Legendary singer Udit Narayan dreamed of becoming a singer as a child, but his father felt that a farmer's son could not become a singer. His father Harekrishna Jha wanted him to take up agriculture or consider becoming a doctor and engineer. Udit Narayan's mother Bhuvaneshwari Devi is a folk singer. He had faith in his son that one day his son would become a great singer.
Today Udit Narayan has sung 25 thousand songs in 40 different languages. Even today at the age of 69, his voice has the same freshness. Udit says, 'My mother is 106 years old. Even today they sing at home. I always feel inspired listening to his singing.
Today Udit Narayan is celebrating his 69th birthday. On this occasion he had a special conversation with Frontpage Insights. Find out what he said during the conversation, in his own words…
Learned to sing by listening to songs on the radio- Udit Narayan 'I used to listen to the songs of Lata Mangeshkar, Rafi Sahab and Kishore Kumar on the radio. At that time the radio was found only in the house of the village head or some big man. I learned to sing by listening to songs on the radio from a distance. My mother used to sing in village houses. I got the inspiration to sing from him.'
Father wanted to become a doctor or an engineer 'My father was very angry with my singing. They used to say that you should study and become a doctor and an engineer. You are a farmer's son. It is not possible for a farmer's son to go to Mumbai and become a singer. So this dream is useless. Singing for a hobby is a different thing, but where can you make a career out of it?'
He used to earn 4-5 rupees by singing songs in fairs 'I used to sing in small village fairs. My elder brother Digambar Jha used to carry me on his shoulders across the river to fairs. I used to get 4-5 rupees. A person can get a lot of happiness with this much money. He used to sing even during school holidays. I studied till 10th from Bihar, but I didn't know what to do in life.'
Started with Nepal Radio Meanwhile, he went to sing at a minister's place. He was very impressed after hearing the song. He said if you want to sing Maithili folk songs for Nepal radio then I can recommend. After that I moved to Kathmandu and joined radio. I studied there in 12th standard. Singing on the radio during the day. He used to study at night and sing in five star hotels. From there I used to get some money, which was enough to live on. In this way 7-8 years passed there.
I couldn't believe it when I got an opportunity with Rafi Sahab. 'Come to Mumbai in 1978 and took classical music lessons from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan here. There were evening classes. During the day he used to visit all the music directors at their studios. I got my first opportunity to sing a song in the film 'Unnis-Bis' with veteran singer Mohammad Rafi Sahab. It was nothing short of a dream for me. I couldn't believe that I would get the chance to sing with someone I've been listening to since childhood.
I have the pleasure of singing with Lata Mangeshkar After the film 'Unnis-Bis' I was not getting the songs I wanted. From 1978 to 1988 there was a lot of conflict. During this period I kept getting 2-4 line songs in films. There was no looking back after getting 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak'.
I have sung as many songs with Lata Mangeshkarji in my career. I don't think any singer of my generation has sung so many songs. Got an opportunity to sing in many films like 'Dar', 'Dil To Pagal Hai', 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge', 'Veer Zara'. I consider this my good fortune.
It is said that a woman has a great contribution in the success of a man. Udit Narayan's wife Deepa Narayan has made a huge contribution to his career. On Udit Narayan's birthday, his wife and singer Deepa Narayan spoke to Frontpage Insights.
I wondered what Udit Ji would be singing? I was an air hostess. I also loved to sing. I wanted to release a music album in Nepali. The music director introduced me to Uditji. Didn't know him till then. They were very thin. I thought they were so thin, how could they be singing? But I was surprised to hear his voice when he sang. It proved to be a super hit album in Nepali language. After this people came to Nepal and started recording albums in Udit Ji and my voice.
Said I will keep it in my pocket one day Udit ji started liking me. One day during the recording was staring at me. I thought why are you looking at me like that? One day he told me that I will keep you in my pocket. I do not understand what they mean? Then he said I will keep you in my heart, I will love you. I thought if you are a good person and a good singer then you should get married.
When Uditji became stable, he quit his job. Even after marriage I continued to work. There is no guarantee when the film line will be successful. I was thinking that Uditji should first settle down and then quit the job. When 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' hit and Udit Ji's car took off, I quit. In the meantime son Aditya Narayan was born.
Uditji used to tell me to quit my job many times. The day was spent in the service of Aditya and mother-in-law. Finding time for work was difficult anyway. However I told Uditji to first buy a good flat and maintain some bank balance. After that I will leave the job.
9-10 boys lived together in one room Before marriage I took a small flat in Santa Cruz, Cali. After marriage, Uditji shifted to the same flat with me. When Uditji came to Mumbai, he along with 9-10 boys stayed as paying guests in one of Mahalakshmi's rooms. He must have changed 7-8 houses during his struggle. Our life started from Kalina's flat. That is why we have not sold that flat till date.
When he became a hero in a Nepali film, he started getting offers in Hindi as well. While Uditji was struggling to sing, he got an opportunity to act in the Nepali film 'Kusume Rumal'. In this film I was offered the heroine and Udit Ji was offered the hero. I did not act, but Uditji did a film and that film became a super hit. However, Udit Ji did not feel like acting. I was the one who encouraged him to act. Because money was much needed at that time.
This was followed by another Nepali film. In which he had a double role. Later I started getting offers to act in Hindi films as well, but I felt that I should not step into two boats. If Udit Ji wants to be a singer then he should be.
We were so busy that they didn't have time to eat It was God's grace that after the film 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak', Uditji became very busy. At that time we used to record at least 8-10 songs a day. There were also many shows. Sometimes there was no time even to eat. She used to feed them with her own hands in the car. Even after becoming successful, Uditji is as humble as before. Whatever I make with my own hands, I give. Eats with much love. I also design their clothes.
Udit Narayan's mother Bhuvaneshwari Devi with her daughter-in-law and grandson
Listening to mother singing always inspires me. The same freshness is seen in Udit Narayan's singing in the last 41 years. He attributes this to his mother Bhuvaneshwari Devi. Recently, during an interview, Udit Narayan said that my mother is 106 years old. Even today he continues to sing at home. Listening to his singing always inspires me. If she can sing at this age why can't I? This thought inspires me to sing better.
Received Filmfare Award 5 times Udit Narayan has received Filmfare Award 5 times. For the first time, he won the Filmfare Award for the superhit song 'Papa Kehte Hain' from the movie 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak'. Deepa Narayan says, 'Uditji was very nervous when we went for the award. Receiving this award was a very emotional moment in our lives. That day I took Uditji to dinner, but he could not eat due to happiness.
Honored with Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan In 2009, Udit Narayan was honored with the Padma Shri Award by the Government of India for his significant contribution to the world of music. He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2016.
Won National Film Award 4 times Udit Narayan won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 2001 for 'Mitwa' from the film 'Lagaan' and 'Jaane Kyun Log' from 'Dil Chahta Hai'. In 2002, he won the National Award for the song 'Chote Chhote Sapne Ho' from the film 'Zindagi Khoosoorat Hai' and in 2004 for the song 'Yeh Tara Wo Tara' from the film 'Swadesh'.
Soon Udit Narayan will be honored with the Amrit Ratna Award. Deepa Narayan says – First National Award received after 17 years. When she heard about it, she jumped for joy and fell off the bed.
The first Bhojpuri film won the National Award Udit Narayan has produced the Bhojpuri film 'Kab Hoi Gawana Hamar'. This is the first film of Bhojpuri cinema. For which Udit Narayan won the National Film Award as a producer.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
