Suresh Wadkar
Suresh Wadkar
Background information
Born	1954 (age 53)
Genre(s)	film music (playback singing), Indian classical music
Occupation(s)	Singer
Instrument(s)	Vocalist
Years active	1976 - present

Suresh Wadkar (Marathi: सुरेश वाडकर, 1954) is a one of the Indian film industry's leading playback singers. He performs in both Hindi and Marathi language films.

Contents 1 Early life 2 Singing career 3 Personal life 4 Awards 5 Collaborators 6 Popular hits 7 Selected filmography 8 References 9 External links

Early life

Suresh Wadkar was born in Kolhapur, India. At the age of 10, he began acquiring basic music education from Pandit Jialal Vasant. He soon impressed his guru with the quality of his voice.^[1] He began performing on the stage at a very early age.

Singing career

Though groomed for Indian classical music, he entered the Sur-Singar competition in 1976. Wadkar won the competition which was judged by composers from the Indian film industry including Jaidev. Jaidev later offered him the song "Seene Mein Jalan" in the film Gaman (released in 1978). He also performed in the film Paheli (released 1977).

At the time, Lata Mangeshkar was so impressed with his voice that she strongly recommended him to film personalities including Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Khayyam and Kalyanji-Anandji.^[2] Laxmikant-Pyarelal, impressed with his voice, soon recorded a duet with Lata "Chal Chameli Bagh Mein" for Krodhi (released in 1981). Soon after, he was given the opportunity to perform for songs in Hum Paanch, Pyaasa Sawan ("Megha re Megha Re") and above all, his turning point in films - Raj Kapoor's Prem Rog (released in 1982).

Wadkar also produced the film Tanman.com.^[3] He was a judge on the Indian TV singing show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs International and for the 2005 Sanjeet Awards.^[4]

Personal life

Wadkar is married to classical singer Padma.^[5] He is also an ardent devotee of the Indian Guru, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Awards

In 1976, Wadkar won the Madan Mohan Best Male Singer Award at the Sur-Singar competition.^[6] He also won the 2007 Maharashtra Pride Award which is given by the government of Maharashtra to citizens of note.^[7]

Collaborators

Suresh Wadkar has sung for a variety of composers in the Indian film industry. These include:

• Laxmikant Pyarelal
• Kalyanji Anandji
• R.D. Burman
• Ilayaraja
• Ravindra Jain
• Bappi Lahiri
• Khaiyyam
• Usha Khanna
• A.R. Rehman
• Nadeem-Shravan
• Vishal Bharadwaj
• Rajesh Roshan
• Raamlaxman
• Shiv-Hari
• Jatin-Lalit
• Anand-Milind
• Anu Malik
• Himesh Reshammiya
• Shanker
• Ravi
• Chitragupta
• Jaidev
• Hridayanath Mangeshkar
• Jagadguru Kripalu Ji Maharaj

Popular hits

• "Surmai Shaam" (Lekin)
• "Aye Zindagi Gale Lagaa Le" (Sadma)
• "Tumse Milke" (Parinda, with Asha Bhosle)
• "Lagi Aaj Saawan Ki" (Chandni)
• "Ram Teri Ganga Maili Ho Gayi" (Ram Teri Ganga Maili)
• "Huzur Is Kadar Bhi" (Masoom, with Bhupinder)
• "Seene Mein Jalan" (Gaman)
• "O Priya Priya" (Dil)
• "Aur is Dil mein kya rakha hain" (Imandar)
• "Chappa Chappa Charkha" (Machis, with Hariharan and Chorus)
• "Pyar Yeh Jaane Kaisa" (Rangeela,with Kavita Krishnamurthi)
• "Saanjh Dhale Gagan Tale" (Utsav)
• "Goron Ki Na Kalon Ki" (Disco Dancer)

Selected filmography

• Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi (2008)
• Omkara (2006)
• Vivah (2006)
• Bal Ganesh(2006)
• Indra (2002)
• Hu Tu Tu (1999)
• Sar Utha Ke Jiyo (1998)
• Maachis (1996)
• PremGranth (1996)
• Rangeela (1995)
• Guddu (1995)
• Aaina (1993)
• In Custody (1993)
• Parampara (1992)
• Dil Aashna Hai (1992)
• Thalapathi (1991)
• Lamhe (1991)
• Lekin (1991)
• Henna (1991)
• Kurbaan (1991)
• Aaj Ka Samson (1991)
• Patthar Ke Phool (1991)
• The Blow (1991)
• Shiva (1990)
• Bhrashtachar (1989)
• Toofan (1989)
• Purani Haveli (1989)
• Chandni (1989)
• Hero Hiralal (1988)
• Libaas (1988)
• Thikana (1987)
• Hifazat (1987) directed by Prayag Raj
• Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985)
• Utsav (1984)
• Sadma (1983)
• Masoom (1983)
• Disco Dancer (1982)
• Hum Paanch (1980)
• Paheli (1977)

References

1. ^ "Geocities: Suresh Wadkar". Retrieved on 2006-08-29.
2. ^ "Rediff: I am fortunate I lived in her time". Retrieved on 2006-08-29.
3. ^ "The colour of divine sound". Times of India (2003-06-08). Retrieved on 2008-10-23.
4. ^ "Mixing it all up". The Telegraph (2005-08-30). Retrieved on 2008-10-23.
5. ^ "Sony's Santiniketan". The Telegraph (2005-05-05). Retrieved on 2008-10-23.
6. ^ "Voicing his soul". Times of India (2002-06-24). Retrieved on 2008-10-23.
7. ^ "And the award goes to...". Times of India (2007-12-02). Retrieved on 2008-10-23.

External links

• Suresh Wadkar at the Internet Movie Database
• Sureshwadkar.com