Alka Yagnik (Hindi: अलका याज्ञिक or अलका याज्ञनिक) (born March 20, 1966 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India) is an Indian singer and seven-time winner of the Filmfare Best Female Playback Award. She is ranked among the best Bollywood playback singers of all time.

Early life and background

Alka Yagnik was born in Calcutta to a Gujarati family. Her mother Shubha Yagnik was a singer of Indian classical music. At the age of 6, she started singing for Calcutta Radio. At age 10, her mother brought her to Bombay as a child singer. She was advised to wait till her voice matured but her mother remained determined and on a subsequent visit, Alka got a letter of introduction to Raj Kapoor from his Calcutta distributor. Raj heard the girl and sent her with a letter to noted producer Laxmikant. Impressed, Laxmikant gave her two alternatives - an immediate start as a dubbing artist, or a later break as a singer; they settled for the latter.

Career

Alka Yagnik is classically trained and has been one of the leading playback singers in Bollywood since the late 1980's. She began singing bhajans for Calcutta Radio at the age of six. Her first song was for the film Payal Ki Jhankaar in (1979), followed by Laawaris (1981) with the hit song "Mere Angene Mein", followed by the film Hamari Bahu Alka (1982). She got her big break with the song "Ek Do Teen" from the film Tezaab (1988). The song turned her into a star overnight and went on to become a pop hit, also winning her a Filmfare Best Female Playback Award. Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak was also a career maker for her, as she along with Kumar sanu and Udit Narayan becoming household names.

She has sung in many languages other than Hindi, including Bengali, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam. In addition, she has been the number one choice for film songs due to the versatility of her voice, in which more film heroines have requested her voice be dubbed over their performance. She has worked with many Indian composers such as Laxmikant-Pyarelal,A R Rahman,Anand-Milind, Viju Shah, Himesh Reshammiya, Shankar-Eshaan-Loy, and others. Additionally, she is the personal favorite of composers Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Anu Malik, Rakesh Roshan, Nadeem-Shravan, and Jatin-Lalit, for whom she is the first choice for their compositions [2].

She shares the title with Asha Bhonsle for the most number of Filmfare Awards won (7) by a single female playback singer. Alka has also been the judge of various Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge shows, and Star Voice of India, both singing competition shows, in which children or adults of various age groups compete with one another to win the award for best vocals. In addition to this, her song "Chamma Chamma" from China Gate was featured in the song "Hindi Sad Diamonds" from the soundtrack of the film Moulin Rouge!.

Awards

Alka Yagnik has received numerous awards, and nominations in her singing career, apart from the awards listed below. She received the Filmfare award for Best Female Playback for three consecutive years from 1999–2001.

Filmfare Awards

* 1988 - Best Female Playback for "Ek Do Teen" for the film Tezaab
* 1993 - Best Female Playback for "Choli Ke Peeche" for the film Khalnayak (shared with Ila Arun)
* 1997 - Best Female Playback for "Zara Tasveer Se Tu" for the film Pardes
* 1999 - Best Female Playback for "Taal Se Taal" for the film Taal
* 2000 - Best Female Playback for "Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Dil Se" for the film Dhadkan
* 2001 - Best Female Playback for "O Re Chhori" for the film Lagaan
* 2004 - Best Female Playback for "Hum Tum" for the film Hum Tum

National Film Awards

* 1994 - Silver Lotus Award for "Ghoongat Ki Aad Se" for the film Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke
* 1999 - Silver Lotus Award for "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" for the film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

Zee Cine Awards

* 1999 - "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" - Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
* 2001 - "Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai" - Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai
* 2007 -"Tumhi Dekho Naa" - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

Star Screen Awards

* 1995 - Best Female Playback for "Dil Ne Dil Se" from Haqeeqat
* 2000 - Best Female Playback for "Paanchi Nadiyaan" from Refugee
* 2005 - Best Female Playback for "Kyuon Ki Itna Pyaar Tumse" from Kyon ki

International Indian Film Academy

* 2000 - "Taal Se Taal Mila" - Taal
* 2001 -"Kaho Naa Pyar Hai" - Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai

BJFA Awards

* 1989 - "Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak"

Sansui Awards

* 2003 - "Tere Naam"- Tere Naam

MTV Awards

* 2001 - "Jaane Kyon"- Dil Chaata Hai

Popular Award

* 2001 - "Kaho Na Pyaar Hai" - Kaho Na Pyaar Hai

Artistic Excellence Female Playback Singer Award

* 2000 - "Taal se Taal" - Taal

Nominations

Filmfare

* Best Playback Singer - Female for: Baazigar (1993) for the song "Baazigar O Baazigar".

* Best Playback Singer - Female for: Gupt: The Hidden Truth (1997) for the song "Mere khwaabon mein tu".

* Best Playback Singer - Female for: Refugee (2000) for "Panchhi Nadiya".

* Best Playback Singer - Female for: Asoka (2001) for the song "San Sanana".

* Best Playback Singer - Female for: Dil Chahta Hai (2001) for the song "Jaane Kyon".

* Best Playback Singer - Female for: Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001) for the song "O Re Chhori".

* Best Playback Singer - Female for: Raaz (2002) for the song "Aapke Pyar Mein".

* Best Playback Singer - Female for: Humraaz (2002) for the song "Sanam Mere Humraaz".

* Best Playback Singer - Female for: Tere Naam (2003) for the song "Odhni odhke".

* Best Playback Singer - Female for: Chalte Chalte (2003) for the song "Tauba tumhare".

* Best Playback Singer - Female for: Swades: We, the People (2004) for "Saanwariya".

* Best Playback Singer - Female for: Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) for "Lal Dupatta".

* Best Playback Singer - Female for: Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) for the song "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna".

* Best Playback Singer - Female for: Yuvvraaj (2009) for the song "Tu Muskura".

BBC World Music Awards

* 2003 - BBC World Music Award - Asia Pacific

Selected Filmography

* Shortkut - The Con Is On (2009) - "Kal Nau Bhaje"
* Yuvvraaj (2008) - "Tu Muskura", "Mastam Mastam"
* Slumdog Millionaire (2008)-"Ringa Ringa"
* Kismat Konnection (2008) - "Bakhuda Tumhi Ho"
* Love Story 2050 (2008) - "Meelon Ka Jaise Tha Faasla", "Mausam Achanak"
* Saawariya (2007) - "Chhabeela"
* Guru (2007) - "Aye Hairate Aashiqi"
* Umrao Jaan (2006) - "Salaam", "Pooch Rahe Hain", "Behka Diya Hamein", "Main Na Mil Sakhun"
* Babul (2006) - "Gaa Re Mann"
* Shaadi Se Pehle (2006) - "Bijuriya, bijuriya" (remix), "Sache Ashiq"
* Jai Santoshi Maa (2006) - "Maa Santoshi Maa"
* Dil Apna Punjabi (2006) - "Sohniye" ft. Harbhajan Mann
* Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) - "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna", "Tumhi Dekho Na"
* Barsaat (2005) - "Yeh Jo Dil Hai", "Saajan Saajan", "Barsaat Ke Din Aaye", "Maine Tumse Pyar Bahut Kiya", "Aaja Aaja Piya Ab To Aaja"
* Lucky: No Time for Love (2005) - "Chori Chori"
* Swades (2004) - "Saanwariya Saanwariya"
* Fida (2004) - "Aaja Ve Mahi"
* Hum Tum (2004) - "Lakdi Kyun", "Gore Gore Se Chore", "Saason Ko Saason Mein", "Yaara Yaara", "Hum Tum"
* Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) - "Laal Dupatta" with Udit Narayan
* Andaaz (2003) - "Kisise Tum Pyaar Karo", "Allah Kare Dil Na Lage", "Aayega Maza Ab Barsaat Ka"
* Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) - "Kuch To Hua Hai"
* Tere Naam (2003) - "Oodhni" with Udit Narayan
* The Hero (2003) - "Dil Mein Hai Pyaar"
* Chori Chori (2003) - "Aate Aate", "Mehndi"
* Chalte Chalte (2003) - "Tauba"
* Dil Ka Rishta (2003) - "Dil Churale O Chand", "Saajan Saajan Saajan", "Haaye Dil Mera Dil", "Dilka Rishta Bada Pyara" with Udit Narayan
* Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai (2002) - "Ek Ladki"
* Om Jai Jagadish (2002) - "Chori Chori"
* Shakti (2002) - "Ishq Kameena"
* Raaz (2002) - Aapke Pyaar Mein, "Kya Tumhe Yaad Hai, Kitna Pyaara hai ye chehra" with Udit Narayan
* Dil Hai Tumhara (2002) - "Dil Laga Liya Maine", "Dil Hai Tumhara", "Kasam Khake Kaho, "Mohabbat Dil Ka Sukoon Hai", "Chaahe Zuban"
* Mujhse Dosti Karoge! (2002) - '"Jaane Dil Se"
* Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge (2002) - "Bindiya Chamke"
* Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa (2002) - "Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa"
* Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya (2002) - "Hum Pyaar Hai Tumhare"
* Kasoor (2001) - "Kitni Bechain Hoke" with Udit Narayan
* Dil Chahta Hai (2001) - "Jaane Kyon" with Udit Narayan
* Lajja (2001) - "Badi Mushkil"
* Ajnabee (2001) - "Kaun Main, Haan Tum"
* Aaghaaz (2000) - "Mann Tera Mera Mann"
* Refugee (2000) - "Mere Humsafar", "Panchi Nadiya", "Aisa Lagta Hai", "Taal Pe Jab"
* Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000) "Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge", "Mujshe Shaadi Karogii", "Tera Pallu" with Udit Narayan
* Dhadkan (2000) - "Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Dil Se" with Udit Narayan, "Aksar is Duniya Mein"
* Zubeidaa (2000) - "Mehndi Hai Rachnewali", Hai Na
* Mission Kashmir (2000) - "Chupke Se Sun", "Socho Ke Jheelon Ka" with Udit Narayan
* Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai (2000) - "Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai", "Shukriya"
* Fiza (2000) - "Aaja Mahiya", "Tu Fiza Hai"
* Chal Mere Bhai (2000) - "Chori Chori Sapnon Mein", "Meri Neend Jaane Lagi Hai"
* Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000) - "Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai" with Udit Narayan
* Dillagi (1999) - "Dillagi"
* Daag (1999) - "Pyaar Hume Pyaar"
* Sarfarosh (1999) - "Jo Haal Dil Ka", "Is Deewane Ladke Ko
* Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) - "Chand Chupa" with Udit Narayan
* Taal (1999) - "Taal Se" with Udit Narayan
* Sirf Tum (1999) - "Paehli Pehli Bar", "Dilbar Dilbar"
* Arjun Pandit (1999) - "Kudiyan Sheher Diyan"
* Biwi No.1 (1999) - "Mehboob Mere"
* Zakhm (1998) - "Gali Mein Aaj Chand"
* Soldier (1998) - "Soldier Soldier", "Mehfil Mein Baar Baar"
* China Gate (1998) - "Chamma Chamma"
* Duplicate (1998) - "Mere Mehboob Mera Sanam" with Udit Narayan
* Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) - "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", "Ladki Badi Anjani Hai", "Koi Mil Gaya", "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" (sad version), "Yeh Ladki Hai Diwani", "Saajan Ji Ghar Aaye", "Tujhe Yaad Na Mere Aaye" with Udit Narayan
* Bade Miyan Chote Miyan - "Makna", "Deta Jai Jodee", "Kisi Disco Mein Jaayein"
* Ghulam (1998) - "Aati Kya Khandala"
* Gupt (1997) - "Mushkil Bada Yeh Pyaar Hain", "Mere Khwabon mein tu" , "Ye Pyaasi Mohabbat"
* Ishq (1997) - "Neend Churayi Meri"
* Koyla (1997) - "Dekha Tujhe To", "Tanhai Tanhai"
* Border (1997) - "Hamen Jabse Mohabbat"
* Jeevan Yudh (1997) - "Zindagi Ko Guzarne Ke liye" with Pankaj Udhas
* Judaai (1997) - "Ooee Baba", "Mujhe Pyaar Hua"
* Khamoshi: The Musical (1996) - "Bahon Ke Darmiyan"
* Jeet (1996) - "Yaara O Yaara Milna", "Saason Ka Chalna", "Tu Dharti Pe Jitna Bhi"
* Raja Hindustani (1996) - "Pardesi Pardesi" with Udit Narayan
* Rajkumar (1996) - "Payal Meri"
* Raja (1995) - "Aakhiyan Milau Kabhi Aakhiyan Churao", "Nazre Mili Dil Dhadka" with Udit Narayan
* Karan Arjun (1995) - "Jaati Hoon Main", "Yeh Bandhan To Pyar ka Bandhan Hai" with Udit Narayan
* Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995) - "Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya" with Udit Narayan
* Naajayaz (1995) - "Kya Tum Mujshe Pyar Karte Ho", "Tujhe Pyaar Karte Karte"
* Coolie No. 1 (1995) - "Mein To Raste"
* Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994) - "Churake Dil Mera"
* Criminal (1994) - "Tu Mile Dil Khile"
* Mohra (1994) - "Tip Tip Barsa Paani" with Udit Narayan
* Dilwale (1994) - "Mauka Milega To Hum Pyar", "Jeeta Tha Jiske Liye", "Jeeta Hoon Jiske Liye", "Saaton Janam Mein Tere" with Udit Narayan
* Baazigar (1993) - "Baazigar O Baazigar", "Aye Mere Humsafar"
* Dil Tera Deewana (1993) - "Kam Se Kam"
* Darr (1993) - "Ang Se Ang Lagana"
* Khalnayak (1993) - "Choli Ke Peeche"
* Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aaye (1993) - "Sairana Si Hai", "Dil Deta Hai Ro Ro"
* Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993) - "Ghunghat Ki Aad se", "Kash Koi Ladka", "Yuhi Kat Jayega Safar", "Bombay Se Poonha"
* Khiladi (1992) - "Waada Raha Sanam"
* Bekhudi (1992) - "Jab Na Maana Dil Deewana"
* Deewana (1992) - "Payaliya" ,"Aisi Deewangi"
* Saajan (1991) - "Dekha Hai Pehli Baar", "Tu Shayar Hai"
* Phool Aur Kaante (1991) - "Tumse Milne ko Dil Karta Hai", "Dheere Dhere Pyar Ko Badhna"
* Sapne Saajan Ke (1992) - "Kehta Hai Mausam", "Kabhi Bhula Kabhi Yaad Kiya", "Aara Hai Mazza"
* Afsana Pyar Ka (1991) - "Yaad Teri Aati Hai"
* Tridev (1989) - "Gali Gali Mein"
* Bhrashtachar (1989) - "Mere Seene Se Lagja"
* Mujrim (1989) - "Raat Ke Bara Baje"
* Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) - "Akela Hain To Kya Ghum Hai", "Kahe Sataaye Kah", "Ey Mere Humsafar" with Udit Narayan
* Batwara (1989} - "Tu Maro Kaun Lage"
* Tezaab (1988) - "Ek Do Teen"
* Prem Pratigya (1988) - "Pyar Kabhi Kam Nahin Karna"
* Yudh (1985) - "Yudh Kar", "Doston Tum Sab Ko"
* Love Marriage (1984) - "Beeswin Sadi Ke"
* Coolie {1983) - "Mujhe Peene Ka Shock Nahin"
* Nastik (1982) - "Sagre Jagat Ka Ek Rakhwala"
* Kaamchor (1982) - "Tum Se Badhkar Duniya Mein"
* Jeevan Dhaara (1982) - "Jaldise Aana"
* Hamari Bahu Alka (1982)
* Lawaaris (1981) - "Mere Angane Mein Tumhara"
* Payal Ki Jhankaar (1979) - "Payal Ki Jhankaar"