Biography of Sonu Nigam – Indian modern Rafi | Singer, actor and a music director

sonu nigam biography

Sonu Nigam is an Indian singer, actor, and music director having some of the most popular playback hits in Hindi and Kannada cinema. He is often regarded as the “modern Rafi” for his style of singing which is very similar to that of legendary singer, Mohammed Rafi. To date, Sonu has sung more than 6000 songs in about 28 different languages. He is also one of the popular faces in many Indi-pop albums and Hindi feature films. He received the Padma Shri honor from President Ram Nath Kovind on March 28, 2022.

Sonu Nigam Personal Details

Name	Sonu Nigam
Age (As of 2021)	48 years
Date of Birth	30-Jul-73
Place of Birth	Faridabad, Haryana
Current Residence	Mumbai
Zodiac Sign	Leo
Profession	Singer, music director and actor
Father’s Name	Agam Kumar Nigam (Singer)
Mother’s Name	Shobha Nigam
Siblings	(Younger sisters) Teesha Nigam (singer) and Meenal Nigam (yoga practitioner)
Marital Status	Married
Marriage Date	15-Feb-22
Spouse	Madhurima Mishra
Children	Nevaan Nigam (Son)
Hobbies	Reading, Working out
Net Worth	$8 million

Sonu Nigam’s Early Life

Sonu started singing at the age of 4 when he sang Mohammad Rafi’s ‘Kya Hua Tera Wada on stage with his father.
He used to accompany his father for singing appearances at weddings and parties.
Sonu started his Bollywood singing career at the age of 19.
He was trained by the famous Hindustani classical singer, Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan.
As per the numerology beliefs, Sonu earlier changed his name to ‘Sonu Niigaam’, but later shifted back to the original spelling.
He has sung songs in many languages like Hindi, Oriya, Malayalam, English, Marathi, Nepali, Assamese, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, and Punjabi.
Sonu is also known as the ‘Elvis Presley of India’.

Sonu Nigam’s Educational Qualifications

Sonu completed his schooling at J.D. Tyler School, Delhi.
He pursued his graduation from Delhi University.

Sonu Nigam’s Musical Journey

Sonu debuted as an actor at the age of 10. He played the role of young Sunny Deol in the film, ‘Betaab’ (1983).
He performed on Mahabharata’s title track in 1989 at the age of 16.
Sonu started his career as a playback singer for the film, Janam (1990), but it was never officially released.
He got his first official playback singing break in the movie, ‘Aaja Meri Jaan (1993)’ for the movie, ‘O Aasmaan Wale’.
In 1995, one of Sonu’s songs, ‘Accha Sila Diya’ became a popular hit.
Made his debut as a lead in the movie ‘Love in Nepal’ in 2004.
Sonu debuted as a music director in 2013 in the movie, ‘Singh Saab the Great.
His ‘Classically Mild’ album is the best among all other pop albums in Hindi and Punjabi.
Sonu was a judge in various singing reality shows like Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Indian Idol, and Kisme Kitna Hai Dum.
He has released several Mohammad Rafi songs and devotional albums.
Sonu launched his own music label, ‘I Believe Music’ on July 30, 2020, and released the ‘Rudhrashtakam’ track under the label.
He sang songs for many films like, ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho, ‘Saathiya’, ‘Main Hoon Naa, ‘Veer-Zaara’, ‘Bunty Aur Babli’, ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, ‘3 Idiots’, ‘Fanaa’ and many more.
Sonu released a tribute song for Michael Jackson, which was included in the tribute album, ‘The Beat of Our Hearts.
He sang the title track of ‘Tees Maar Khan’ in 54 voices.

Sonu Nigam’s Awards and Accomplishments

Year	Name of Award
1997	· Sansui Viewers’ Choice Award for Best Male Singer
1998	· Zee Cine Award for Best Playback Singer · 20th Aashirwad Awards for Sandese Aate Hai Border (1997 film) Best Duet Singers · Screen Award for Best Male Pop Artist
2002	· Zee Cine Award Best Playback Singer · International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) Best Male Playback Award · Screen Award Best Male Playback · Bollywood Music Award for Best Pop Singer for the album “Yaad”
2003	· Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer · MTV Immies for Best Singer · Most Stylish People In Music, MTV Style Awards
2004	· Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer · Producers Guild Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer · National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer · International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) Best Male Playback Award · Bollywood Music Award for Best Male Playback Singer · Apsara Awards Best Male Playback Singer
2005	· Swaralaya Kairali Yesudas Award for his outstanding performance in Music · MTV Immies Award for Best Pop Album “Chanda Ki Doli” · Indian Television Academy Awards Best Singer for Miilee · Lion Gold’s Award for the song Main Hoon Na
2006	· Star Screen Award Best Male Playback · Annual Central European Bollywood Awards, Best Male Singer for Sau Dard Hai, from the film Jaaneman
2007	· Indian Television Academy Awards Best Singer for Dill Mill Gayye · Bollywood Music and Fashion Awards
2008	· Annual Central European Bollywood Awards, Best Male Playback Singer · Filmfare Awards South, Kannada, Best Male Playback Singer for Ninnindale from Milana. · Indian Television Academy Awards Best Singer
2009	· Annual Central European Bollywood Awards, Best Male Singer · Lions Gold Award
2010	· Global Indian Music Academy Awards (GIMA) for Best Live Performer · Annual Central European Bollywood Awards Best Male Singer
2013	· Mirchi Music Award for Male Vocalist of The Year · BIG Star Entertainment Awards for Best Playback Singer · Zee Cinema Award for Best Male Playback Singer · 14th IIFA Awards Best Male Playback Singer
2014	· Mirchi Music Awards South – Best Male Vocalist Kannada
2015	· Bharat Ratna Ambedkar Award
2016	· Global Indian Music Academy Awards (GIMA) Best Pop Song: “Saiyaan Bina” by Sonu Nigam and Bickram Ghosh
2017	· 9th Mirchi Music Awards Indie Pop Song of the Year “Aye Jahaan Aasmaan” sung by Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal
2018	· Doctorate from Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the field of music · Iconic Achievers Awards
2019	· 21st Century Icon Award for Magnificent Performing Arts Award
2020	· Bharat Ratna Dr.B R Ambedkar Award by Government of Maharashtra
2021	^·Mirchi Music Award for Male Vocalist of the Decade for the song Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin (Agneepath)^[ · Champions of Change (award)
2022	· Mirchi Music Awards for “Raag-Inspired Song of the Year” for the song “Bheeni Si” from Mera Fauji Calling · Padma Shri