At the Trusts Arena, Henderson, West Auckland from 6.30 pm
Kumar Sanu, one of the foremost singers of the Hindi and Indian film industry, will perform in Auckland on Thursday, April 25, 2024 (ANZAC Day Holiday) at the Trusts Arena, located at 65 Central Park Drive, Henderson, Auckland.
Tickets can be purchased at www.iticket.co.nz
The Lord of Melodies
Dharmend Shyam, Director of the Auckland-based Trivision Entertainment Limited, which is organising the event said that Kumar, ‘The Lord of Melodies,’ returns to Auckland after 11 years “for a night steeped in musical brilliance.”
“The Trusts Arena will echo with his timeless voice, resurrecting the golden era of the 1990s. Embrace an evening where every note revives the charm of yesteryears, and every lyric rekindles a thousand memories. Please do not miss this rare opportunity to relive the songs that have captured the essence of a generation and to be part of a historic night of cherished melodies and unforgettable emotions. Join us to celebrate the return of a legendary voice that’s been a cornerstone of Bollywood’s musical legacy,” he said.
28 Songs in a Day-Record
In his career spanning 40 years, Kumar Sanu has rendered more than 22,000 songs in Hindi and 21 other languages (including Spanish). He created a sensation in 1993 by recording 28 songs on a single day (thereby entering the Guinness Book of Records).
The Indian government honoured him with ‘Padma Shri’ in 2009, while many other organisations have presented him with Awards and Citations. Many of his tracks are featured in BBC’s Top 40 Bollywood Soundtracks of all time.
The early years
Born in Kolkata and named Kedarnath Bhattacharya, he displayed immense talent in music. His father, Pashupathi Bhattacharya was a vocalist and composer. He moved from his native Vikrampur (now in Dhaka, Bangladesh) to Calcutta (now Kolkata) in search of a livelihood.
Kumar Sanu began his musical career as Sanu Bhattacharya in 1983. Three years later, he worked in ‘Ten Kanya,’ a Bengali film.
According to Wikipedia, his engagement with the Hindi film industry began with Hero Hiralal in 1988. In the following year, Singer (the late) Jagjit Singh introduced him to Kalyanji (Anandji) and at their suggestion, changed his name to Kumar Sanu since he idolises Kishore Kumar. The music duo accorded him an opportunity to sing in Jaadugar.
As well as his Guinness Book of Records entry for the maximum number of songs (28) rendered in a day, he is the recipient of the Best Male Playback Singer Filmfare Award consecutively from 1991 to 1995.
Top composers, popular songs
However, the first major break in his career occurred in 1990 when Gulshan Kumar accorded him an opportunity to render most of the songs for Aashiqui tuned by music duo Nadeem Shravan. They were teamed together in many other films that spelt success.
Notable among them were Saajan, Phool Aur Kaante, Dil Hai Kya Nahin, Pyaar Ka Saaya (1991), Kal Ki Awaz, Bekhudi, Dil Kya Kasoor, Jaan Tere Naam, Sapne Sajan Ke (1992) and many others.
Kumar Sonu rendered almost 300 songs for Nadeem Sharavan.
Kumar Sanu’s partnership with music composer Anu Malik is also legendary. Malik encouraged him to sing Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen, stated to be his first Western-style song for Baazigar in 1992. Among the other hits that the Anu Malik-Kumar Sanu team produced were Vardi (1989), Laat Saab, Chamatkar (1992), Chamatkar (1992), Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee, Sir, Phool Aur Angaar (1993), Imtihan, Khuddar, Vijaypath, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Naaraaz (1994) and others.
Kumar Sanu started his work with Jatin Lalit with Khiladi (1992). Several hits followed, including Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman (1992), Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Khamoshi (1996), Yes Boss (1997), Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Pyaar to Hona Hi Tha, Ghulam (1998) and many others.
Kumar Sanu has given several hits for Himesh Reshammiya including the title track for his TV serials. The hits include Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Bandhan (1998), Hello Brother (1999), Kurukshetra, Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye, Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000), Jodi Number 1 (2001), Yeh Hai Jalwa, Humraaz (2002) and Taarzan (2004)
Music Director Rajesh Roshan has given many memorable songs with Kumar Sonu. These include Jurm (1990), Insaniyat (1994), Karan Arjun, Sabse Bada Khiladi (1995), Papa Kehte Hai, Dastak (1996), Koyla (1997), Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, Kya Kehna and Karobaar (2000).
Viju Shah would consider some of the songs that he gave Kumar Sanu are the best in his career as a music director. These include Vishwatama (1992), Mohra (1994, Ravan Raaj: A True Story (1995), Tere Mere Sapne (1996), Gupt, Aar Ya Paar (1997), Bulandi (2000), Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat, Kasam (2001)
Kumar Sanu has recorded more than 150 songs with Anand-Milind.
Breaking away from his romantic image, he has rendered peppy numbers for the duo, and his songs picturised on Govinda have become extremely popular. The films under the Anand-Milind music direction include Trinetra (1991), Aaj Ka Goonda Raj, Jigar, Bol Bol (1992), Anari, Platform, Lootere (1993), Teesra Kaun, Krantiveer, Raja Babu, Suhaag, Gopi Kishan (1994), Coolie Number 1 (1995), Bandish, Army, Rakshak, Ajay, Mr Bechara (1996), Hero Number 1 (1997), Chal Mere Bhai (2000) and Chhupa Rustam (2001).
Bappi Lahiri scored music for many of Kumar Sanu’s hits. The films include Ghayal (1991), Hafta Bandh (1991), Zindagi Ek Juaa (1992), Aankhen, Dalaal (1993), Hum Sub Chor Hain (1995) and Hum Tumhare Sanam (2002).
Tribute to Kishore Kumar
Kumar Sanu has always been delighted with accolades connected with Kishore Kumar.
As a tribute to the late maestro, he released a series of ‘Kishore Ki Yaadein’ albums containing the hits of the singer. Some of the albums have been in collaboration with fellow singers Abhijeet Bhattacharya and Vinod Rathod.
Tribute to Kishore Kumar
Kumar Sanu has always been delighted with accolades connected with Kishore Kumar.
As a tribute to the late maestro, he released a series of ‘Kishore Ki Yaadein’ albums containing the hits of the singer. Some of the albums have been in collaboration with fellow singers Abhijeet Bhattacharya and Vinod Rathod.
The Singer-Composer
Kumar Sanu has worked also as a music director. Among the films for which he scored music include Utthaan and Yeh Sunday Kyun Aata Hai.
Among the singers who have worked with him are Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Anuradha Paudwal, Sapna Mukherjee, Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam, Sadhana Sargam, Sudesh Bhonsle, Shaan, Shreya Ghosal, Hema Sardesai and Sunidhi Chauhan. He rendered the title song for the TV show Yeh Duniyan Gazab Ki with Udit Narayan.
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