Sonu Niigaam Ji hits highest note for patriotic song ...

Music director Shamir Tandon can't stop raving about Sonu Niigaam Ji who hit the highest note for a patriotic track in the film Kandahar.. Directed by retired army officer, Major Ravi, the trilingual project in Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam, toplines Amitabh Bachchan and Mohanlal...

"The song in question is Naman Hai and Sonu Ji has hit the highest note in human vocal registry with an open throat effort without singing falsetto", explains Tandon...

Technically the last octave is the highest possible note that can be humanly hit.. And its usually achieved while singing falsettowhen the voice begins to vibrate and shrill..

"Sonu Ji was unaware of what He had done.. Very few people in the world can go this far.. The late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was an exception but even he sounded shrill.. Sonu Ji sustained the pitch admirably and the heaviness of His voice added a melancholic touch to the song," exults Tandon..

Naman Hai, is being penned by lyricist Sandeep Nath who also wrote verses for Tandon's earlier soundtracks for movies like Page 3 and Corporate.. "Ravi wanted lines that weren't overdramatic and he wanted a hindi synonym of salaam that could be used across the three languages.. Naman is another word for salute in hindi," says Tandon...

This soft rock number, complete with electric violin, guitar distortion and live drums though in Hindi, will be used in all three versions of the film.. The other songs will be dubbed in the respective languages...

So guys just wait for such a historical song and another mileston achieved by the Legend.....

Cheers!!

Sonu Niigaam Ji's tribute to pop legend MJ !!!

Bollywood playback singer Sonu Niigaam Ji, who is a huge fan of late pop legend Michael Jackson, said he is working on a tribute for Jackson with his brother Jermaine Jackson.




'I am working on a song which will be my tribute to Michael Jackson. This will be the first tribute song to the singer with one of his family members. After the song is recorded, I will work on a music video and release it soon,' Sonu Ji told reporters here...

'I am very happy that Jermaine agreed to work on the song with me,' he added...

Jackson died June 25 last year. On his first death anniversary, 92.7 Big FM will play the songs of the King of pop all day and Niigaam will be on air dedicating his favourite Jackson songs.



'Micheal Jackson was a great artist and as an artist it is my duty to appreciate his commendable work. He changed a lot of things in the music industry and I don't think any singer around the world is left untouched by the kind of work he has done,' said Niigaam.

The singer, who has been the voice behind chartbuster songs like 'Kabhi alvida na kehna', 'Saathiya', 'Kal ho naa ho', 'Dil chahta hai' and 'Sandese aate hain' among others also revealed that he was in Los Angeles last year when the news of Jackson's demise broke.

'I was just two miles away from Michael Jackson's house where he died. When we got to know the news. I, my wife and my son, we went to his house in the evening and lit a candle there. So many people were standing there,' he revealed.

On the professional front, Sonu Ji informed that he is currently working on an album on world music.

'I'm not singing too many film songs nowadays because I am not getting the kind of songs I want and I am not willing to do mediocre work. I am working on a world music album currently because I want to focus and encourage non-film music as well,' he said...

Keep logged in for more info...

Sonu Niigaam Ji at the Raajneeti success party !!!

The rains did not stop B-towners from attending Prakash Jha's Raajneeti success party at a suburban hotel in Mumbai on Thursday evening. While Katrina was unable to attend as she is shooting in Spain, other cast members including Arjun Rampal, Ranbir Kapoor and Manoj Bajpai attended. Arjun came with his wife Mehr while Ranbir was accompanied by his dad Rishi and mom Neetu Kapoor. Others who joined in the celebrations were Sonu Niigaam Ji, Gul Panag, Alyque and daughter Shazahn Padamsee, Amrita Rao and Madhur Bhandarkar...

Cheers!!

Sonu Niigaam Ji sings for Aisha !!!

Aisha is an adaption of Jane Austen's classic novel, Emma. The movie which stars Sonam Kapoor as the main protagonist, is expected to release August 6th, 2010


Music releasing soon all over !!



CAST:

Sonam Kapoor Abhay Deol Ira Dubey Amrita Puri Cyrus Sahukar

Arunoday Singh Lisa Haydon



PRODUCERS:Anil Kapoor Rhea Kapoor Ajay Bijli Sanjeev K Bijli

DIRECTOR: Rajshree Ojha

MUSIC: Amit Trivedi LYRICIST: Javed Akthar



Tracklist:

01 - Pyaar Hai Tumse - Sonu Niigaam Ji (03:25)

02 - Lets PARTY! - Andrea Jeremiah, Priyadarshini

Nithyashree Mahadevan, Suzzane D%Mello, Clinton Cerejo (05:56)

03 - Tumhare Bina - Amit Kumar, Nihira Joshi, Hema Sardesai (04:12)

04 - Delhi Ki Maharani - Anushka Manchanda (03:04)

05 - Gehri Tanhai - Shabbir Kumar & Vasundra Das (04:50)

06- Gali Gali Mein Pyaar - Mohit Chauhan & Shweta Shetty,

07 - Delhi Ki Maharani (Disco Mix) - Remo Fernandez & Anushka Manchanda 04:44)

08 - Tumhare Bina (Lounge Mix) - Shaan & Sapna Mukherjee (03:01)

Sonu Niigaam Ji and Bickram Ghosh at work

Guess what Bickram Ghosh and Sonu Niigaam Ji were doing recently? Well, the musicians were penning lyrics for their forthcoming album! Bickram, who returned home from Mumbai on Sunday, is only too happy to have finished penning seven songs with Sonu Ji.

 “Our untitled album is a very challenging project, both in terms of rhythm and sound. Sonu Ji and I decided that it would be easier for us to pen appropriate lyrics for the songs since both of us are so much into the project. Sonu Ji’s Hindi is exceptionally good and English is my forté,” says Bickram, who has earlier penned a Hindi song (zara si yeh dhoop hai) for his album titled Samaa and a portion of an English song for the music of Dulal Lahiri’s forthcoming film titled Brishtir Chhayachhobi.

While the idea of spending hours on end at Sonu’s gym to write the lyrics was fun, Bickram insists that the decision to turn lyricist was, by no means, governed by any dearth of good lyricists for basic albums. “We’ve such great lyricists in Gulzar, Javed Akhtar and Prasoon Joshi in Mumbai. In Kolkata, we have the likes of Sanjiv Tiwari and Rakesh Tripathi. But Sonu and I felt that we needed to pen the lyrics ourselves because we were talking about issues that have been important to us,” says Bickram about the album that might have a song by American singer-songwriter Chaka Khan.

While on Sonu Ji, is Bickram aware about the debate over the former’s new ponytail look? “Oh! I don’t see that as a problem at all. I didn’t even bother to ask him anything about it even though he was flaunting his new look when I met him in Mumbai. In India, people do raise a lot of hue and cry about the changing looks of men, but hardly bat an eyelid when women experiment with their looks. I’ve spent too many years in the West to not appreciate any radical ideas,” he says. Does he see himself ever flaunting two ponytails? “I might not,” he says, as a parting shot, adding, “It all depends on the comfort zone of the individual who will have the attitude to carry it off. Twelve years ago when I sported a goatee and wore my Gandhi glasses while performing, even Pt Ravi Shankar had his reservations. But I thought it was funky. When I started wearing accessories that I’d got from Africa, people thought I was a loony since it was hugely experimental for any classical musician to do such a thing then. Today, all this has become too commonplace to even merit any discussion.”

Sonu Niigaam Ji returns with Chhote Ustaad on STAR PLUS !!!

It’s difficult to pinpoint where Sonu Niigaam Ji’s loyalty lies. After all He’s been on various channels... He started his TV career as host of Zee TV’S ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ series then moved on to adjudicate Indian Idol. However, he’s made his appearance as a guest on most channels. The singer, who of late, has been keeping a low profile, will return to television as a judge on the Star Plus reality show ‘Chhote Ustaad’. Produced by Sai Baba Telefilms, ‘Chhote Ustaad’ will soon see its second season...


Apart from Sonu Ji, Star Plus has also signed the Pakistani singer, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan as the second judge. Auditions for the show have already begun. This time the show will feature kids from across the border as well. An Indian and Pakistani child will form a pair. The show will follow ‘Zara Nachke Dikha 2’...

Star Plus spokesperson refused to confirm anything. Interestingly, is learnt that a few days back, Star Plus had put up a banner of the show which carried dates for the audition as well a picture of Niigaam and Khan.
Sonu Niigaam did not reply to our text message. Sonu Ji had last adjudicated ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs’ while Khan was seen inthe show, ‘Junoon’.
The inaugural season of ‘Chhote Ustaad’ was held in 2007 and was won by Aishwarya Majumdar..

Cheers!!

All my fans and media should concentrate on my singing -- Sonu Niigaam Ji !!

Popular singer Sonu Niigaam Ji is flabbergasted by the criticism he has received from his fans and the media for sporting two ponytails and an unkempt look. He says people should rather concentrate on his singing than his looks.
“One day you all will know that whatever I do with my hair, is to wake up people from a slumber. You guys pay too much attention to swim suits, fashion, hairstyles, exterior stuff, etc,” Sonu Ji posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.
The singer, who received negative comments after he was seen sporting a french beard and two ponytails at an event in Mumbai wednesday, has taken the help of the online platform to nag the media and those who commented on his looks.
“I know, they (media) will never write good about me, even if I’m looking good. Would they? Have you seen any article praising my earlier hairstyle? Nothing against media, I respect their and some of your (fans) opinions, but do you ever talk about mediocre, or bad singing or music the way you highlight hair-dos?,” he posted.
Sonu Ji, who has lent vocals to some of the Bollywood’s best known songs like “Panchhi Nadiyaan”, “Tanhaayee” and title tracks of “Saathiya” and “Kal Ho Naa Ho”, apart from many others, says the media must write about better aspects related to music.
“Media and you (fans) must talk about average singing, music doing the rounds and genuine talent sitting at home waiting for work. Underestimating others and throwing your opinions on others is the easiest thing one can do. For a change, look at the more important things,” he added.
The 36-year-old also claims that people in India have a preconceived notion that styling is not for singers and stressed how excessive and bizarre styling is the thing for singers in the West.
“Hairstyles and fashion, is the jaageer (property) of some other fraternity and not singers in this country (India). It takes guts to do the things I have done through my career as a singer. Musicians in other countries get their lips, cheek, eyebrows and private parts pierced and tattooed,” he posted.
Niigaam, who strongly supports his current hairstyle, says he is the only singer who dares to experiment with his look.
“Don’t expect me to change. You change if you can, I won’t. I have been like this from my childhood - crazy and courageous,” he posted.
As a response to those who have criticised his look, he said: “I’ll have a funkier hairstyle soon.”

Enjoy and keep logged in for all the updates !!!

Sonu Niigaam Ji out for the party at People's Magazine Most Beautiful Bash !!!

While Kareena Kapoor, named 'India's Most Beautiful Woman' by People magazine, was nowhere to be seen, other B-town celebs came out to party at People magazine's 'Most Beautiful' bash last night at Tote. Sushmita Sen was there, as was Soniya Mehra, Kangana Ranaut, Dia Mirza and Sonu Niigaam Ji...
 
Do Knot Disturb actress Sushmita Sen, who opted for a blue Alexander McQueen dress, was all smiles on the red carpet as the posed for our photogs alongside a glowing Dia Mirza dressed in an orange ruffled dress, cute!!

Kites actress Kangana Ranaut sported a blue one-shoulder top with a black skirt and a silver clutch, not to mention her signature locks!!

Last, but definitely not least, superstar Sonu Niigaam Ji went for a very interesting look and a new, equally interesting hairdo!!

Cheers!!

Sonu Niigaam Ji at JK Pathak's Party !!!

That’s what we heard at this party thrown by JK Pathak and Harrish, who’s turned director recently...

That’s because the guests were greeted by the sight of a commode as soon as they entered the party zone! Harrish was heard telling people how he has added an extra ‘R’ in his name for good luck. Sonu Niigaam Ji, was yet again seen at a do that had nothing to do with music. Sonu Ji and Shakti Kapoor were spotted bonding with each other. Ravi Kissen came in a little late. Anusmriti Sarkar and Bappi Lahiri were engaged in a long conversation. Johny Lever, as usual, regaled everyone with a lot of jokes and kept the laughter coming along with Manoj Tiwari. Raza Murad caught up with Shravan, Rahul Bhatt and Dr Ashok Chopra. Jennifer Mayani and Rehan Shah were their usual chirpy selves....

Stars Join Hands to FIGHT POVERTY..!!!!!!!!

A host of Bollywood celebrities will take part in a United Nations Millennium Campaign video to mobilize the masses to fight poverty.

A.R. Rahman, Gulzar, Sonu Niigaam Ji, Sunidhi Chauhan, Jaideep Sahni, Kailash Kher and Ranbir Kapoor will come together for the special video which will also feature Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh and Pakistani model-turned-actress Imaan Ali of Khuda Kay Liye fame.

Produced by Tandav Films and directed by Meghna Gulzar, the video is a public service production.

The video will essentially focus on the global advocacy campaign called “Stand Up And Take Action” and concentrate on popularizing Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“The objective of this video is to make people aware and to make the government wake up and take action to achieve the 8 MDGs,” said Raaj Hiremath, managing director, Tandav Films. “Celebrities from all walks of life talk hard core facts in a communicative manner in the video to reach people.”

Sonu Niigaam Ji on Airtel Voice Blog ...

Telecom major Bharti Airtel on Sunday gave social networking a voice with the launch of its voice-blogging service, allowing millions of subscribers to share recorded voice updates with their friends and family members.

The 'Airtel Blog', which was officially unveiled on Sunday, had already roped in two million users in the first three months of its soft launch and is currently the world's fastest growing voice-oriented social networking service, Bharti Airtel said in a statement.

Through the service, Airtel mobile users can share recorded voice updates with their friends, family, or fans, adding a voice to social networking, it added.

"Perhaps one of the fastest growing Value-Added Services in our stable in recent times, Airtel Blog is taking the concept of micro-blogging to an entirely new level," Bharti Airtel President (Mobile Services) Atul Bindal said.

Airtel said celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Arshad Warsi, Lara Dutta, Neetu Chandra, VJ Ranvijay and Sonu Niigaam Ji are using their Airtel Blog to share voice updates with their fans, who receive SMS updates of the posts...

Airtel said standard airtime charges would be applied for the service...

Sonu Niigaam Ji in Multilingual Collabrations ...

Warsaw : Polish girls are enamoured by Indian classical dances. Bollywood has inspired 30... Polish nationals, mostly young girls, to attend classes every week to learn the Bharatnatyam and Kathak.
Kinga Malec, who took professional training in both dance forms in India, imparts lessons in Poland. “Much of the interest is owing to Bollywood movies,” said the 22-year-old Polish national...

Malec, who is also a professionally-trained ballet and ski dancer, added, “Bollywood movies and music are becoming popular among Poles, especially youngsters. Many of them come to us

after watching a Hindi movie to learn classical dance steps
performed in song sequences in the film.”

Anna Baliszewska, 20, who learns Kathak from Malec, said she decided to learn Bollywood and Indian classical dance forms after watching Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham five years ago...

“The grace in the execution of steps and the degree of difficulty in performing them fascinated me the most,” she said...

Malec’s compatriot, Kalina Duwadzinska, 24, who was in India for a year to take lessons in Kathak and Bharatnatyam, said she was hooked to the art of telling a story through dance and expressions.

Though there is a significant rise in interest in classical dance forms, Bollywood dancing remains the most popular in Poland. “We have at least 50 students per class,” said Malec...

“While classical dance forms are more disciplined and connected to the soul, Bollywood dancing is energetic and easier to learn,” said Magdalena Inglot, 25, who teaches Bollywood and classical dances in the country...

Apart from conducting classes, Malec and her friends also perform Indian classical dances during shows and events. Malec’s younger brother Piotr, 17, has even learnt to play the tabla.

The Bollywood extravaganza has hooked Polish celebrities too. Singing and dancing sensation Natasza Urbanska, who won the ‘No 1 Polish Performer’ award in 2010, is keen to use Bollywood movies as a platform to achieve global success...

Rajesh Motwani, a Polish citizen of Indian origin and owner of Eurobatt batteries, who manages Urbanska’s career in India and Asia, said, “We are in talks with leading film producers in Bollywood to cast her in a movie.” The gorgeous Urbanska is already a rage in Poland. She is collaborating with playback singer Sonu Niigaam Ji for a multilingual song...

The growing popularity of Bollywood movies has also kindled interest in Polish society about other facets of Indian culture, including food and Hindi. The fad for Indian food is such that in the past year-and-a-half, over a dozen Indian restaurants have opened up in Warsaw, the Polish capital.

Ashok Mannani, owner of the popular chain Namaste India, said the success of Bollywood movies in Poland had a lot to do with the rise of the Indian restaurant business.

“The Poles particularly love butter chicken, chicken masala and rogan josh. Of late, there has been growing demand for starters like Punjabi samosas and mango lassis,” he said.

Apart from dining at Indian restaurants, many Polish citizens are learning how to cook Indian food. And many are queuing up at the department of Indology in various Polish universities to learn Hindi...

Celeb moms get together to rechristen their kiddo club !!

The moms were there in full force for their kids—we are talking about Rhea Pillai, Priya Dutt, Renu Bhandarkar and Madhurima Nigam gathered in a small private party at Bandra to celebrate the re-christening of their kid’s club. Well, even though it was a few steps away from Mannat, we didn’t find Shah Rukh Khan there..

 “I have always been indebted towards them (the kid’s club) for taking care of my kid. It has been a pleasure being here and interacting with you all. My daughter just loves to be here and I am no different,” says Rhea Pillai about her daughter Aiyana Paes.

But it was Priya Dutt who was most ecstatic about being there and more so because her younger son is growing up to be a member of this exclusive circle.
“I have always toldthe owner of the club that she is doing a great job taking care of our kids. The children obviously love to be here,” she says, as she watched a cute video being played on the screen with all the children.
The star attraction of the evening was of course Nevaan Nigam (Sonu Niigaam Ji’s son) who was busy hiding in the arms of her mother after seeing the video.
The other star kids who are a part ofthis club are children of Jyoti Mukherjee, Nimisha Iyengar, Raveena Tandon, Karisma Kapur and Anu Diwan..

Cheers!!

Sonu Niigaam Ji to judge Chote Ustaad Season !!!

The true rockstar of bollywood industry Sonu Niigaam Ji will be a judge on Voice Of India Chote Ustaad this season... Isn't that a great news guys!!

Have a look !!

Keep logged in for more info....

Sonu Niigaam Ji & Bickram Ghosh collaborates !!

One of the great things about music, what infuses life into sounds and gives birth to endless possibilities, is the whole aspect of collaboration. And here is the latest. Veecon has launched a mega project with two big names from the world of music: A singer who needs no introduction, Sonu Niigaam Ji and percussionist Bickram Ghosh, to create a world music project which boasts of some of the biggest international names as guest artists. And theirs will be a symbiotic relationship, freewheeling and embodying all that is positive and should make a musical prioject stand out. While Sonu Niigaam Ji is composing melodies, Bickram Ghosh will weave in world music sounds and rhythms to create their own aural tapestry.

Bickram, how did this collaboration come about?
l I met Sonubhai for the first time when I requested him to sing a song for an upcoming film Gumshuda, for which I scored the music. I had always admired his powerhouse talent and having met and interacted with him, I found him to be a lovely person as well. We found (sic) we had a connection. The interaction that followed resulted in our feeling that we could take our connection to the next level. We were both looking at breaking new ground and felt that being musicians from two diverse genres, we could bring something substantial to the table. With what we have already created, I think we are onto an amazing sound .

Sonu, what attracted you to this venture?
l Bickram has been introduced to me by my longtime friend and colleague Manisha Dey and I found him to be a person who is not just a great artiste but also free from insecurities and negativity, an essential characteristic requirement for any one I’d collaborate with because I believe if the process is not fulfilling, the product is not worth it. Four years back, I was a musical wholeseller like most Indian musicians are, but due to the partial hiatus I took from playback singing, having stayed in America a lot lately, bonding with musicians there and having upgraded my music sensibilities manyfold, I realized that composing comes too naturally to me. I found this collaboration as an opportunity to create and sing music that is far more classy and deep than what we hear usually. I suggested Jackie Vanjari from India and Bickrambhai brought the famous American drummer Greg Ellis (Iron Man, Matrix, 300) on board. Its like magic and the process of recording is like a divine fusion of various perspectives of music.

So what kind of sound are you two creating Bickram?
l The idea is to bring an eclectic mix of artists from across the globe who will help to create a premise of virtuosity and variety. We are also looking at achieving a comfortable mix of acoustic and electronic sounds. We want people to move with us into a musical zone where the brilliance of performance combines with the excitement of composition which is free from the dictat of film.

And Sonu, is your trip into world music a lasting one or one-off?
l Just like interracial sex results in creating an altogether new race of mix breeds, so is the music today. Music lovers and musicians consciously thrive upon different sounds and wish to rediscover music, stretch its boundaries. So all music is world music today. I only thrive to be associated with good music...

Cheers!!

Sonu Niigaam reinvents Himself --- Vishal Dadlani !!

Composers are increasingly turning singers for other music directors and belting out chartbusters..  


One of the best music directors of the bollywood industry, Vishal Dadlani explains that reinvention is the norm of the day. “Apart from composers roping in new singers, the present lot of singers are constantly reinventing themselves. Take for instance Sonu Niigaam who has been around for a really long time but still surprises everyone with his effortless ability to reinvent himself.”

Blame it on the comfort factor or a new-age trend, composers donning the singer’s hat for other music directors is something that’s likely to stay. But we are not complaining as long as we get to hear some good music...

Keep logged in for more info!!

Sonu Niigaam Ji's performance !!!

Sonu Niigaam Ji performed in Mumbai !!!

Sonu Niigaam Ji -- A true rockstar performed in Mumbai recently..

It’s been quite some time now that Mumbai has seen Sonu Niigaam Ji performing live on stage, so it was with a lot of excitement that they looked forward to Monday evening.

The singer enthralled a housefull audience at the occasion of the platinum jubilee year of a bank. And needless to say, music lovers could not get enough of Sonu’s melodious voice, even after he mesmerised them for almost two hours. The crowd was seen singing along with him as he sang some of his most famous numbers like Har Ghadi Badal Rahi, Shukranallah and Bijuria. He even sang a medley of old songs including Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua and Bol Radha Bol. “Music is everything and a person who fills his life with music will always be happy, so enjoy!” he said before starting the show. Giving him company on stage was Gunjan Singh, who too belted out some hummable songs like Raat Baaki Baat Baaki and Dance Pe Chance Maar Le...

Stay tuned for more updates...

Sonu Niigaam Ji at the launch of movie Aaj Bhi !!!

Sonu Niigaam Ji  was present at the music launch of the movie "Aaj Bhi" and announcement of film 'Haydrabadi Damad' along with birthday celebration of famous bollywood Raju Kariya....