Anuradha Paudwal

Anuradha Paudwal (born 27 October 1954) is an Indian playback singer and politician who works predominantly in Hindi cinema. She has been described in media as one of the most prominent Bhajan singer and also as one of the most successful playback singers of 80s and 90s era of Bollywood. The recipient of several accolades including a National Film Award, four Filmfare Awards (winning consecutively during 1990–92) and two Odisha State Film Awards, she has been honoured by the Government of India with the Padma Shri, the country's fourth-highest civilian honour for her contribution in the field of arts. Her contribution in Indian devotional music and Bollywood Industry gained her the titles such as "Bhajan Queen", "Melody Queen".

She was honored with honorary degree of D.Litt. by D Y Patil University, the second singer to receive this degree after Lata Mangeshkar. She is engaged in social work and had a foundation named Suryodaya Foundation. In her career spanning over five decades Paudwal has recorded more than 9,000 songs and more than 1,500 bhajans in several languages including Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Sanskrit, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, Assamese, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Nepali and Maithili. She is ranked NO. 31 in Youtube's Music Charts and Insights list of top global artist as of 3 February 2022. She has been on chart since last 237 weeks. She has been awarded a doctorate in music by DY Patil University felicitated by the house of commons in England and awarded the Cultural ambassador to Indian devotional by the United Nations in New York.

She started her political career by joining Bharatiya Janata Party on 16th March 2024 ahead of 2024 Indian general election.

Career
Paudwal made her debut from a Sanskrit verse in the 1973 Hindi film Abhiman, composed by S. D. Burman. She has also sung in films including Marathi, Odia, Nepali, Bengali and Kannada.

Early days and Success
Before entering in Bollywood she sang in a Radio program. She started her music journey in 1973 from film Abhiman where she sang a Sanskrit verse for Jaya Bhaduri. In 1970s, she sang a few popular songs which were praised by the music composers as well as public, but doesn't get much popularity. At that time she sang as a dubbing artist.

She obtained popularity from her song Tu Mera Janu Hai along with Manhar Udhas in film Hero. She had been asked to 'dub' this song for the actual singer - Lata Mangeshkar. Later Lataji was to have sung the song for the actual recording. But when music director duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal heard Anuradha's version, they determined that since the movie had an actress, Meenakshi Seshadri, making her debut, it was only appropriate that the song should also be sung by a fresh voice. After that in mid-80s, she sang along with Mohammed Aziz, and this duo was highly liked by public. It was at this time that Anuradha Paudwal started to climb the ladder of success. After that she sang songs with established singers of that time and worked with many music composers. At that time she met Nadeem–Shravan who were struggling at that time. She listened to some of their songs and asked them to compose music for her. They composed 23 songs which were sung by her along with Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan, Abhijeet Bhattacharya, Babla Mehta among others. Ten songs out of them are to be released as Chahat album, which were later released as film songs in Aashiqui movie in 1990.

As an established singer
When music of the film Aashiqui was released, it became popular in no time. It established Anuradha Paudwal as a successful playback singer. After that Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin, and Sadak were released in 1991, which were also immensely successful. Several other albums release at that time made her an established singer and she was often given preference over Mangeshkar sisters. When she was at the peak of her career, she decided to sing exclusively for T-Series. And after this her immensely successful Bollywood career started falling slowly and other female playback singers like Alka Yagnik, Kavita Krishnamurti and Sadhana Sargam came into prominence.

As a bhajan singer
After quitting Bollywood she started singing devotional songs. One day before Navratri Gulshan Kumar asked Anuradha Paudwal to sing devotional songs of maa Durga. Anuradha sang those bhajans and when these were released in market these sold immediately. After this she started singing devotional songs one after one and never look back again. Her Bhajans are extremely popular in India specially her Shiv and Durga bhajans. Apart from Hindu Bhajans she also sang some Islamic, Christian, Jain, Boddha, and Sikhh Devotional songs. She has sung thousands of bhajans and is still active in Bhajan singing.

Re-entry in Bollywood
In 1997 Gulshan Kumar got murdered and after that Anuradha Paudwal again started to sing songs for other music labels. She again started working with Tips Industries, Venus Records & Tapes, and others. She got some of the best songs and became popular again, but at that time Alka Yagnik was dominating the Industry and Anuradha Paudwal didn't receive much success which she achieved earlier. She continued to sing till 2006 and after that she quit Bollywood.

Work with other singers
She started her music journey from 1973. She has worked with Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, Yesudas, Manna Dey, Mohammed Aziz, Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan, Sonu Nigam, Mukesh, Pankaj Udhas, Manhar Udhas, Suresh Wadkar, Nitin Mukesh, Abhijeet Bhattacharya and many other male singers.

She has worked with Kavita Krishnamurti, Alka Yagnik, Sadhana Sargam, Asha Bhosle and many other female singers.

After working with almost all notable singers and musicians and establishing herself as an established singer she completely quitted the Bollywood in 2006. She sang her last song 'Palkein uthake Dekhiye' in film Jaane Hoga Kya.

Legacy
Paudwal has recorded 23 songs with the music composer Nadeem–Shravan. These songs were used in 3 films – Aashiqui, Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin and Sadak. All three films were blockbusters, and for the songs, Anuradha Paudwal won two Filmfare Awards. Aashiqui is the third most selling album ever in Indian Music Industry. Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin was 5th most selling soundtrack of 1991. Sadak was the third most selling album of 1991. These songs were released under the label T-Series.

Her chhath geet are extremely popular and has crossed 47 million views on YouTube. Her gayatri matra is immensely popular and crossed 220 million views on YouTube. Her Shiv Amritwani has become highly popular and has crossed 250 million views collectively on YouTube. Hanuman Amritwani recorded by her has crossed 450 million views on YouTube. Shiv Bhajans and Durga bhajans sung by her are immensely popular in India.

She has sung thousands of songs in several languages. She has won four Filmfare Awards out of eleven nominations.

Television and albums Appearance
Paudwal is one among the most popular singers in India. She has appeared in The Kapil Sharma Show as a guest along with Udit Narayan and Kumar Sanu. She has also appeared in popular singing show Indian Idol as a special guest where she share some of the memories of her career. Apart from this, She has also appeared in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa singing reality show. She has also appeared in Superstar Singer Season 2 singing reality show.

She has also appeared in many devotional albums like Shiv Amritwani, Mamta Ka Mandir, Hanuman Amritwani and also has special appearances in various Bollywood Movies like Saathi, Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain, Jai Maa Vaishno Devi.

Personal life
She was born as Alka Nadkarni, in a Marathi speaking family in Karwar. She was married to Arun Paudwal, a music composer, with whom she had a son Aditya and a daughter Kavita, a singer by profession. Anuradha survived a helicopter crash in 2002 in Madhya Pradesh. On 12 September 2020, her son Aditya died of kidney failure.

Awards and recognitions
She has been honoured with many awards including 4 Filmfare Awards, 1 National Film Award and Padma Shri by Government of India. Her other accolades are as follows:
 * 2017: Padma Shri by Government of India
 * 2013: Mohammed Rafi Award by Government of Maharashtra
 * 2011: Mother Teresa Award for Lifetime Achievement
 * 2010: Lata Mangeshkar Award by the Madhya Pradesh Government

Filmfare Awards
Won
 * 1986: Best Female Playback Singer – "Mere Man Bajo Mridang" (Utsav)
 * 1991: Best Female Playback Singer – "Nazar Ke Saamne" (Aashiqui)
 * 1992: Best Female Playback Singer – "Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin" (Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin)
 * 1993: Best Female Playback Singer – "Dhak Dhak Karne Laga" (Beta)

Nominations
 * 1983: Best Female Playback Singer – "Maine Ek Geet Likha Hai" (Yeh Nazdeekiyan)
 * 1984: Best Female Playback Singer – "Tu Mera Hero Hain" (Hero (1983 film))
 * 1989: Best Female Playback Singer – "Keh Do Ki Tum" (Tezaab)
 * 1990: Best Female Playback Singer – "Tera Naam Liya" (Ram Lakhan)
 * 1990: Best Female Playback Singer – "Bekhabar Bewafa" (Ram Lakhan)
 * 1991: Best Female Playback Singer – "Mujhe Neend Na Aaye" (Dil)
 * 1992: Best Female Playback Singer – "Bahut Pyar Karte Hain " (Saajan)

National Film Awards

 * 1989:	Best Playback Singer (Female) – "He Ek Reshami" Kalat Nakalat (Marathi)

Odisha State Film Awards

 * 1987: Odisha State Film Award for Best Singer – Tunda Baida
 * 1997: Odisha State Film Award for Best Singer – Khandaei Akhi Re Luha

Guild Film Awards

 * 2004: Nominated for Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer

Others

 * She was honoured with D Litt degree by the D.Y. Patil University.
 * The Citizen Award, which she received at the hand of late Shri Rajiv Gandhi in 1989.
 * The prestigious Mahila Shiromani award in 1993 at the hands of the first lady Smt. Vimal Sharma.
 * Honoured with 'Mahakaal Award' by the Madhya Pradesh govt.2004
 * Kishore Samman by Samrat Sangeet Sadhana Seva Samiti.