Sonu Nigam takes part in rally to commemorate 26/11 Terror attacks ...

Mumbai: Thousands of locals, including hundreds of school and college students, took part in a peace marathon in Mumbai on Sunday to commemorate the lives lost during the 26/11 2008 attacks in the city.

The marathon was organised by the Anti Terrorist Front to raise awareness on how to combat militancy and attracted several celebrities including Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam, actor Suneil Shetty and Indian wrestler `The Great Khali`.

"We need to be their eyes and ears and it is not easy to break this nation. That is why even after so many incidents people get up the next morning and have come here together to fight for a cause. This is a big thing," said Shetty.

The November 2008 rampage, which began on November 26 and lasted until November 29, killed 166 people and wounded at least 308.

Khali said: "I just want to say that the incident that took place in Mumbai should never occur again."

The attacks were more than 10 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across Mumbai, by Islamist attackers who came from Pakistan.

Eight of the attacks occurred in South Mumbai: at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital (a women and children`s hospital), the Nariman House Jewish community centre, the Metro Cinema, and a lane behind the Times of India building and St. Xavier`s College.

There was also an explosion at Mazagaon, in Mumbai`s port area, and in a taxi at Vile Parle.

Sonu Nigam : Rebels like me are not respected or accepted ...

He's earned his share of (in)famous publicity, courtesy his rash and abrasive attitude. Sonu Nigam, thankfully accepts all that flak coming his way; his irascible retort to sporting long unruly hair (and sometimes, two ponytails!) his dressing style and more; his rants on Twitter and assorted details provided ample grist for gossip.

"Rebels like me are not generally respected or accepted," carps Nigam in a media quote. "People didn't value R. D. Burman or Kishore Kumar when they were alive. People also made fun of Michael Jackson when he was alive. They were all rebels."

The rebel side of him, however, seems to have been sorted out by spouse Madhurima. "My wife understood me, but a bit late," admits Nigam in a magazine comment. "We had problems, we still have problems, because we are both assertive and independent people. Every marriage goes through its ups and downs, but marriage as an institution has to be reworked."

Sonu Nigam to be awarded K. L. Saigal Award ...

Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar will be honoured with the K.L. Saigal award by Savitri Vikas Samiti here on November 17.

According to Anita Srivastava, from Savitri Vikas Samiti, Lata will receive the award from music legend M.Z. Khayyam, at a ceremony to be held at Siri Fort Auditorium.

The 82-year-old will also be felicitated with lifetime achievement award along with her brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar and the brother-sister duo will be present to receive their awards.

Others to be honoured for their achievements by Savitri Vikas Samiti are veteran actor Jeetendra, Prem Chopra and Sanjay Kapoor; composer Ravindra Jain, singers Penaz Masani, Jagjit Kaur, Sonu Nigam and Aakriti Kakkar; and late filmmaker Surendra Kapoor.

The event will have musical performance by Prem Bhatia and Group.

"I am glad to be able to organise this programme. It is a magical evening with legends like Lataji. K.L Saigal awards are given in memory of Saigal saab and he will be remembered always," Bhatia said.

Sonu Nigam Live In Concert in Pune ...

Sonu Nigam will be performing Live with his band in Pune on 19th Nov, 2011.. So be there guys.. . Don't miss it...

Sonu Nigam rocked Dubai once again ....

With songs such as Kal Ho Na Ho (Kal Ho Na Ho), In Lamhon Ke Daaman Mein (Jodha Akbar), All Izz Well (3 Idiots), Tanhai (Dil Chahta Hai) and Sanchi Sanchi (Dabangg) in his list, Sonu Niigaam entertained Dubai on Monday evening at a houseful Madinat Jumeirah Arena. 

The show, organised by Shashi and Naresh Oberoi of Oberoi Middle East Events, also marked the tenth successful show with the singer, who thanked them for the immense part they've played in his success in the UAE.

Unlike most Bollywood events, the show, surprisingly, started on time. Ten minutes after the stipulated start time, an audio-visual presentation with clips from Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai re-introduced the audience to the achievements of the evening's performer. And soon after the stage was taken by Gunjan, a little known support singer of Niigaam's. Mansi, the compere, couldn't decide between her beauty or singing talents.

Beauty aside, as a singer she is seriously underrated, as she smoothly glided from a soulful romantic oldie into Sheila Ki Jawaani (Tees Maar Khan) and the English version of the A.R. Rahman blockbuster Jai Ho.

Sonu Nigam paid a tribute to Bhupen Hazarika at Qutab Festival ....

Day 2 at the Qutub Festival 2011 witnessed the Bollywood stalwart Sonu Nigam in concert at the iconic backdrop of Qutub Minar.

Post announcement his voice reverberated before he appeared from behind the smoke screen. And the 6000-capacity Qutub complex in Mehrauli, which was bursting at

the seams, went into a frenzy to see their star perform. Clad in Indo-western attire, black from top to toe the singer subtly merged with his surroundings.

Delhi CM Sheila Dixit graced the event and Nigam acknowledged her presence by saying "I met Sheila Dixit ji for the first time in 2005 in Australia during Commonwealth Games."

The first song he sang was the killer from SRK-Preity-Saif  starrer Kal Ho Na Ho.

His voice boomed "Namaste Delhi, feels good to be back home, to play for the home crowd." And the excitement was all too palpable. Nigam's fans were dancing, jiving, clicking away with their cell phones and reacting to each syllable their demi-god uttered.

Next came a popular track from Saif-Kareena starrer Kurbaan.



In the middle of his gig Nigam paid a tribute to music legend Bhupen Hazarika, who passed away on November 5, saying "this is not Hazarikia ji's song but I'm dedicating this to him."

Sonu Nigam gets ready to rock Dubai.....

Indian singing icon Sonu Nigam, the ‘Lord of the Chords’, returns to Dubai for his 10^th concert, Shukran Dubai 2011, at the Madinat Jumeirah Indoor Arena on November 7.

The show will be a four-hour Bollywood spectacular, as Sonu brings his 30-member troupe, specially choreographed with Bollywood dancers and musicians, to celebrate Eid.  

“I am thinking about what to do,” said the performer. “I believe that whatever man does, it is the divine help that makes him successful. I am completing 10 years of outstanding performances here, but I can’t take the credit,” Sonu added.

“This year, I have put my best effort with new songs, a new format and new musicians. Still, I have to surrender to the divine power. People come to the concerts for good music and good vocals, I will try to convey that as long as I can,” he told City Times in an exclusive interview.

Back in India, Sonu has sung for upcoming Hindi films Krrish 2, a superhero sci-fi, and Joker, a fantasy adventure film in 3-D. He has also done The X-Factor India TV show as a judge in addition to his regular concerts.

Sonu specially mentioned the film Jal, for which he is composing music with famous tabla player/percussionist Bickram Ghosh. This is the first time the duo are composing for a Bollywood film. The title song is a unique composition, for which they have used ragas like Marwa and Puriya, combined with rare musical instruments like the Armenian Duduk. The entire song was created in a day. The film, starring Purab Kohli, Tannishtha Chatterjee and Kirti Kulhari, is directed by actor-turned-director Girish Malik. The storyline is about how people in Kutch go to great lengths to save water.

“You must listen to the music of Jal. It is melodious, meaningful, sensible music,” Sonu said. The release is scheduled for March-April 2012.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING PICKY

Sonu is known for his melodious songs and for being selective in what he wants to sing.  “Most of them are melodious, but I can say that I have done all kinds of songs, even the ‘badmashi’ type. However, I select my songs properly,” he said.

“Recently, A.R. Rahman wanted me to sing a song. The lyrics of the song were terrible. I declined, with respect. Another singer has done that song. You can see, I am so cautious about my work. The legacy of the songs has to be built,” Sonu said.

But are the listeners’ attitude towards music and lyrics shifting from melody to “street” language?

“The audience are not to be blamed. They are hungry for music. They take what we give them. It is the musicians who are the ones who bring about change, whether for the good or for the bad,” Sonu explained.

“When I did the songs for Deewana, everybody liked them. If I sing dirty songs or hurt the religious feelings of people, some will say it is good work and some will say it is bad work.  Both, good and bad music have their market. It is up to what we give to our audience,” he continued.

“Our job is to give good music to the people, but we must also respect the other people.”

EVENT DETAILS

What: Sonu Nigam concert

When: Monday, November 7

Where: Madinat Jumeirah Indoor Arena

Tickets: Ranging from Dhs200 to Dhs2,000, are available at the Madinat Jumeirah Theatre box office (04 366 6546)

Sonu Nigam at Talent Hunt 2010 Australia...

Sing & Dance' with Super Star The Great Sonu Nigam

This hunt is for a Super Singer and a Super Dancer from Australia/NZ/Fiji Islands and other parts of South Asia Pacific.
The Winners will get... A lifetime opportunity to perform with the legendary Bollywood singing Superstar ‘Sonu Nigam’ on stage with him in Sydney Concert on 6 April 2012
During his forthcoming Tour to Australia
Entries open now!

For more info : http://www.cinestarevents.com.au/cinestarevents/register/#!prettyPhoto/0/

Sonu Nigam Live at Qutub Fest in Delhi....

Popular Bollywood singers Sunidhi Chauhan, Sonu Niigaam, Shreya Ghoshal, Sukhwinder and KK will sing at the Qutub Festival 2011 to be held here Nov 4-8.

The event, organised by the Punjabi Academy, under the aegis of Delhi government’s department of art, culture and languages, will be held at Qutub Complex, near Qutub Minar.
Prior to 2010, the festival used to focus on Sufi and classical music and dance. Last year, the format of the festival was changed to include other genres as well.

“This year, we shall be focusing on contemporary music and displaying the performances of some of the best singers in this genre,” Rawel Singh, secretary, Punjabi Academy, said in a press statement.
“To make the experience a lively and refreshing one, each day of the five-day festival will showcase a different singer and a unique concert,” added Singh.

Entry to the festival will be through free passes that can be availed from Dilli Haat (INA), Dilli Haat (Pitampura), Delhi Tourism Office (Baba Kharak Singh Marg) and Punjabi Academy (Motia Khan).