Early Life and Family Background: Udit Narayan was born into a Maithil Brahmin family in the village of Bhardaha in the Saptari District of Nepal. His father, Harekrishna Jha, was a farmer, and his mother, Bhuvneshwari Devi, was a folk singer. Growing up in a humble environment, Udit was exposed to music from an early age, thanks to his mother. Despite financial challenges, his passion for singing never waned.
Early Career and Hardships: Udit Narayan started his career by singing Maithili and Nepali folk songs for Radio Nepal. In 1978, he moved to Mumbai after receiving a music scholarship from the Indian Embassy in Nepal to study classical music at the Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan. Initially, he faced significant hardships, struggling to find work and make a name for himself in the highly competitive Bollywood music industry.
Breakthrough and Rise to Stardom: His big break came in 1980 when music director Rajesh Roshan gave him an opportunity to sing in the film “Unees-Bees.” However, it was the 1988 film “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak” (QSQT) that catapulted Udit Narayan to stardom. The song “Papa Kehte Hain” from QSQT became a massive hit, making him a household name. The success of QSQT opened numerous doors for him in the Bollywood music industry.
Successes and Contributions: Udit Narayan’s career saw a meteoric rise in the 1990s and early 2000s. He became one of the most sought-after playback singers in Bollywood, lending his voice to numerous hit songs. His collaborations with composers like Anand-Milind, Nadeem-Shravan, A. R. Rahman, and Jatin-Lalit produced several chart-topping tracks. Some of his notable songs include “Pehla Nasha” (Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar), “Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Hai Dil Se” (Dhadkan), “Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna” (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge), and “Jaadu Teri Nazar” (Darr).
Awards and Recognitions: Udit Narayan has won numerous awards for his contributions to music, including five National Film Awards and several Filmfare Awards. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri (2009) and Padma Bhushan (2016) from the Government of India for his exceptional contribution to Indian cinema.
Real Name: Udit Narayan Jha
Date of Birth: December 1, 1955
Birth Place: Bhardaha, Saptari District, Nepal
Residence: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Profession: Playback Singer
Nationality: Nepali-Indian
Religion: Hinduism
Partner: Deepa Narayan Jha (Second Wife), Ranjana Narayan Jha (First Wife)
Father: Harekrishna Jha
Mother: Bhuvneshwari Devi
Horoscope: Sagittarius
Age: 68 (as of 2024)
Weight: Approximately 70 kg
Height: 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm)
Body Type: Average
Eye Color: Dark Brown
Hair Color: Black