Happy Birthday Alka Yagnik: The Melodious Voice of Bollywood Turns 58

Get ready to hum along, because the queen of melody, Alka Yagnik, turns 58 this year. She is one of the most beloved playback singers of all time and she also she also holds the prestigious title of the most streamed singer globally in 2022 according to the Guinness World Records!

Born in Kolkata on 20 March 1966 to a Gujarati family, Yagnik's singing career started at just the age of 6. She started singing Bhajans for Calcutta Akashvani (All India Radio). Let us tell you that Yagnik's mother was also a singer of Indian Classical Music. At the age of 10, her mother brought her to Mumbai for a career in singing.

Let us tell you an interesting anecdote, Yagnik was suggested to wait till her voice matured before becoming a professional playback singer. Her mother waited till her voice matured to start her career as a playback singer.

From her first song to making a place in people's hearts through her voice

Yagnik's first song was for the film Payal Ki Jhankaar (1980). This was followed by Laawaris (1981) with the song "Mere Angane Mein", followed by the film Hamari Bahu Alka (1982). 

Alka Yagnik: A legacy of melody

However, her legacy is built on a treasure trove of past hits. Who can forget the innocent charm of "Ek Do Teen" (Tezaab)? This song won her the first out of seven Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer. Her voice has captured the full spectrum of human emotions – the joy of "Chura Ke Dil Mera" to the vulnerability of "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai".

Apart from being a Hindi playback singer, she has also given her voice in more than twenty-five languages, including Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Malayalam, Marathi, Manipuri, Odia, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Tamil and Telugu, besides singing 15 Pakistani songs.

Record-breaking awards of Alka Yagnik

Yagnik's career boasts of countless accolades, including a record-breaking seven Filmfare Awards and two National Film Awards, two Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards, and a record seven Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer from a record of thirty-six nominations. But the true testament to her magic lies in the sheer volume of hearts her songs have touched.

A crowned queen of melody

Even with a digital music revolution transforming the industry, Yagnik's influence is undeniable. In 2022, she was crowned the most streamed singer globally according to the Guinness World Records, surpassing international pop icons. This speaks volumes about the enduring power of her voice and the vast collection of unforgettable songs she has gifted us.

Alka Yagnik isn't just a singer; she's an era.  Her voice is the soundtrack to countless memories, and with her continued work, she ensures her melody lingers on for generations to come.

Tags: Happy Birthday | Bollywood

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