Uttam Singh
Encyclopedia
Uttam Singh is an India
n musician. He has worked as a violinist, music arranger and music director for many Bollywood
films.
player. His family moved to Mumbai
, when Singh was 12. He learned tabla
and Western violin
. His family used to sing kirtan
s at various Gurudwaras and religious functions to supplement their income.
). After this, Uttam Singh played violin for major composers including Naushad
, Roshan
, Madan Mohan
, C. Ramchandra
, Sachin Dev Burman
. Later, he became the main violinist for S D Burman's son, Rahul Dev Burman
.
for films. The duo became reputed arrangers, working for over 65 films in several Indian languages. These films included major Rajshri Productions
hits, Maine Pyar Kiya
and Hum Aapke Hain Koun...!
.
s ("Uttam-Jagdish") for Manoj Kumar
's Painter Babu. Later they worked for Manoj Kumar
's other film, Clerk . Together, they also worked on the Smita Patil-Raj Babbar-Raj Kiran-Amrita Singh-Amrish Puri starrer, Waaris (1988). After Jagdish died in 1992, Singh started working independently. His most notable film as a music director was Yash Chopra
's Dil To Pagal Hai
. He also composed music for many other films including Hum Tumpe Marte Hain, Dushman
, Farz
and Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai
. He also composed music for Anil Sharma's Gadar: Ek Prem Katha
(2001) and later Hero-Love Story of a Spy. He is known for his collaboration with the playback singer Udit Narayan
.
With Jagdish ("Uttam-Jagdish")
Nominations
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n musician. He has worked as a violinist, music arranger and music director for many Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
films.
Childhood
Uttam Singh's father was a sitarSitar
The 'Tablaman' is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages...
player. His family moved to Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, when Singh was 12. He learned tabla
Tabla
The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
and Western violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
. His family used to sing kirtan
Kirtan
Kirtan or Kirtana is call-and-response chanting or "responsory" performed in India's devotional traditions. A person performing kirtan is known as a kirtankar. Kirtan practice involves chanting hymns or mantras to the accompaniment of instruments such as the harmonium, tablas, the two-headed...
s at various Gurudwaras and religious functions to supplement their income.
Violinist
Uttam Singh worked as violinist for three years. His big break came in 1963, when he worked as a violinist for a documentary being made by Mohammad Safi (an assistant to NaushadNaushad
Naushad Ali was an Indian musician. He was one of the foremost music directors for Bollywood films, and is particularly known for popularizing the use of classical music in films.His first film as an independent music director was Prem Nagar in 1940...
). After this, Uttam Singh played violin for major composers including Naushad
Naushad
Naushad Ali was an Indian musician. He was one of the foremost music directors for Bollywood films, and is particularly known for popularizing the use of classical music in films.His first film as an independent music director was Prem Nagar in 1940...
, Roshan
Roshan (music director)
Roshanlal Nagrath , better known simply by his first name Roshan, was a Bollywood film music composer. He was the father of the actor and film director Rakesh Roshan and music director Rajesh Roshan and grandfather of Hritik Roshan.-Early life and education:Roshan was born in Gujranwala, Punjab,...
, Madan Mohan
Madan Mohan
Madan Mohan Kohli , better known as Madan Mohan, was a famed Bollywood film music director of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s...
, C. Ramchandra
C. Ramchandra
Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar was a renowned music composer in the movie industry of India. In the composer's role, he mostly used the name C. Ramachandra, though he also used the names Annasaheb , Ram Chitalkar Ramchandra Narhar Chitalkar(Marathi: रामचंद्र नरहर चितळकर /सी.रामचंद्र ) (1918–1982) was...
, Sachin Dev Burman
Sachin Dev Burman
Sachin Dev Burman , also credited as Burman da, Kumar Sachindra Dev Barman, Sachin karta or S. D. Burman, was one of the most famous music composers for Hindi movies and a Bengali singer and composer. His son Rahul Dev Burman also achieved great success as a Bollywood music director in his own...
. Later, he became the main violinist for S D Burman's son, Rahul Dev Burman
Rahul Dev Burman
Rahul Dev Burman commonly known as R. D. Burman and nicknamed Pancham da or simply Pancham, was an influential Bollywood music composer. He was the only son of singer and Bollywood music composer Sachin Dev Burman and his wife Meera...
.
Music arranger
Singh later partnered with another musician, Jagdish, to arrange musicArrangement
The American Federation of Musicians defines arranging as "the art of preparing and adapting an already written composition for presentation in other than its original form. An arrangement may include reharmonization, paraphrasing, and/or development of a composition, so that it fully represents...
for films. The duo became reputed arrangers, working for over 65 films in several Indian languages. These films included major Rajshri Productions
Rajshri Productions
Rajshri Productions Pvt. Ltd. is a Hindi film production company. Rajshri partially works as a film distributor also. On 15 August 1947, Tarachand Barjatya established Rajshri Pictures Ltd., the film distribution division of Rajshri....
hits, Maine Pyar Kiya
Maine Pyar Kiya
Maine Pyar Kiya , English: I Fell in Love) is an Indian Bollywood film directed by Sooraj R. Barjatya, starring Salman Khan and Bhagyashree...
and Hum Aapke Hain Koun...!
Hum Aapke Hain Kaun
Hum Aapke Hain Kaun...! is a 1994 Hindi film directed by Sooraj Barjatya, and produced by Rajshri Productions. It is a remake of Rajshri's earlier movie Nadiya Ke Paar . Hum Aapke Hain Kaun is considered to be one of the most successful Hindi films ever...
.
Music director
Singh and Jagdish worked as music directorMusic director
A music director may be the director of an orchestra, the director of music for a film, the director of music at a radio station, the head of the music department in a school, the co-ordinator of the musical ensembles in a university or college , the head bandmaster of a military band, the head...
s ("Uttam-Jagdish") for Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar is an award-winning Indian actor and director in the Bollywood film industry. He is known for acting in and directing films with patriotic themes, and has been given the nickname "Mr Bharat"...
's Painter Babu. Later they worked for Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar is an award-winning Indian actor and director in the Bollywood film industry. He is known for acting in and directing films with patriotic themes, and has been given the nickname "Mr Bharat"...
's other film, Clerk . Together, they also worked on the Smita Patil-Raj Babbar-Raj Kiran-Amrita Singh-Amrish Puri starrer, Waaris (1988). After Jagdish died in 1992, Singh started working independently. His most notable film as a music director was Yash Chopra
Yash Chopra
Yash Raj Chopra is an Indian filmmaker, film director, screenwriter, and a highly successful Bollywood producer. Waqt, Deewar, Kabhi Kabhie, Silsila, Lamhe, Chandni, Darr, Dil To Pagal Hai, and Veer-Zaara are some of his highly popular movies...
's Dil To Pagal Hai
Dil To Pagal Hai
Dil To Pagal Hai is a Bollywood comedy/drama, released October 31, 1997, depicting the love lives of dancers in a musical dance troupe. The tag line is "Someone somewhere is made for you..." It was directed by Yash Chopra. It stars Shahrukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor, with an extended...
. He also composed music for many other films including Hum Tumpe Marte Hain, Dushman
Dushman
Dushman is 1998 Indian film starring Kajol and Sanjay Dutt copied from Hollywood movie Eye for an Eye-Plot:Sonia and Naina Sehgal are twins. The two are completely different from each other, Sonia being the outgoing twin and Naina being the shy twin...
, Farz
Farz (2001 film)
Farz is a 2001 Hindi/Urdu movie starring Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta, Om Puri and Jackie Shroff.- Synopsis :...
and Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai
Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai
Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai is a 2002 Indian movie directed by Kirti Kumar, starring Govinda and Rani Mukerji. It is a remake of the Tamil movie Sollamale.- Synopsis :...
. He also composed music for Anil Sharma's Gadar: Ek Prem Katha
Gadar: Ek Prem Katha
The music is composed by Uttam Singh. The song listing is as follows:- Awards :Winner:*Filmfare Best Action Award - Tinnu Verma*Filmfare Special Performance Award - Amisha Patel*Sansui Best Actress Award - Amisha Patel...
(2001) and later Hero-Love Story of a Spy. He is known for his collaboration with the playback singer Udit Narayan
Udit Narayan
-Career:King of melody, Udit Narayan Jha was born on 1 December, 1955 in a village called Bhardaha in the Saptari district , Nepal. His father was Hare Krishna Jha and his mother was Bhuwaneshwari Devi.Narayan studied at P.B...
.
Private albums
Singh recorded his first private album Om Sai Ram in 1996. Later, he also composed music for his daughter Preeti Uttam Singh's album Soor (2002).As music director
- BaghbanBaghbanBaghban is a 2003 Bollywood drama film directed by Ravi Chopra, with a star cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Salman Khan, Mahima Chaudhary, Paresh Rawal, Rimi Sen, Lilette Dubey and others...
(2003), with Aadesh ShrivastavaAadesh ShrivastavaAadesh Shrivastava is an Indian composer and singer. Over the course of his career, he has composed the music for over 100 Hindi films. His wife Vijeta Pandit is a former Bollywood actress and the sister of the composer duo Jatin Lalit... - The Hero: Love Story of a Spy (2003)
- PinjarPinjar (film)Pinjar is a 2003 film about Hindu-Muslim problems during the time around the partition of India. The film is based on a Punjabi novel by the same name, written by Amrita Pritam...
(2003) - Pyaar Diwana Hota HaiPyaar Diwana Hota HaiPyaar Diwana Hota Hai is a 2002 Indian movie directed by Kirti Kumar, starring Govinda and Rani Mukerji. It is a remake of the Tamil movie Sollamale.- Synopsis :...
(2002) - Gadar: Ek Prem KathaGadar: Ek Prem KathaThe music is composed by Uttam Singh. The song listing is as follows:- Awards :Winner:*Filmfare Best Action Award - Tinnu Verma*Filmfare Special Performance Award - Amisha Patel*Sansui Best Actress Award - Amisha Patel...
(2001) - FarzFarz (2001 film)Farz is a 2001 Hindi/Urdu movie starring Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta, Om Puri and Jackie Shroff.- Synopsis :...
(2001) - Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (2001)
- Prem Poojari (Malayalam) (1999)
- Hum Tum Pe Marte Hain (1999)
- DushmanDushmanDushman is 1998 Indian film starring Kajol and Sanjay Dutt copied from Hollywood movie Eye for an Eye-Plot:Sonia and Naina Sehgal are twins. The two are completely different from each other, Sonia being the outgoing twin and Naina being the shy twin...
(1998) - Dil To Pagal HaiDil To Pagal HaiDil To Pagal Hai is a Bollywood comedy/drama, released October 31, 1997, depicting the love lives of dancers in a musical dance troupe. The tag line is "Someone somewhere is made for you..." It was directed by Yash Chopra. It stars Shahrukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor, with an extended...
(1997) - Jazbaat (1994)
With Jagdish ("Uttam-Jagdish")
- Paanch Fauladi (1988)
- Kabrastan (1988)
- Painter Babu (1983)
- Mehndi Shagna Di (1992)
- Clerk (1989)
- Waaris (1988)
- Teesra Kinara (1986)
- Chann Pardesi (1980)
As music assistant
- Guddu (1995)
- Andaz Apna ApnaAndaz apna apnaAndaz Apna Apna is a 1994 Hindi film directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, starring Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Raveena Tandon, Karisma Kapoor, Paresh Rawal and Shakti Kapoor in the lead roles. Govinda and Juhi Chawla make guest appearances....
(1994) - Pyaar Ka Tarana (1993)
- Patthar (1991)
- Khamosh (1985)
- Purana Mandir (1984)
- Mandi (1983)
- Dharam Kanta (1982)
- 36 Chowringhee Lane36 Chowringhee Lane36 Chowringee Lane is a 1981 film written and directed by Aparna Sen and produced by Shashi Kapoor. The film was very well received upon release. It stars Jennifer Kendal in a critically acclaimed role and Debashree Roy.-Plot:...
(1981) - Aaina (1977)
- Yauwan (1973)
As music arranger/conductor
- Hum Aapke Hain Koun...!Hum Aapke Hain KaunHum Aapke Hain Kaun...! is a 1994 Hindi film directed by Sooraj Barjatya, and produced by Rajshri Productions. It is a remake of Rajshri's earlier movie Nadiya Ke Paar . Hum Aapke Hain Kaun is considered to be one of the most successful Hindi films ever...
(1994) - Benaam Badsha (1991)
- Patthar Ke Phool (1991)
- Maine Pyar KiyaMaine Pyar KiyaMaine Pyar Kiya , English: I Fell in Love) is an Indian Bollywood film directed by Sooraj R. Barjatya, starring Salman Khan and Bhagyashree...
(1989)
Miscellaneous
- Kachchi SadakKachchi SadakKachchi Sadak is a 2006 Bollywood film directed by Sanjay D Singh. The film stars Rahul Singh, Parmita Katkar, Madhoo, Mukesh Tiwari, Amrish Puri, Rahul Dev and Mithun Chakraborty in a Special appearance....
(2006), music soundtrack - Taj Mahal—An Eternal Love StoryTaj Mahal—An Eternal Love StoryTaj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story is a 2005 Hindi film directed by Akbar Khan. The movie starred Kabir Bedi, Sonya Jehan, Manisha Koirala, Arbaaz Khan, Vaquar Sheikh and Pooja Batra in the title roles. The movie was released on 18 November in India. It was an instant flop, even though it was heavily...
(2005), background score - Hum Jo Keh Na Paaye (2005) (Television)
- Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (2002), background music
- Benaam Badshah (1991), background music
- ShivaShiva (film)Shiva is a 1989 Telugu-language film. The 1989 Indian film starring Akkineni Nagarjuna and Amala which deals with violence and student politics inside the college campus. The film was written by Tanikella Bharani and directed by film-maker Ram Gopal Verma who made his debut with this film. The...
(1990), songs mixer
Awards and nominations
Awards- Filmfare Best Music Director AwardFilmfare Best Music Director AwardThe Filmfare Best Music Director Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to the best composer/arranger of a soundtrack. This category was first presented in 1954. Naushad was the first recipient of this award for his song "Tu Ganga Ki Mauj"...
- 1997 (for Dil To Pagal HaiDil To Pagal HaiDil To Pagal Hai is a Bollywood comedy/drama, released October 31, 1997, depicting the love lives of dancers in a musical dance troupe. The tag line is "Someone somewhere is made for you..." It was directed by Yash Chopra. It stars Shahrukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor, with an extended...
)
Nominations
- International Indian Film Academy Award (Best Music Director)IIFA Best Music Director AwardThe IIFA Best Music Director Award is chosen by the viewers and the winner is announced at the actual ceremony.The winners are listed below: A.R.Rahman has the most awards with 6 wins.- See also :* IIFA Awards* Bollywood* Cinema of India...
- 2002 (for Gadar: Ek Prem KathaGadar: Ek Prem KathaThe music is composed by Uttam Singh. The song listing is as follows:- Awards :Winner:*Filmfare Best Action Award - Tinnu Verma*Filmfare Special Performance Award - Amisha Patel*Sansui Best Actress Award - Amisha Patel...
) - Filmfare Best Music Director AwardFilmfare Best Music Director AwardThe Filmfare Best Music Director Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to the best composer/arranger of a soundtrack. This category was first presented in 1954. Naushad was the first recipient of this award for his song "Tu Ganga Ki Mauj"...
- 2002 (for Gadar: Ek Prem KathaGadar: Ek Prem KathaThe music is composed by Uttam Singh. The song listing is as follows:- Awards :Winner:*Filmfare Best Action Award - Tinnu Verma*Filmfare Special Performance Award - Amisha Patel*Sansui Best Actress Award - Amisha Patel...
) - Screen Weekly Award (Best Background Music) -2004 (for PinjarPinjar (film)Pinjar is a 2003 film about Hindu-Muslim problems during the time around the partition of India. The film is based on a Punjabi novel by the same name, written by Amrita Pritam...
) - Zee Cine Award Best Background MusicZee Cine Award Best Background MusicThe Zee Cine Award Best Background Music is chosen by the jury and the winner is announced at the ceremony.The winners are listed below:-...
- 2003 (for PinjarPinjar (film)Pinjar is a 2003 film about Hindu-Muslim problems during the time around the partition of India. The film is based on a Punjabi novel by the same name, written by Amrita Pritam...
) - Screen Weekly Award (Best Music Director) -2002 (for Gadar: Ek Prem KathaGadar: Ek Prem KathaThe music is composed by Uttam Singh. The song listing is as follows:- Awards :Winner:*Filmfare Best Action Award - Tinnu Verma*Filmfare Special Performance Award - Amisha Patel*Sansui Best Actress Award - Amisha Patel...
)