Padma Shri in (2009)

Kumar Sanu is an Indian award winning Bollywood playback singer. He was born on 23^rd September 1957 in Kolkatta in India. His original name was Kedar Nath Bhattacharya. He received Padma Shri award from Government of India for his talents in the year 2009.

His father is Pashupati Bhattacharya. He is a vocalist and composer and he was the first guru of Sanu. Kumar Sanu studied at Calcutta University and obtained a degree in Commerce. He started his public performance in the year 1979. Initially he was singing at the restaurants in and around Calcutta.

He was given a chance to sing in the Hindi film Aandhiyan in 1987 by music director Jagjit Singh. He went to Mumbai and there, he sang in the film Jaadugar by the music director Kalyanji – Anandji. It was they who changed his original name of Kedar Nath Bhattacharya to Kumar Sanu.

He worked with many music composers of his time like Naushad, Hridayanath Mangeshkar, Usha Khanna, Ravindra Jain, etc. He excelled in playing the musical instrument tabla. He sang the songs Sanson Ki Zarrorat Hai Jaise, Nazar Ke Saamne, Jaane Jigar Jaaneman, Dheere Se Meri Zindagi Mein Aana, Tumeri Zindagi Hain for the film Aashiqui in 1990.

He worked with Nadeem Shravan many times and also with other composers like R. D. Burman, Anu Malik, Jatin Lalit, Ismail Darbar, A. R. Rahman, etc. Some of the songs that he has sung so far include Ab Tere Bin Jeelenge Hum, Tumhein Apna Banane Ki Kasam, Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To, Rim Jhim Rim Jhim, Do Dil Mil Rahe Hai, Love Hua, Jungle Hai Aadhi Raat, Chand Sitare, Aankhon Se Tune Kya, etc.

He won Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer for five times consecutively for the songs in the movies, Saajan, Deewana, Baazigar, 1942: A Love Story. He produced the film Utthaan. He got Global excellence award in 2003 and IIFA: Artist of the decade award for his contributions to music.