other as “husband and wife.” The agreement stated that it would give equal rights ‘of a wife’ to Ranjana and would not affect the status of his other wife Deepa and their son.
Awards & Honours
- Padma Bhushan in 2016
Udit Narayan Receiving Padma Bhushan
- Padma Shri in 2006
Udit Narayan Receiving Padma Shri
- Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu by the King of Nepal Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev in 2001
- Lata Mangeshkar Award in 2015
- National Bravery Award from Maharashtra in 2016
- Maharashtra Ratna Awards from Government of Maharashtra in 2011
- Dr Ambedkar awards in 2015
- Mohammed Rafi award in 2010
- Samrat Vikramaditya Sangeet Alankaran Samman in 2006
National awards
- Best Male Playback Singer for Mitwa from the film “Lagaan” in 2001
Udit Narayan Receiving National Award
- Best Male Playback Singer for Jaane Kyon Log from the film “Dil Chahta Hai” in 2001
- Best Male Playback Singer for Chote Chote Sapne Ho from the film “Zindagi Khoobsoorat Hai” in 2002
- Best Male Playback Singer for Yeh Taara Woh Taara from the film “Swades” in 2004
- Best Feature Film in Bhojpuri for “Kab Hoi Gawna Hamar” (producer) in 2005
Filmfare Awards
- Best Male Playback Singer for Papa Kahte Hai from the film “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak” in 1989
- Best Male Playback Singer for Mehandi Lagake Rakhna from the film “Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge” in 1996
- Best Male Playback Singer for Pardesi Pardesi from the film “Raja Hindustani” in 1997
- Best Male Playback Singer for Chand Chupa Badal Mein from the film “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam” in 2000
- Best Male Playback Singer for Mitwa from the film “Lagaan” in 2002
Favourite Things
- Musician: Rajesh Roshan, Uttam Singh, A. R. Rahman, Ismail Darbar
- Own Song: Jugnu from the film “Joker (2012)”
Facts
- He sang the song “Dulhe Raja” in an English independent movie “When Harry Tries to Marry” in 2011.
- He and his wife Deepa sang together in a pop album “Dil Deewana.”
- Nepali has also acted in the film “Kusume Rumal” and “Pirati” in 1985.
- Udit Narayan was the friend of ‘Chitragupta,’ the veteran music composer and Anand-Milind’s father. He was introduced to Chitragupta through the lyricist Anjaan. Chitragupt not only gave Udit work in Bhojpuri films but also recommended him as a singer for Anand-Milind’s film “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988).”
- An official in Indian Consulate asked Udit to learn Indian classical music and even arranged the scholarship for him.
- Udit used to sing for 25 paise at small village fairs.