Meet the person with the most genuine laughter, Udit Narayan, the legendary singer whose charming personality and soulful voice have adorned the world of Hindi cinema for over four decades. His melodic voice isn’t limited to Hindi songs alone; he has captivated audiences across the globe and sung in languages like Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Bengali, Odia, Bhojpuri, Nepali, Malayalam, Assamese, Bagheli, and Maithili.
With an impressive tally of four National Film Awards and five Filmfare Awards, Udit Narayan is a true gem of Indian playback singing. The government recognised his immense contribution to arts and culture, honouring him with the Padma Shri in 2009 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016. 21 of his tracks have found a place in BBC’s “Top 40 Bollywood Soundtracks of All Time,” solidifying his position in the pantheon of musical greats.
Udit Narayan stands as the only male singer in Filmfare Awards history to have clinched victories in three distinct decades—the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. His voice continues to resonate, weaving a timeless melody that transcends eras.
Humble Beginning
Udit Narayan Jha was born on December 1, 1955, in Baisi village, Supaul district, Bihar, to a Nepali father and an Indian mother.His father, Harekrishna Jha, a Nepalese national, was a farmer. While his mother, Bhuvaneshwari Jha, was a folk singer. His mother encouraged Udit’s musical interests. Udit grew up in a modest household, spending much of his childhood in Bhardaha, Saptari district, Nepal, near the India-Nepal border. He often listened to legends like Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, and Kishore Kumar on the radio, sparking his passion for music.
Udit went to Shree Public Bindeshawari Secondary School in Rajbiraj, Nepal. Udit completed his schooling at Jageshwar High School in Kunauli, Supaul, Bihar. He later pursued an intermediate degree at Ratna Rajya Lakshmi Campus in Kathmandu, Nepal. His formal education took a backseat as music became his focus.
Udit started his singing career in the early 1970s as a staff artist for Radio Nepal, singing Nepali, Maithili, and Bhojpuri folk songs. His first film playback was for the Nepali movie Sindur in the late 1970s, a comedic duet with Sushma Shrestha (later known as Poornima).
After many years of working on the radio, he gets a scholarship from the Indian Embassy in Nepal. The scholarship allows him to study classical music at Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan in Mumbai. Udit trained in Hindustani classical music for six years under Pandit Dinkar Kaikini. Pandit Kaikini mentored him, refining his skills in classical techniques.
Debut and Breakthrough
His journey began in 1980, sharing the stage with legends like Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar. Udit Narayan made his debut as a playback singer with the film “Unees-Bees (1980).” The song “Mil Gaya Mil Gaya” alongside Mohammed Rafi, under Rajesh Roshan’s composition. He also sang with Kishore Kumar in the 1980s. In 1983 he sang a version of Kishore- Lata duet “Jeevan Ke Din” in Bade Dil Wala
However, it was the 1988 film “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak” that catapulted him to stardom. The soul-stirring “Papa Kehte Hain” not only marked a turning point but also earned him his first Filmfare Award, laying the foundation for a remarkable Bollywood playback singing career.
In the film he sang all the songs alongside Alka Yagnik. The film also has soulful songs like “Ae Mere Humsafar,” “Akele Hain To Kya Gum Hai,” and “Gazab Ka Hai Din.”
Udit Narayan The Star Singer
The 1990s and early 2000s were the golden years of Udit Narayan’s career. He became one of the most sought-after playback singers in Bollywood, lending his voice to numerous hit songs. His collaborations with music directors like Anand-Milind, Nadeem-Shravan, Anu Malik, Viju Shah, Jatin–Lalit, Uttam Singh, Rajesh Roshan, Ismail Darbar, and A.R. Rahman resulted in timeless classics.
Some of his most memorable songs In the early 90s include “Ilu Ilu” from “Saudagar” (1991), Yeh Dharti Chand Sitare,” in “Kurbaan” (1991), “Pehla Nasha” from “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar” (1992), “Jaadu Teri Nazar” from “Darr” (1993), “Phoolon Sa Chehra Tera from “Anari (1993), “Tu Cheez Badi Hai ” from “Mohra” (1994), and many more.
Although Udit sang for Shahrukh Khan in Darr but he obecame Khan’s voice with Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). His “Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna” and “Ruk Ja O Dil Dewane,” became rage at the time. The same year he sang for Amir Khan in Akele Hum Akele Tum. In the film he sang “Raja Ko Rani Se Pyaar” and “Aisa Zakham Diya Hai.” He also sang title track “Akele Hum Akele Tum“ with his son Aditya Narayan. He again sang for Amir in the blockbuster Raja Hindustani (1996). The songs from the film “Pardesi Pardesi” and “Aye Ho Meri Zindagi Me,” are still fresh in the momories of listners.
In 1996 his song “Ghar Se Nikalte Hi,” from Papa Kahte Hai (1996) became the love anthem of teenagers. Next year he again choosen by Yash Chopra for his directorial
Dil To Pagal Hai (1997). In film he sang “Dil To Pagal Hai” “Are Re Are” “Bholi Si Surat” “Dholna” “Pyar Kar” and “Koi Ladki Hai.” His collaboration with Shahrukh extended with Kuch Kuch Hota, and Dil Se. He sang “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” “Koi Mil Gaya” “Tujhe Yaad Na Meri Aayee,” in Kuch Kuch Hota. One of his career’s best song came in Dil Se under A R Rahman. The hauntingly beautiful “O Ajnabi” is a slow burn which has the ability to last long.
In Taal (1999), Udit sang “Taal Se Taal Mila,” composed by A.R. Rahman, voted the Best Song of the Century by DesiMartini, Hindustan Times, and Fever 104 in 2012.
“Chand Chupa Badal Mein” from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) get him another FFilmfare for Best Playback Singer. Lagaan (2001) featured “Mitwa,” another Rahman composition, earning Udit a National Film Award for its patriotic undertone. Swades (2004) brought “Yeh Taara Woh Taara,” again by Rahman, winning Udit another National Award for its soulful delivery.
Some of his other memorable songs include “Dil Ne Ye Kaha Hai” from Dhadkan” (2000), “Aaja Mahiya” from “Fiza” (2000), “Udja Kale Kanwa” from Gadar: Ek Prem Katha” (2001), “Jaane Kyon” from “Dil Chahta Hai” (2001), “Tere Naam” from “Tere Naam” (2003), “Idhar Chala Main Udhar Chala” from “Koi Mil Gaya” (2003), “Main Yahaan Hoon” from “Veer Zaara” (2004), “Radha” from Student of the Year (2007) and many more.
Personal Life of Udit Narayan
Udit married Ranjana Narayan Jha in 1984, a marriage that remained under wraps due to his early career struggle. In 1985, he married Deepa Narayan, a fellow singer. The couple has a son, Aditya Narayan, who is also a playback singer. Udit faced controversy in 2006 when his first wife, Ranjana Jha, publicly claimed her rights during his visit to Patna. She stormed his hotel with media, presenting photos and statements from their 1984 marriage. Udit initially denied knowing her but later accepted her as his wife, promising maintenance after intervention by the women’s commission.
In February 2025, Ranjana filed a lawsuit in Supaul Family Court, alleging Udit denied her rights to property and maintenance. Udit countered, claiming harassment, stating he provided her with farmland, a house worth Rs. 1 crore, and Rs. 25,000 monthly maintenance after their divorce. Udit and Deepa remain a close-knit couple, often collaborating on projects like the album Dil Deewana. Aditya married actress Shweta Agarwal in 2020, and they welcomed a daughter in 2022.
Legacy
One of the remarkable aspects of Udit Narayan’s career is his versatility and ability to sing in multiple languages. Apart from Hindi, he has sung in various Indian languages, including Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Bengali, Sindhi, Odia, Bhojpuri, Nepali, Malayalam, Assamese, Bagheli, and Maithili. His ability to adapt to different musical styles and languages has made him a beloved figure across India and beyond.
Udit Narayan’s legacy in Indian music is marked by his melodious voice, versatility, and dedication to his craft. He has been the on-screen singing voice for various Bollywood stars, including Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, Dev Anand, Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Ajay Devgn. His songs continue to be cherished by music lovers, and his influence on the industry remains significant.
Udit Narayan’s journey from a small village in Bihar to becoming one of the most celebrated playback singers in Indian cinema is a story of hard work, natural talent, perseverance, and passion for music, as well as the unpredictability of life.
Udit Narayan on IMDB
