Early life

Suresh Wadkar was born in Kolhapur, India. At the age of 8, he began acquiring basic music education from Jialal Vasant. He soon impressed his guru with the quality of his voice. He began performing on the stage at a very early age.

Singing career

Though groomed for Indian classical music, he entered the Sur-Singar competition in 1976. Wadkar won the competition which was judged by composers from the Indian film industry including Jaidev. Jaidev later offered him the song "Seene Mein Jalan" in the film Gaman (released in 1978). He also performed in the film Paheli (released 1977).

At the time, Lata Mangeshkar was so impressed with his voice that she strongly recommended him to film personalities including Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Khayyam and Kalyanji-Anandji.[1] Laxmikant-Pyarelal, impressed with his voice, soon recorded a duet with Lata "Chal Chameli Bagh Mein" for Krodhi (released in 1981). Soon after, he was given the opportunity to perform for songs in Hum Paanch, Pyaasa Sawan ("Megha re Megha Re") and above all, his turning point in films - Raj Kapoor's Prem Rog (released in 1982).

Wadkar also produced the film Tanman.com.[2] He was a judge on the Indian TV singing show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs International and for the 2005 Sanjeet Awards.[3]

Suresh Wadkar has for the first time sung a song in the upcoming Tamil film Kanden Kadhalai. This film is a adaptation of the Hindi Blockbuster Jab We Met. The song is a ghazal type song called "Naan Mozhi Arindhaen".

Personal life

Wadkar is married to classical singer Padma.[4] He has two daughters, Ananya and Gia.

Awards

In 1976, Wadkar won the Madan Mohan Best Male Singer Award at the Sur-Singar competition.[5] He also won the 2007 Maharashtra Pride Award which is given by the government of Maharashtra to citizens of note.[6]

[edit]Collaborators

Suresh Wadkar has sung for a variety of composers in the Indian film industry. These include:

Laxmikant Pyarelal

Kalyanji Anandji

R.D. Burman

Ilayaraja

Ravindra Jain

Bappi Lahiri

Khaiyyam

Usha Khanna

A.R. Rehman

Vidyasagar

Nadeem-Shravan

Vishal Bharadwaj

Rajesh Roshan

Raamlaxman

Shiv-Hari

Jatin-Lalit

Anand-Milind

Anu Malik

Himesh Reshammiya

Shanker

Ravi

Chitragupta

Jaidev

Hridayanath Mangeshkar

Jagadguru Kripalu Ji Maharaj

[edit]Selected filmography

Three Idiots (2010)

Kanden Kadhalai(2009) (Tamil)

Kaminey (2009)

Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi (2008)

Omkara (2006)

Vivah (2006)

Bal Ganesh (2006)

Indra (2002)

Hu Tu Tu (1999)

Sar Utha Ke Jiyo (1998)

Satya (1998)

Maachis (1996)

PremGranth (1996)

Rangeela (1995)

Guddu (1995)

Aaina (1993)

In Custody (1993)

Parampara (1992)

Dil Aashna Hai (1992)

Thalapathi (1991)

''Lamhe (1991)

Lekin (1991)

Henna (1991)

Kurbaan (1991)

Aaj Ka Samson (1991)

Patthar Ke Phool (1991)

The Blow (1991)

Shiva (1990)

Parinda (1989)

Bhrashtachar (1989)

Toofan (1989)

Purani Haveli (1989)

Chandni (1989)

Hero Hiralal (1988)

Libaas (1988)

Thikana (1987)

Hifazat (1987) directed by Prayag Raj

Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985)

Utsav (1984)

Sadma (1983)

Masoom (1983)

Disco Dancer (1982)

Hum Paanch (1980)

Paheli (1977)