Kumar Sanu, the iconic Indian playback singer, is celebrated as the “King of Melody.” This post delves into his life, career, and achievements.
Wiki/Biography
Born Kedarnath Bhattacharya on September 23, 1957, in Kolkata, Kumar Sanu completed his Bachelor of Commerce from Calcutta University. He received classical Indian music and tabla training from his father.
Physical Appearance
- Height (approx.): 5′ 11″
- Eye Colour: Brown
- Hair Colour: Black
Family, Caste & Wife
Kumar Sanu hails from a Bengali family. His father, Pashupati Bhattacharya, was a renowned vocalist and composer, trained by Jiban Upadhyay and Bishodeb Chattopadhyay. He has a brother, Tapan Bhattacharya, and an elder sister, Jayshree Mukherjee.
He married Rita Bhattacharya in the late 1980s. Their relationship ended in divorce in 1994 following his affair with actress Meenakshi Seshadri. They have three sons; one of them is Jaan Kumar Sanu (Jico), a singer himself. Later, he married Saloni Sanu, with whom he has a daughter, Annabel K. He also adopted an American singer, Shannon K.
Career
Kumar Sanu began his singing career as Sanu Bhattacharya in the 1986 Bengali film “Tin Konya.” His Bollywood debut was with the song “Jashna Hai Mohabbat Ka” from “Hero Hiralal” (1989). His breakthrough came with the film “Aashiqui,” where he sang most of the soundtrack.
He collaborated with numerous legendary singers, including Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Anuradha Paudwal, Alka Yagnik, and Shreya Ghoshal. His versatility and melodious voice made him a top playback singer for many years.
Controversies
Kumar Sanu’s five consecutive Filmfare Awards (1990-1994) for Best Male Playback Singer were marked by controversy. His wish for someone else to win led to speculation he was snubbed for the “Tujhe Dekha To Yeh Jaana Sanam” song the following year, despite its immense popularity.
His affair with Meenakshi Seshadri, while married to Rita Bhattacharya, created a significant scandal, ultimately leading to his divorce. Rita received custody of their sons, with Kumar providing financial support.
Awards, Honours & Titles
Kumar Sanu’s numerous awards and honors include:
- Honorary doctorate from the University of America (2001)
- Kumar Sanu Day in Dayton, Ohio (2001)
- Padma Shri (2009)
- Dr Ambedkar Award (2012)
- Maharashtra Ratna Award (2014)
- Mahanayak Samman Lifetime Achievement Award (2014)
- Sangeet Samman Lifetime Achievement Award (2015)
- Felicitation at the UK Houses of Parliament (2018)
He also won 5 Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer, beginning with “Ab Tere Bin” from “Aashiqui” (1990).
Favourite Things
| Category | Preference |
|---|---|
| Food | Fish, Chole Bhature |
| Actor | Amitabh Bachchan |
| Singer | Kishore Kumar, Jagjit Singh |
Facts
His family’s devotion to Lord Shiva led to his birth name, Kedarnath. From childhood, he displayed a passion for music, creating a “Gareebon Ka Orchestra” (Orchestra of the poor) with friends using milk cans as bongos.
He started performing publicly in 1979, working in hotels and restaurants before moving to Mumbai in 1986 with a dream of becoming a Bollywood singer. His early career involved recording Kishore Kumar songs and a chance encounter with Jagjit Singh, who provided him with valuable mentorship and his first break.
Kalyanji-Anandji suggested he adopt the stage name “Kumar Sanu,” combining elements of Kishore Kumar’s name and a nickname. He holds the Guinness World Record for recording 28 songs in a single day, highlighting his remarkable work ethic and talent. Other interesting facts include his brief stint with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), his establishing of the Kumar Sanu Vidya Niketan school for underprivileged children, and his production of the movie “Utthaan.” He also made special appearances in films and, most recently, served as a judge on the popular singing reality show, Indian Idol.
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