Udit Narayan, Playback Singer
Playback Singer

Udit Narayan

Born 1 December 1955 · Nepal

Sang the hit song 'Papa Kehte Hain' from the 1988 film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak.

Udit Narayan Jha is an Indian playback singer whose songs are featured in Indian cinema, primarily Hindi films.

✨

A detail that
surprised us

“

Udit Narayan is the only male singer in Filmfare history to win awards across three separate decades: the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.

The Story

1
🎤 In 1978, Udit Narayan moved from Nepal to Mumbai on a scholarship to study classical music at Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, marking the start of his formal training in Indian classical music.
2
🎶 His Hindi playback singing debut came in 1980 with the film Unees-Bees, where he recorded a duet with Mohammed Rafi, his musical inspiration.
3🔥 The 1988 release of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak featured his breakout hit "Papa Kehte Hain," which earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer and cemented his presence in Bollywood.
4🏆 Between 2001 and 2004, he won three National Film Awards for Best Male Playback Singer with songs from Lagaan, Dil Chahta Hai, and Swades, showcasing his versatility across different film genres.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Shri

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

In 2001, Udit Narayan was honored with the Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu by the late King of Nepal Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, a civilian award rarely bestowed on playback singers.

🖼️

Through the Years

5 photographs from the archives
The President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting Best Male Playback Singer Award to Udit Narayan in New Delhi (2003).
The President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting Best Male Playback Singer Award to Udit Narayan in New Delhi (2003).
2003
The President Pratibha Patil presenting Padma Shri Award to Udit Narayan at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi (2009).
Udit Narayan with Deepa at a personal gathering (2011).
The President Pranab Mukherjee presenting Padma Bhushan Award to Udit Narayan Jha at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi (2016).
Udit Narayan posing with Sunny Shah at a public event (2017).

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Birth in Baisi, Bihar
Udit Narayan Jha was born in Baisi village, Bihar, to a Nepalese father and Indian mother, starting a cross-border cultural lineage.
1955
📚
Education
Moves to Mumbai on scholarship
Received a music scholarship to study classical music at Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan in Mumbai, marking his formal training start.
1978
⚡
Career
Hindi playback debut
Sang first Hindi film song for Unees-Bees alongside Mohammed Rafi, his musical inspiration.
1980
⚡
Career
Breakthrough with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
Song "Papa Kehte Hain" became a nationwide hit, earning him a Filmfare Award and launching his Bollywood stardom.
1988
🏅
Award
Receives Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu
Awarded by King Birendra of Nepal for his contributions to Nepalese music and cinema.
2001
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Shri
Honored by the Government of India with the Padma Shri for contributions to arts and culture.
2009
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
Received the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, recognizing his sustained influence in music.
2016
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

His debut Hindi playback song in 1980 was recorded alongside legendary singer Mohammed Rafi for the film Unees-Bees, a rare opportunity for an emerging artist.

02 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Before Bollywood fame, Udit Narayan started as a staff singer for Radio Nepal during his teenage years, performing folk songs in Maithili and Nepali languages.

03 / 04
👤PERSONAL

His mother, Bhuwaneshwari Devi, was a renowned Nepali folk singer who passed the musical talent to him, influencing his early artistic development.

“

"My roots are in Nepal but my mother’s home is in Bihar."

— Udit Narayan

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
News18 India Amrit Ratna 2024 : Udit Narayan | Bollywood | Udit Narayan Songs | Interview
·YouTube
More from this archive
News18 India Amrit Ratna 2024 : Udit Narayan | Bollywood | Udit Narayan Songs | Interview
01
News18 India Amrit Ratna 2024 : Udit Narayan | Bollywood | Udit Narayan Songs | Interview
YouTube
Behind the Beats of DDLJ's Iconic Album | Lalit Pandit, Udit Narayan and Neeti Mohan | Spotify India
02
Behind the Beats of DDLJ's Iconic Album | Lalit Pandit, Udit Narayan and Neeti Mohan | Spotify India
YouTube
Udit Narayan | Aamne Saamne | Playback Singer
03
Udit Narayan | Aamne Saamne | Playback Singer
YouTube
Udit Narayan | Aamne Saamne | Playback Singer | Promo
04
Udit Narayan | Aamne Saamne | Playback Singer | Promo
YouTube
Udit Narayan Explains How He Became The Voice Of Superstars | Reveals His Equation With Alka Yagnik
05
Udit Narayan Explains How He Became The Voice Of Superstars | Reveals His Equation With Alka Yagnik
YouTube
Udit Narayan speaking about Mohammad Rafi | Lifeography Film | #uditnarayan #bollywood
06
Udit Narayan speaking about Mohammad Rafi | Lifeography Film | #uditnarayan #bollywood
YouTube
Udit Narayan's EXCLUSIVE Interview On His Career In Music | Flashback Video
07
Udit Narayan's EXCLUSIVE Interview On His Career In Music | Flashback Video
YouTube
UDIT NARAYAN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
08
UDIT NARAYAN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
YouTube
Lata Ji wanted me to sing ‘Tujhe Dekha To’ - #UditNarayan
09
Lata Ji wanted me to sing ‘Tujhe Dekha To’ - #UditNarayan
YouTube
Udit Narayan की जुबानी उनके गांव घर की कहानी !
10
Udit Narayan की जुबानी उनके गांव घर की कहानी !
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Udit Narayan bridged Nepali and Indian music cultures by bringing Nepali folk and language elements into mainstream Bollywood music, influencing generations of singers who followed. His recognition by both the Government of India and the King of Nepal highlights his unique cross-border cultural impact. Through his production work in Bhojpuri cinema, he also helped elevate regional film music to national prominence.

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