Birthday Special: Sonu Nigam, melodies and memories

Sonu Nigam Picture Courtesy: Mid-day Archives

Sonu Nigam has been singing since his teens. The birthday boy, who turns 48 today, can even lift a mediocre song and make it an instant contagious number. One of the first memories of Nigam that rests in mind is 1995's aching track from ‘Bewafa Sanam' and pulling off another number in ‘Barsaat', featuring a totally different mood and tone.

But Sonu Nigam became The Sonu Nigam in the late 90s, mostly 1997, and in the glorious discography of more than two decades that should continue in future, here are some personal favourite songs of someone who's clearly missed in today's era of music. An era of twisting songs (read tarnishing).

Sandese Aate Hain- Border (1997)

A young, brimming Nigam was about to hit 24 when he gave the first smash hit of his blooming career. It was a song that comes just before the 1971 war is about to begin. It's a song of hope, heartbreak, and also the horror of the tragedy. But at its heart, it still remains a track that affirms how the nation would not be what it is if not for the fearlessness of the armed forces.

Aisa Lagta Hai- Refugee (2000)

Collaborating once again with Anu Malik, JP Dutta and Javed Akhtar after the cult success of ‘Border', Nigam oozed melody into the composition that said ‘Aisa Lagta Hai'. It's a song where two people express their love for each other and how it feels to be in love. The heroine was a Muslim, the hero had no religion or identity. He called himself Refugee. As he escorts her and her family to the other side of the border, they develop a sense of compassion for one another. Their romance transcends all lines and borders, just like this film's music.

Aate Jaate Jo Milta Hai- Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega (2000)

Salman Khan and Sonu Nigam is a very underrated match. Khan's aura and Nigam's vocals can electrify the celluloid and nearly did in this love triangle. Khan is mistaken to be Rani Mukerji's husband and falls in love with his sister Preity Zinta. Mukerji's in coma and they travel to a temple atop a hill for her recovery. The song plays at a rather unexpected situation, but it still works. This was Sonu Nigam, Anu Malik, and Salman Khan at their best.

Rabba Mere Rabba Rabba- Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai (2001)

He doesn't sing the bit mentioned above, it's sung in chorus by a group of girls, popping on streets and cyber cafes, breaking the fourth wall and telling us about how the hero is head over heels in love with the heroine. The song is ‘Is Pyaar Ko Main Kya Naam Doon?' Trust the singer to be as passionate about romance as the hero he's singing for. For all the success of ‘Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai', Tusshar Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan owe a lot to Sonu Nigam and of course, once again, Anu Malik.

The Title Track of Saathiya- Saathiya (2002)

If it's Yash Chopra, it has to be mountains, melodies, and magic. Yes, Chiffon Saris too. Rani Mukerji gorgeously poses for the camera as Vivek Oberoi sings this haunting AR Rahman number in Nigam's soothing vocals. Shaad Ali films the song even more lusciously. Despite being a faithful remake of ‘Alaipayuthey', what made this film stand apart was Rahman, and this particular song.

The Title Track of Kal Ho Naa Ho- Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)

Before ‘Channa Mereya' took over, it was the title track of the tearjerker ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho' that was the ultimate embodiment of heartbreak. And just like Ranbir Kapoor did in 2016, Shah Rukh Khan, with all his charm and dimpled smile, conveyed his tragedy through a number that became too profound to be forgotten just as easily. He romanced Preity Zinta in imagination, lived the life someone else is enjoying, spread his arms against the backdrop of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, and by the time the song was over, knew he won't be alive for too long. He nearly breaks down, and so do his hardcore fans. The feeling remains the same 18 years later.

Tumse Milke- Main Hoon Na (2004)

Trust Farah Khan to wreck havoc and let her imaginations run wild when it comes to choreographing her songs, particularly when she's the director too. This was her maiden attempt at handling the entire film, and Khan being Khan, could scream and shout till she got it perfect. One really doesn't know what went behind the making of this thunderous number that has a mix of classical and Qawali. It's first filmed on Zayed Khan and Amrita Rao, and then moves on to Shah Rukh Khan and Sushmita Sen (both ignited the screen with their blazing chemistry). Nigam isn't a singer just to make you weep, he can make you put on your dancing shoes, even if you have two left feet.

Jeena Ke Hain Chaar Din- Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004)

Salman Khan and Farah Khan gave a rather contagious hook step to a song that has just as much energy as the one above. Don't know whether the locale is Goa or Mauritius, it's easy on the eye and pleasing to the ears. Every time the song plays, people take off their shirts, put them in between their legs, and just begin to move ahead. Who cares then if you can dance or not? Just enjoy the rhythm.

Sau Dard- Jaan-E-Mann (2006)

Anu Malik and Sonu Nigam are indeed a match made in heaven. In this love triangle, shot stunningly in New York in pure Broadway-style, debutant director Shirish Kunder gave Salman Khan arguably one of his most underrated roles yet. Khan weeps and weeps and weeps in this tragic number that haunts your souls with melody.

Special Mentions: Dil Se (Tu Hi Tu), Pardes (Yeh Dil), Dulhe Raja (Ankhiyon Se Goli Maare), Agneepath (Abhi Mujhme Kahin)

Also Read: Here's how Sonu Nigam contributed to COVID-19 relief measures