Tere Bin - Dil To Bacha Hai Ji - Full Song *Sonu Nigam Ji*

Sonu Nigam Ji attends the birthday bash of Sulaiman Merrchant ...

Sulaiman Merchant brought in his birthday with a lavish bash for his industry friends.

Sonu Nigam Ji, Shankar Mahadevan, Shweta Pandit — certainly the head-turner of the night in her blue ensemble — were spotted in a great mood as they chatted and laughed with Sulaiman and his wife Reshma.

Sunidhi Chauhan, who has recently recorded an album with Enrique Iglesias, was spotted in an Indian ensemble (the colours not so fashionable unfortunately).

Singer Sona Mahapatra looked hot in a cleavage-showing blue number. Kailash Kher obviously had a busy night as he was also spotted at another event. Narendra Kumar took blue to an all new level with an electric shade of the colour.

Punit Malhotra, Lalit Pandit, Nachiket Barve, Rohit with wife Manasi Joshi Roy, Upen Patel and Lalit Pandit
were also in attendance. With so many singers under one roof, this turned out to be one musical birthday...

Sonu Niigaam Ji met father's musician colleague, Suresh Kothawala, facing termination because of the entertainment tax on live music; pledged support for the cause

As reported by MiD DAY ('Sonu steps up to save live music' December 22), singer Sonu Niigaam Ji had called a meeting of musicians yesterday evening at his home in Andheri, to discuss the recent entertainment tax introduced by the state government, which has left many musicians jobless.

One of the attendees was Suresh Kothawala, the 63-year-old who used to work together with Niigaam's father, Agam Kumar, in his early career.

Today, Kothawala earns his livelihood as a musician in a restaurant in Dahisar and could well be another victim of the entertainment tax.

In the meeting, which MiD DAY attended, Kothawala appealed to Niigaam for immediate help. He grumbled that Hindi singers like him would face the major impact.

"Niigaam's father and I used do recordings together. I have high hopes that he will be able to help us," he said.

Kothawala will be asked by his employers to leave if they have to pay heavy taxes for his performances at the restaurant.

In response, Niigaam promised Kothawala the support of his singer friends like Sunidhi Chauhan and Shaan among others for the movement.

He signed up for the signature campaign 'Please don't kill live music', initiated by musicians facing the axe, and has decided to get other renowned singers in the industry to endorse it as well.

"The issue came to my notice only when the father of one of my band members lost his job. That is when I realised that the situation needs to be addressed immediately," Niigaam said.

Niigaam added that he would personally look into the matter and will seek an appointment with the Revenue Minister asking him to repeal the tax.

"This is absolutely wrong on the part of the government. This is not about musicians but about preserving culture.

We will make sure that before the music industry dies, the government wakes up to a just solution," he said.

Roger Menezes, who has been working with Niigaam for eight years, is one among the few who have faced the cruelty of the recent tax.

His father was removed from a five star hotel in Andheri, after the hotel cited the new tax structure for sacking him.

"This is injustice to all of us. I work as a freelance musician with various city restaurants but the new tax has impacted my income," he said.

Menezes was accompanied by Meldan Dacunha, the owner of Soul Fry restaurant in Bandra. He is also the driving force behind Save Live Music campaign.

Sonu Ji step forward to save live music ...

The protest against the entertainment tax is gathering momentum as increasing number of people are coming forward to show their solidarity to musicians.

After politicians, it is now the chance of Bollywood singers to come out in support of artistes across the city who could be jobless very soon because of the unjust entertainment tax.


Fans gather at Bandra's amphitheatre on Sunday to protest the revision in the entertainment tax which could render several musicians jobless

Singers from the industry feel it is unfair and have also felt the impact of the entertainment tax as several of these artistes also work as part-time musicians in five-star hotels in the city.

Sonu Niigaam Ji has now decided to support the cause of 'save live music' and feels if action is not taken soon, live music could disappear from the city.

Speaking to MiD DAY, he said, "I was shocked to know that my band members became jobless last month. A lot of my band mates freelance as musicians at various clubs, hotels and bars."

Niigaam grumbled that now even a Neanderthal would know that no bar or hotel would pay such obnoxiously exorbitant amounts simply for a live band and would relieve them and replace them with recorded music.

Another scam?

Commenting on the entertainment tax, Niigaam elaborated further, "While the entire country is embroiled in scams which run into crores, these innocent musicians are being robbed of their daily bread and butter without any hoopla being created. This is a matter of grave concern."

Niigaam said that the entertainment tax is not only robbing the city of the live music scene in the country but also killing the growth of music in the city.

"Now, parents will think twice before letting their children pursue any kind of music. I request the government to ideate a kinder approach as this is a matter of our cultural heritage."

Niigaam has now called for a meeting of all musicians today, to decide the next move to save the music.

Meldan Dacunha, owner of Soul Fry in Bandra and also the driving force of 'save live music campaign', said, "We were waiting long for renowned musicians to extend their support to this cause.

The recent  tax imposed will indirectly impact the tourism of the state. Hope singers like Shaan, and the trio of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy come out in support of musicians too."

Narayan Alva, president of Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR), feels the move made by the government is terrible and needs to be addressed immediately.

"Why can't the government ask the industry for suggestions before imposing such rules?

Once the law is imposed it becomes difficult for a hotel owner or for the association to convince the government to repeal the law which has rendered many of them jobless," said Alva at the association's 31st Annual General Body meeting which was held at Kurla yesterday....

Sonu Nigam Ji to start a band soon.....

His title track from Tees Maar Khan, sung in 54 different voices, is getting him a standing ovation everywhere, be it the Lucknow Mohotsav, concerts in Hoogli and Belgaum or the Comedy Circus finale. “Everyone wants to hear me sing it live,” smiles Sonu Niigaam Ji, who’s recently returned from a concert tour in the UK.

Unfortunately, while on the All Is Well tour, he learnt that his mother is seriously unwell. Now, he has cancelled all commitments that would take him away from the country for longer than a couple of days.

He’s put his plans of cutting an English album on hold. In 2003, he had recorded Spirit Unfolding but before he could release it, he got busy with Indian Idol and could not go to the US to market it. “At the time it was a trendsetter but times changed. I want to move on,” sighs the singer. “I’d planned to collaborate with American artistes. But for that I have to spend time in the US.  This year I’ve been in India for Chhote Ustaad and now, I can’t think beyond praying for my mother who’s been detected with cancer.”

Sonu Ji had also planned to set up a band, Nirvan, with DJ Gaurav, guitarist and composer of Dus Kahaniyan and Knock Out: “We met a couple of months ago and decided to make music together. Our band will play at my solo concerts. We also want to come out with an album soon.”

Meanwhile, a unique album, Time Travel, with voice aligned with erstwhile singers in yesteryear Hindi songs, released on a couple of Nokia handsets. Encouraged by its 1 million sales, Niigaam wants to turn this the eight-song album into multiple CDs comprising 50 songs.

He’s also in talks for an Indianised X Factor, a TV talent show franchise that originated in UK. “All my musical shows, from Sa Re Ga Ma and Music Ka Maha Muqabala to Chhote Ustaad, have done extremely well. I like the format of X Factor and the people who are handling it. We’re in talks,” he admits.
He’s open to another season of Chhote Ustaad too. “During my concert in Karachi a bomb exploded, narrowly missing wiping out my family. It upset me but I can’t hold it against that country. It’s unethical to boycott any artiste,” he reasons, adding that Chhote Ustaad helped improving ties between India and Pakistan because unlike the opinionated 21-plus group, children don’t discriminate on community, nationality or creed.”

Sonu Ji himself is a proud father to Nevaan who at three sang with Lata Mangeshkar. “It was a ‘sargam’ that made it even more difficult,” he beams. “He’s a good boy who always wakes up with a smile. I’ll support him in anything he wants to do.”

Papa himself hasn’t been doing much playback. There was a time when he had two-three nominations during the award season. “I’m nominated every year… Main hoon naa…, Kabhi alvida na kehna…, All izz well…, Shukran Allah…. But there were no awards till The Best Live Performer (Male) Award recently. The business has changed but good songs that require emotions and expressions still come to me,” he asserts.
Meanwhile, the overwhelming response to his stage performance at a recent award function has prodded Niigaam into giving movies another thought. He acted in half-a-dozen films as a child artiste, including Pyaara Dushman (’80), Kamchor (’82) Ustaadi Ustad Se (’83) and Betaab (’83).

Later, there were the forgettable Jaani Dushman—Ek Anokhi Kahani (2002), Kaash Aap Humare Hote (2003) and Love In Nepal (2004). “Except for Love In Nepal that didn’t get a proper release, all the other movies didn’t match my stature. So, I’m waiting for the right project.”

Reportedly, he’s interested in Aankhon Aankhon Mein, about a blind singer? “Yeah, there’s that one and three other offers too,” he admits. “But right now my mother is top priority.”

Sonu Nigam Ji on a break .....

The world has come to a standstill for Sonu Nigam Ji. The singer has put a full-stop to all his assignments and has rushed to his Mumbai home after his mother, Shobha Ji, 61, was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer that has now spread to the kidney and her bones.

“The doctors are saying that she’s stage four (widely considered as the last stage of cancer). She used to complain about pain but we first thought that it was arthritis. She herself used to brush it off saying that it’s just arthritis due to old age...,” says Sonu Ji. But the pain never stopped; it’s been ten days that the doctors have confirmed cancer.

“Then we decided to get all the checks done and a biopsy revealed that she has cancer. We are all devastated...Nobody (the doctors) is saying encouraging things. We have now gone to an ayurvedic doctor. He has given me hope. I am still trying to come to grips with my reality. It’s real and it’s bad for me. My wife and my family understand what I am going through right now,” the singer adds.

Sonu Ji says that he will put a break to his work till he gets a grip of the situation.

“I am laughing, joking and trying to concentrate on my work but I only know what’s going on inside me. I just hope that I get to know of some solution that will put an end to all this... I am planning to take my mom to the US after this treatment,” he ends...

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Those of you who have a soul connection with me and my life, are requested with utmost humility, to keep my Mother Shobha Nigam, in your true prayers. The strength of your collective Prayers, will heal my Pure and Awesome Mother permanently I am sure. Thank you --- SONU NIGAM

Sonu Nigam's Malaysian Concert postponed ....

Due to unforeseen circumstances, renowned Bollywood playback singer Sonu Niigaam has deferred one of his upcoming concerts in Malaysia and rescheduled another to next year.

The Sonu Niigaam Malaysia Live In Concert show scheduled for this Sunday in Stadium Bandaraya Johor Baru has been scrapped, organisers have announced, reports the Star Online.

Also, the concert scheduled for next Tuesday (Dec 14) at the Sunway Lagoon Surf Beach, Bandar Sunway, has been rescheduled to Jan 22, show presenter Perfect Orion and organiser Narrowcast Universe said in a statement.

They also said that the Sunway Lagoon concert ticket could be used for the January show, adding that fans who bought tickets to the JB concert may either claim a refund or use them to attend the performance at Sunway Lagoon.

Winners of the ticket giveaway (contest featured in StarTwo on Dec 9) will be able to use their tickets for the Sunway Lagoon concert as well..

I'm being choosy --- Sonu Nigam ...

Singer Sonu Nigam sure takes his job as a mentor very seriously.

And that is precisely what dragged him into some unwelcome news recently, when he flew to the defence of his proteges Abhijeet Sawant and Prajakta Shukre, after the singers were accosted by a belligerant crowd and Nigam was forced to intervene to sort out the matter. Undrestandably reluctant to talk about the episode, Nigam nevetheless did let us in on his point of view, while in Lucknow to perform at the Lucknow Mahotsav. "Of course! These are young people and if they look to me for guidance, I will help them to the best of my ability. It's my moral responsibility," he reacts when we point out his involvment in the episode.

But controversies are not all that are happening in Sonu Nigam's life. In fact, he says he's a busy man who chooses work carefully now.

"I'm being choosy about my work," says Sonu Ji, and explains why: "I strongly believe that life mein quality honi chahiye. One should respect one's art and not over utilise and over expose it. That way one can maintain a quality and respect in one's profession, which is what I'm doing now."

And it is this mindset that perhaps led him to explore a new facet to himself recently, that of singing in 54 different voices for a track in the forthcoming "Tees Maar Khan". "Yes, that was very interesting. Initially Shirish (Kunder) had thought of making 10-15 singers sing the same track and I was supposed to be one of them. So he came to my studio to record the track and when I started singing he offered me to sing all of them. And then the track went on to be in 54 different voices right from females to different male voices. It was fun."

Another activity that keeps the singing star engaged and excited is the Singer's Association of India (SAI), formed this year in June, which he's an active part of. "Yes, it's been a dream come true for singers in Bollywood. It was actually Lataji's (Mangeshkar) dream but somehow she could not fulfill it. Along with me there's Shaan, Kunal Ganjawala and Alka Yagnik who are all a part of the association and we hope to help protect the interests of the singers in India."

Among the issues the organization plans to take up are ensuring that singers are given their due. "If you notice, there have been a few films like "Lakshya" where the names of singers wasn't mentioned, which I feel is not right. We can't be ignored as most movies do well because of their music. The association will bring in a moral code of conduct in the industry towards and for the singers. We'll also be helping old and out-of-work singers so that they can lead a life of dignity," he says.

'Kandahar' movie music out now ...

Army officer-turned-filmmaker Major Ravi's forthcoming film KANDAHAR that has completed its entire shoot in Ooty, Dehradun, Mumbai and Pune in a record 28 days will release on 9 December.

The film's distributors Max Labs is planning to release the film in over 100 screens in Kerala. 

The film that marks the coming together of Amitabh Bachchan and Mohanlal after Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag is the first Malayalam film starring Amitabh Bachchan.

A trilingual, being made in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu, the film revolves around the hijack of the IC-814 flight that happened a few years ago.

The story of the film centers on Ganesh Venkataraman who plays Bachchan's son and an angry young commando whose life undergoes a change when he meets Major Mahadevan, played by Mohanlal. The film also marks the debut of Kannada actress Ragini Dwivedi. 


Here's the tracklist of the movie ------


01. Aye Janani – Sonu Nigam Ji
02 Pagida Pagida – MG Sreekumar, Neeta Subhir
03 Ho Chupi Hai – Kailash Kher
04 Dheemee Dheemee – Sunidhi Chauhan
05 Aye Janani – Neeta Subhir
06 Ho Chupi – Kailash Kher
07 Tigde Tigde – Amit Kumar, Neeta Subhir

Music Director : Shameer Tandon
Director : Major Ravi
Producer : Sunil C Nair, Mohanlal
Lyrics : Vayalar Sarath

Aye Janani by Sonu Nigam Ji in Kandahar....

Sonu Niigaam roxxx at Luckhnow Mahotsav ...

On the last day of the Lucknow Mahotsav, a large number of people had gathered at the main pandal to watch the live performance of Bollywood singer, Sonu Nigam Ji.

"I have waited long for this day, to get a glimpse of Sonu Nigam Ji and watch his live performance. I just could not resist the opportunity. But then I think there are many like me who have been anxiously waiting to see him perform on stage,'' said Sneha Agarwal, a student.

Sonu Nigam enthralled the audience with his hit numbers for over two hours. However, owing to a few `over-enthusiastic' members of the audience and mediapersons, reportedly, the programme had to be stopped for some time.

Earlier, the event was rocked by Ritu Pathak, who sung item songs like `Munni badnaam hui', `Sheila ki jawani', and many others.

Unlike the previous years, the Lucknow Mahotsava was not extended any further. The news made majority of the stall owners unhappy. "I had thought that the fest would continue for another 3-4 days, enabling us to increase our sales. But, this year, no extension has been given. Since there was a brisk sale during the weekends, we had expected that the fest would be extended,'' said Salim, a stall-owner, selling woollens from Kashmir.

With the arrival of governor B L Joshi, who was the chief guest, crackers were burst. Joshi then declared the Lucknow Mahotsava to be closed. The governor congratulated the organisers for putting up a wonderful show and promoting art and culture of Lucknow. "I have read about the Mahotsav in the newspapers, and have come to know that it welcomed the farmers and set up a Kisan Mela. The Lakhnavi tehzeeb was evident during the fest,'' said Joshi.

Expressing his views on the absence of any kind of arrangement for the soldiers, Joshi said: "It is sad to see that there is no place given to the freedom fighter and the martyrs who have lost their lives in saving our nation and to those who today stand fearless to ensure that we live in peace and harmony. Something dedicated to them should also find a place in the mahotsav.''

Earlier, the situation at the VVIP gate, opposite Bijli Pasi Fort was tense. The security was tight and even two hours before the arrival of the governor, the VVIP gate was closed for the people....

Cheers!!

Sonu Niigaam Ji's Online Workshop ...

Sonu Nigam Ji, the noted playback singer of Bollywood is as famous online as he is offline for his very innovative techniques in singing and the kind of variety that he brings in by his tremendous power to sing and emulate just about any singer under the Sun.


This singer has already made a mark by singing in Tees Maar Khan in 40 to 50 different voice tones, and has also recently thought of conducting an online workshop on music. Thus, recently he had posted on his page that he would be conducting an online workshop on the 3rd of December, little knowing that it would create a great problem for him, as he will be flooded with so many messages from several people who will want to join the free work shop.

Reportedly, the singer was over whelmed by the tremendous response and thus he posted back that since the response was so over whelming, he would not be able to conduct it on the 3rd, as the venue would have to be much bigger than he had anticipated.

However the singer has been offered help by professionals in the field like Wiz crafts and GIMA or the Global Indian Music Awards group in going ahead with his idea in an organized and professional manner.
So if you happen to be one of those who wish to participate, keep an eye for more on this news.

Keep logged in ... 

"Sing With Sonu" Contest !!!

Two upcoming artistes will get the chance to sing with noted playback singer Sonu Niigaam during his concert here on Sunday.

According to a press release issued by Desitara.com, which has organised the concert at the Railway Sports Ground, the two singers were selected through a national-level talent hunt. Mona Bhatt from Mumbai and Priya Yadav from Bangalore won the ‘Sing with Sonu' contest organised by Desitara.com.

At the concert

Apart from these artistes, the former Mayor of Hubli-Dharwad Anilkumar Patil will also sing at the live concert, performing before Sonu Ji takes the stage.

The initiative is aimed at encouraging local talent, the release added. For tickets, call 97402-50081.

Cheers!!

Durga Jasraj's Help for Ailing Musicians ...

Pretty busy with the upcoming IMA Awards scheduled early next year, veteran musician Pandit Jasraj’s daughter Durga Jasraj is also making sure that other projects undertaken by her pet organization (Indian Music Academy) are getting her undivided attention. Durga is glad that her organization has been able to help old and ailing musicians in the country to get urgent medical attention and says that several corporate companies have come forward to providing financial help.

Durga says, “We get people writing in to us from several parts of the country telling us about the plight of needy musicians. Our organization has been looking after the welfare of such people and providing them with free medical attention.” She also adds the several trusts and doctors have been appointed to aid the case. “Under this same category, several open heard surgeries have been performed and several cases of dialysis are also been carried out in several hospitals. There are some dialysis patients who are undergoing treatment since the last one and half years. So, there is no cap on the number of years of treatment.”

Durga however says that to keep the entire process transparent, instead of handing the money for the medical treatment to the ailing musicians, IMA sends the money directly to the hospitals.Talking about the ongoing preparations for the IMA Awards, Durga says that 2,726 applications have reached the organisation that includes entries from artistes and singers like Shaan, Sonu Niigaam Ji, Shankar Mahadevan and many more. Talking about the unique feature of the awards, she says that this is the first time for any music award in the country that musicians don’t need to depend on their producers to send their music samples. “Instead they can do so directly,” she ends.