Started his singing career way back in 1982 with a duet with Lata Mangeshkar, Udit Narayan actually got the first major breakthrough in the movie Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak.
He(with a lot of help from Anand-Milind), went on maturing and the Udit of today is much more systematic and sophisticated than he was in 1988.
I have decided, I will not give the name of the song here. I will only give the name of music director, and the year of release. I will also attach a small description of the song alongwith. Now everything is upto you, if you identify, Bingo.
So here is the quizzical review:
1. Here is song no. 1
Music Directors - Jatin-Lalit, Year of Release - 1994
It is not a solo Udit Narayan song. It is a duet sung by Udit Narayan and Amit Kumar. The song features Deepak Tijori and Shahrukh Khan. This song has a lot of melody dissolved in it. Udit has certainly dominated the song but Amit Kumar has also given his best. It has lyrics like’Toota Sitaara to Maanga tha rab se’. This song is here because Udit’s voice’s freshness can be seen in this song. It is as fresh as ever and makes the song a worth listen.
Could you identify it?
2. Here is song no. 2
Music Directors - Jatin-Lalit, Year of Release - 1995
The song features Shahrukh Khan on stage and Kajol watching him. As per me, this is the best song of Udit Narayan. His singing is energetic, his voice smooth and his control over the notes flawless. The lyrics were not great but the background instrumentation complimented Udit’s song perfectly and this song came out as a gem in Udit’s treasure. The song has lyrics like’Dekhe Vo Idhar Hanske Bekhabar
Thaamke Dil Hum Khade Hain’.
Able to identify?
3. Here is song no. 3
Music Director - A. R. Rehman, Year of Release - 1997
Probably the best song of A. R. Rehman, this song features in one of the major setbacks of 1997. With Maniratnam as the director, Rehman giving the music and Shahrukh Khan as the star, no one would have thought of this movie being a flop.
Talking about the song, the poetry is at its best. Gulzar sahab has provided the excellent words for this song. Rehman’s music is a bit different from his normal style and Udit has proved, why he was chosen by Rehman to accomplish the task.
4. Here is song no. 4
Music Directors - Shiv-Hari, Year of Release - 1994
Fourth straight song from the 90s and fourth straight one from Shahrukh’s movies. Arguably Shahrukh’s first real negative role(Baazigar was a revenge story). This song remains my favourite as it is a solo Udit Narayan song which portrays the excellent composition of Shiv-Hari ji. This song ruled the charts for weeks and he was nominated for Filmfare award. This song uses all the three scaled notes - the lower notes, the higher notes and the middle notes. Any Guesses?
5. Here is song no. 5
Music Directors - Anand-Milind, Year of Release - 1988
Do I need to write further? I do not think so. Anyways thankfully this is not a Shahrukh Khan song. It features Amir Khan playing the guitars. Dilip Tahil watches the whole drama and returns with tears in his eyes. This song opened the doors of stardom for Udit Narayan. The voice was fresh at that time between the’toooo manly’ voices of Shabbir Kumar, Mohd. Aziz and’sobre’ voices like that of Suresh Wadekar and Nitin Mukesh. The voice was that of a youth. A college student. The song became hit and so did Udit Bhaiyya from Nepal.
So my list is complete and now everything is up to you. If you have recognized them, go ahead in commenting. I just request you to comment as I have tried writing a different kind of review and I want to know where do I stand in creativity.
Some other worth mentioning songs of Udit Narayan -
Tu Cheez Badi Hai - Mohra
Raja Ko Rani Se - Akele Hum Akele Tum
Pehla Nasha - Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar
Kyun Chhupate ho mann ki baat - Mann
Ghar Se Nikalte hi - Papa Kehte Hain
Kuchh Kuchh hota hai - Title
Bholi Si surat - Dil to Pagal Hai
Tere Naam - Title