~~~~~*Your Idol at a Glance*~~~~~ - Page 2

Profile No: 7

Naushad

Composer

Date of Birth: 25^th December, 1919.

Childhood: He born in Lucknow. His father was Wahid Ali was a clerk of court. When he was seven years old, he was attracted towards music when he listen a flute player playing flute. He started learning harmonium from famous harmonium player of Lucknow, Ustad Babbon Shahib and setar from Ustad Iusuf Ali. He also learned writing poem from Ustad Umar Ansari, but his name was to become a Music Director.

Journey: He started his career as an assistant Music Director in Music Director Jhande Khan's unit. He also worked in Ranjit studio as an assistant of famous Music Director Khemchand Prakash.

Debut album: 'Prem Nagar' in 1940.

Hit Songs:

Jab dil hi tut gaya – Noorjahan (Anmol Ghadi)

Jawan hai mohabbat – Noorjahan (Anmol Ghadi)

Suhani raat dhal chuki – Md.Rafi (Dulari)

Dharke mera dil mujhko – Shamsad Begam (Babul)

Tu mere chand mein tere chandni – Suraia, Shyam (Dillagi)

Bachpan ke mohabbat ko – Lata Mangeshkar (Baiju Bawra)

Mohabbat ki jhuti kahani - Lata Mangeshkar (Mughal E Ajam)

Gujre hai aj ishq - Md.Rafi (Dil Diya Dard Liya)

Aj ki raat mere dil ki - Md.Rafi (Ram aur Shyam)

Madhuban me radhika nache re - Md.Rafi (Kohinoor)

Award:

Padma Bibhushan.

Dadabhai Falke.

Off bit:

He was the first music director in bollywood whose name was used in posters of films.

He was the highest paid music director in his time, his fees was Rs.1 lakh.

He started 'Metro Marfi Contest' with Anil Biswas and C.Ramchandra, it was the first musical talent hunt in India.

He founded 'Naushad Academy' in 1998.

He was also a good poet. His collection of poems was published under the title 'Atwa Sur'.

Profile No: 8

Alka Yagnik

Singer

Date of Birth: 20^th March,

Childhood: Born in Calcutta, Alka Yagnik is the daughter of Shubha Yagnik, a classical singer who could not continue to sing due to a throat problem. Her mother, like all mothers, always wanted her daughter to achieve what she had been deprived of. She knew music ran in her blood when Alka would need a radio to sleep.

Journey: Alka went through rigorous music training at a very early age under a series of teachers and gurus. Her talent was noticed early on, and she was singing bhajans and some simple songs for All India Radio in Calcutta at an age as early as six! Alka won a lot of singing competitions, including a Sugam Sangeet competition in Calcutta. Developing her talent through school and college under the able guidance of her mother, she was soon prompted to move to Bombay to try her luck with playback singing. The competition in this arena was really fierce and Alka had little hope of making it anywhere with her singing. However, she thought about it and decided to give herself a chance. Music directors Kalyanji and Anandji took her under their wing but advised her mother, who had brought her, to wait till her voice matured and try for a career only as an adult singer, as Alka was just ten then. On a subsequent visit, she got a letter of introduction to Raj Kapoor from his Calcutta distributor. Raj Kapoor heard Alkas' voice and sent her with a letter to Laxmikant. Impressed, Laxmikant gave her two alternatives, either to immediately start as a dubbing artist, or to come back later, when her voice had matured, as a full fledged singer. The Yagniks settled for the latter. In early 1979, Alka got to sing a few lines in Rajshri's 'Payal Ki Jhankar'.

Debut: Hum Tum Rahenge', a duet with Amit Kumar for Rajesh Roshan in the film 'Hamari Bahu Alka'.

Turning Point: Ek Do Teen from the film Tezaab (1988).

Hit Songs:

Dil Apna Punjabi (2006) - Sohniye Ft. Harbhajan Mann

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

Barsaat (2005) - Yeh Jo Dil Ha

Lucky: No Time for Love (2005) - Chori Chori

Swades (2004) - Saanwariya Saanwariya

Hum Tum (2004) - Hum Tum

Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) - Laal Dupatta

Andaaz (2003) - Kisise Tum Pyaar Karo

Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) - Kuch To Hua Hai

Chori Chori (2003) - Aata Aata

Chalte Chalte (2003) - Tauba

Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love (2002) - Ek Dil Hai

Raaz (2002) - Aapke Pyaar Mein

The Hero: Love Story of a Spy (2002) - Dil Mein Hai Pyaar

Mujhse Dosti Karoge! (2002) - Jaane Dil Se

Dil Chahta Hai (2001) - Jaana Kyon

Dhadkan (2000) - Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Dil Se

Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000) - Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai

Sarfarosh (1999) - Jo Haal Dil Ka

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) - Chand Chupa

Taal (1999) - Taal Se

Duplicate (1998) - Mere Mehboob Mera Sanam

Ghulam (1998) - Aati Kya Khandala

Khamoshi: The Musical (1996) - Bahon Ke Darmiyan

Raja Hindustani (1996) - Pardesi Pardesi

Karan Arjun (1995) - Jaati Hoon Main

Coolie No. 1 (1995) - Mein To Raste

Mein Khiladi Tu Anari (1994) - Churake Dil Mera

Criminal (1994) - Tu Mile Dil Khile

Mohra (1994) - Tip Tip Barsa Paani

Baazigar (1993) - Baazigar O Baazigar

Khiladi (1992) - Waada Raha Sanam

Beta (1992) - Dhak Dhak Karna Laga

Saajan (1991) - Dekha Hai Pehli Baar

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) - Akela Hain To Kya Ghum Hai

Award:

Film-Fare Award for Best Female Playback for Ek Do Teen for the film Tezaab in 1988,

Film-Fare Award for Best Female Playback for Choli Ke Peeche for the film Khalnayak (shared with Ila Arun) in 1993,

National Film Award for Best Female Playback for Ghoongat Ki Aad Se for the film Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke in 1994,

Film-Fare Award for Best Female Playback for Zara Tasveer Se Tu for the film Pardes in1997,

Film-Fare Award for Best Female Playback for Taal Se Taal for the film Taal in 1999,

National Film Award for Best Female Playback for the film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in 1999,

Film-Fare Award for Best Female Playback for Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Dil Se for the film Dhadkan in 2000,

Film-Fare Award for Best Female Playback for O Re Chhori for the film Lagaan in 2001,

Film-Fare Award for Best Female Playback for Hum Tum for the film Hum Tum in 2004.

Profile No: 9

Bappi Lahiri

Composer

Date of Birth: 27^th,1953

Childhood: Bappi Lahiri was born in Calcutta, West Bengal in 1953 into a family with a rich tradition in classical music. His father, Aparesh Lahiri was a famous Bengali singer and his mother, Bansari Lahiri was musician singer who was well-versed in classical music and Shyama Sangeet. He was their only child.

Journey: At a very early age, he had an ambition to become famous, not only nationally, but internationally. He began to play the tabla at the tender age of three. His relatives from his mother's family include Kishore Kumar and the S. Mukherjee clan. Initially, he was trained by his parents.He received his first opportunity in a Bengali film, Daadu (1972) at the age of 19.

Debut album:

Film: Nanha Shikari (1973).

Turning Point: Zakhmee (1975)

Hit Songs:

Rahi Hu Mein (Wanted),

Tu Mujhe Jaan Se Bhi Pyaraa hai (Wardat),

Bombai Se Aaya mera Dost (Aap ki khatir),

Yaad Aa Raha Hai (Disco Dancer),

Super Dancer (Dance Dance),

Jeena Bhi Kya Hai Jeena (Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki),

Tera Mera Pehla Yaarana (Shart),

Raat Baaki (Namak Halal),

Yaar Bina Chain Kaha Re (Saheb)

Award:

Film-Fare Awards for best music director in 1984

Golden Award for the music in China.

Off bit:

He is very fond of jewellery and is usually found wearing gold ornaments and black glares.

Profile No: 10

Lata Mangeshkar

Singer

Real Name: Lata Mangeshkar

Also Known as: Nightingale of India

Date of Birth: 28^th September, 1929

Childhood: Lata was born in Indore, Madhya Pradesh into a middle-class Maharashtrian family. She was the firstborn child and daughter of Dinanath Mangeshkar and his second wife Shudhmati Mangeshkar. Her father was a theatre actor and classical singer. Her siblings are Hridayanath Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar and Meena Mangeshkar. All of the siblings, except Meena, chose music as their careers. Although she was born at Indore, Lata was raised in Maharashtra.

Journey: When she was 5 years old, Lata started working as an actress in several plays known as "sangeet nataks"in which her father was performing. Her father also began giving her singing lessons when at that age. Dinanath's recitals, his tutelage of various students and his practice of music all left an impression on Lata. Ironically, according to Lata, her father forbade the listening to or singing of any Hindi film music, except K. L. Saigal's songs.

Debut album:

Film: Kiti Hasaal (1942)

Turning point: Aayega Aanewaala (Mahal, 1949)

Hit Songs:

Film:

Angrezi chhora chala gaya (Majboor)

Dil mera toda Haaye (Majboor)

Mujhe kahinka na choda tere pyaar ne (Majboor)

Aayega Aanewaala (Mahal)

Jiya beqarar hai

Chhod gaye baalam

Yaad rakhna chaand taaron is suhani raat ko

Chup Chup khadi ho

Chale jaana nahin

Jo dil mein khushi ban kar aaye

Saajan ki oat leke

Dil leke dil diya hai

Sainyan tori baiyyan mein

Kya haal hai huzoor ke dil ka

Tum na jaane kis jahaan mein kho gaye (Sazaa, 1951)

Phaili hui hain sapnon ki baahein (House No. 44).

Man dole mera tan dole

Jadugar saiyyan

Mera dil yeh pukaare aaja

Oonchi oonchi deewaaren

Chhup gaya koi re (Champakali)

Vande Maataram (Anandmath)

Lara lappa Lara lappa (Ek Thi Ladki)

Yeh zindagi usiki hai (Anarkali)

Mohabbat aisi dhadkan hai (Anarkali)

Jaag dard ishq jaag (Anarkali)

O aasman waale (Anarkali)

And a lot!!

Award:

Padma Bhushan in 1969

Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India in 1999.

Raja-Lakshmi Award from Sri Raja-Lakshmi Foundation, Chennai in 1990.

Platinum Disc of EMI London

Filmfare Awards (4 times)

Off bit:

Lata didn't like acting very much, but the death of her father and financial need forced her to play cameo roles in many Hindi/Urdu and Marathi films. Her first role was in Pahili Mangalagaur (1942), where she played the younger sister to actress Snehprabha Pradhan. She went on to act in many more feature films including, Maaze Baal, Jeevan Yatra (1946), and Chhatrapati Shivaji (1952). In Badi Maa, Lata acted with Noor Jehan and her younger sister Asha Bhosle. She sang for herself and did playback for Asha.

Lata (in the compilation "Lata In Her Own Voice") credits famed maestro Anil Biswas as her tutor in voice and breath control.

In 1990, Lata launched her own production house. Her first (and the only) movie as a producer -- Lekin -- flopped, but the music (composed by her brother, Hridaynath) was well-appreciated. "Yaara seeli seeli", written by Gulzar, is considered to be one of the best songs that Lata has ever sung.

Lata owns a flat in London. She and her sister Asha Bhosle can be often found vacationing in London.

Profile No: 11

Asha Bhosle

Singer

Date of Birth: 8^th September, 1933

Childhood: A young Asha BhosleAsha Bhosle was born in the small hamlet of Goar in Sangli, Maharashtra, into the musical family of Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar. When she was nine years old, her father died. The family moved from Pune to Kolhapur and then to Bombay. She and her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar began singing and acting in films to support their family

Journey: At the time, prominent playback singers like Geeta Dutt, Shamshad Begum and Lata Mangeshkar (her sister) monopolized the singing for the "heroine" roles and the big films. Asha Bhosle got the assignments they didn't take: singing for the bad girls and vamps or in the second-grade movies. In the 1950s, she sang more songs than any other playback singer in Bollywood, but most of these were in B or C-grade films. She also sang many songs for Marathi films such as Majha hoshil Kaa?, Khedyamadhle ghar kaularu, bugadi mazi and Nach re mora which are considered classics today. She also sang many Marathi bhajans, natyageet and bhav-geet in this period which is popular in Maharashtra to this day. Asha Bhosle first achieved success in B. R. Chopra's Naya Daur (1957), composed by O. P. Nayyar.

Debut album:

Film: Chala Chala Nav Bala (Majha Bal, 1943)

Turning point: Naya Daur (1957)

Hit Songs:

Maang ke saath tumhara,

Saathi haath badhana

Uden jab jab zulfein teri,

Aaja Aaja

O Haseena Zulfonwali

O Mere Sona Re

Dil cheez kya hai,

In aankhon ki masti ke

Ye kya jagah hai doston

Justju jiski thi.

Tanha Tanha

Rangeela Re.

Award:

Filmfare Award for Garibon ki suno (Dus Lakh, 1966), in 1967

Filmfare Award for Parde mein rahne do (Shikar, 1968), in 1968

Filmfare Award for Piya Tu Ab To Aaja (Caravan, 1971), in 1971

Filmfare Award for Dum Maro Dum (Hare Rama Hare Krishna, 1971), in 1972

Filmfare Award for Hone Lagi Hain Raat (Naina, 1973), in 1973

Filmfare Award for 1974 – Chain se Humko Kabhi (Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye, 1974)

Filmfare Award for Yeh Mera Dil (Don, 1978) in 1977

Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001.

Indian National Award for Dil Cheez Kya Hai (Umrao Jaan) in 1981.

Indian National Award Mera Kuch Samaan (Ijazat) in 1986

Maharashtra State Awards (17 times)

Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2001 for her outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.

Nightingale Of Asia Award (from the Indo–Pak Association, UK) in 1987

Lata Mangeshkar Award (Government of Madhya Pradesh) in 1989

Screen Videocon Award (for the album Jaanam Samajha Karo) in 1997

MTV Award (for the album Jaanam Samajha Karo) in 1997

Channel V Award (for the album Jaanam Samjha Karo) in 1997

Lata Mangeshar Award (Government of Maharashtra) in 1999

Singer Of the Millennium (Dubai) in 2000

Zee Gold Bollywood Award (for Mujhe rang de from Thakshak) in 2000

MTV Award (for Kambakht Ishq) 2001

BBC Lifetime Achievement Award (presented by the UK Prime Minister Tony Blair) in 2002

Zee Cine Award (for Radha kaise na jale from Lagaan) in 2002

Zee Cine - Hall Of Fame in 2002

Screen Videocon Award (for Radha kaise na jale from Lagaan) in 2002

Sansui Movie Award (for Radha kaise na jale from Lagaan) in 2002

Swaralaya Yesudas Award for outstanding contributions to Indian music in 2002

Off bit:

In 1997, she became the first Indian singer to be nominated for the Grammy Award, for Legacy, an album with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan.

Asha also holds honorary doctorates from the University of Amravati and University of Jalgaon in Literature. She has also received the The Freddie Mercury Award for Outstanding Achievement in Arts.

The Birmingham Film Festival paid her a special tribute in November, 2002.

Asha is an excellent cook and cooking is her favorite hobby. She often gets flooded with requests by Bollywood celebrities for kadai ghosht and biryani and has rarely turned down a request.

Asha is a successful restauranteur and runs a restaurant in Dubai, called Asha's.

Asha is a good mimicry artist as well. At a concert at World Trade Center Duabi, on April 22 2004, she mimicked the song Kabhi To Nazar Milaao in the voices of Noor Jehan, Lata Mangeshkar and Ghulam Ali

Profile No: 12

Mohammed Rafi

Singer

Date of Birth: 24^th September, 1924

Childhood: Rafi was born at Kotla Sultan Singh Village near Amritsar in Punjab, to a middle class Muslim family. His family shifted to Lahore when he was still a baby. Every day, a "fakir" used to come to their locality in Lahore and sing. The young Rafi was so fascinated by him that he used to follow him around. His elder brother Hameed was aware of Rafi's love for music and encouraged it. In Lahore, Rafi started taking music lessons from Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan and he also learned Indian classical music from Ghulam Ali Khan.

Journey: One day Rafi and his brother Hameed went to attend a performance by K. L. Saigal. But the legendary singer refused to sing because there was a power failure at the venue. Hamed went up to the organiser to ask whether his brother could sing to keep the audience quiet. That was Rafi's first public performnce at the age of 13. Among the audience sat noted composer Shyam Sunder, who invited Rafi to Bombay.

Debut album:

Film: Soniye nee, Heeriye nee (Gul Baloch)

Hit Songs:

Yahan Badla Wafa Ka

dard-e-dil, dard-e-jigar,

Kya hua tera waada

Award:

Filmfare Award for Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho (Film: Chaudhvin Ka Chand) in 1960

Filmfare Award for Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko (Film: Sasural) in 1961

Filmfare Award for Chahunga Mein Tujhe (Film: Dosti) in 1964

Padma Sri award from the Indian government in 1965

Filmfare Award for Baharon Phool Barasao (Film: Suraj) in 1966

Filmfare Award for Dil Ke Jharoke Mein (Film: Brahmachari) in 1968

National Award for Babul Ki Duayein Leti Ja (Film: Neel Kamal) in 1968

Filmfare Award for Kya Hua Tera Vaada (Film: Hum Kisise Kum Nahin) in 1977

National Award for Kya Hua Tera Vaada (Film: Hum Kisise Kum Nahin) in 1977

Off bit:

He was a teetotaller, a religious and extremely humble person.

Once, when a lesser-known composer, Nisar Bazmi (who migrated to Pakistan in early 1960s), didn't have enough money to pay him, Rafi charged a fee of one rupee and sang for him. He even helped producers financially. As Laxmikant (of the Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo) once observed - "He always gave without thinking of the returns".

Rafi was also famous for his various humanitarian efforts.

Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar had a major debate over the issue of royalties in 1960s. Rafi believed that once a recording was over and a singer has been paid, he or she should not ask for more. Lata, on the other hand said that singers should be paid royalties for their works, over and above the amount given for the singing. This led to a fall out between them. They refused to sing songs together. At the insistence of Nargis they finally made up at a stage concert and sang Dil Pukare from the film Jewel thief, composed by S D Burman.

Profile No: 13

Kailash Kher

Singer

Date of Birth:

Childhood: He born in Mirat, but spent his childhood in Delhi. He was attracted towards music in that age only. Many saints used to come to their house occasionally. Though he did not understand the complete lyrics, little Kailash used to pay great attention to their songs.

Journey: In childhood he often went to programmes of folk music with his father. At that period he fell in love with folk and Sufi music. He started learning classical music at the age of 12.

Debut album:

Non-Film: Awargi

Film: Rabba ishq na hobe (Andaj)

Ad Jingle: Nakshatra

Turning Point: Allah ke bande (Waisa bhi hota hai, Part-2) in 2002.

Hit Songs:

Non-Film:

Mai aur mere awargi (Awargi)

Teri Diwani (Kailasha)

Tuba tauba (Kailasha)

Dilruba (Kailasha)

Film:

Allah ke bande (Waisa bhi hota hai, Part-2)

Mangal mangal (Mangal Pandey: The Rising)

O sikandar (Corporate)

Award:

Star Screen Award (2004),

Star Dust Award (2004),

Young Achiever Award by Indo-American Society

Off bit:

Unlike other celebrities in Bollywood he used to deal a very simple life. Also sometimes he doesn't take any fees for public performance.

Profile No: 14

A. R. Rahman

Composer/Singer/Instrumentalist

Real Name: A. S. Dileep Kumar

Best Known as: Abdul Rahman, Allah Rakkha Rahman, A.R. Rahman, and A. R. Rehman.

Also Known as: Chennai Kid, Storm of music, Indian Mozart.

Date of Birth: 6^th January, 1966

Childhood: Rahman is the only son of R. K. Sekhar, who was a composer, arranger and conductor for Malayalam films. His father died when Rahman was nine years old, and his family used to rent out musical equipment to make ends meet, something they found very difficult. During those hard times, a Sufi (Muslim) saint helped them spiritually. This led Dileep to convert to Islam, changing his name to Allah Rakha Rahman.

Journey: At the age of 11, Rahman joined the troupe of Indian composer Ilaiyaraja as a keyboardist. He later played on the orchestra of M.S. Vishwanathan and Ramesh Naidu, and accompanied Zakir Hussain and Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan on world tours. The experience allowed him to obtain a scholarship to Trinity College at Oxford University, where he received a degree in Western classical music. In 1991, Rahman began his own studio (attached to his house), called the Panchathan Record Inn. He initially composed music for use in advertisements, the title music on popular Indian Television channels and music in documentaries, among other projects. Rahman was, at first, hesitant about composing music for the Indian film industry primarily because most film makers at the time used songs as "fillers" - a means by which the audience was given a break from the movie's plot. In 1991 he was approached by film director Mani Ratnam, who offered Rahman the job as composer of music for his upcoming film Roja.

Debut album:

Non-Film: Deen Isai maalai- An Islamic devotional Album.

Film: Roja

Award:

1993- National Film Award for Best Music Direction - Roja (Tamil)

1995 - Filmfare Best Music Director Award - Rangeela

1997 - National Film Award for Best Music Direction - Minsaara Kanavu (Tamil)

1998 - Filmfare Best Music Director Award - Dil Se

1999 - Filmfare Best Music Director Award – Taal

2000 - Zee Cine Award Best Music Director – Taal

2001 - Filmfare Best Music Director Award - Lagaan

2002 - Filmfare Best Background Score - The Legend of Bhagat Singh

2002 - Filmfare Best Music Director Award - Saathiya

2002 - National Film Award for Best Music Direction – Lagaan (Hindi)

2002 - Zee Cine Award Best Music Director - Lagaan

2003 - National Film Award for Best Music Direction - Kannathil Muthamittal

2004 - Filmfare Best Background Score – Swades

9 South Indian Filmfare Awards

6 Times Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

Nominated for Laurence Olivier Awards (UK)

2003 - Nominated for Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best New Musical - Bombay Dreams

Nominated for Dora Mavor Moore Awards (Canada)

2006 - Nominated for General Theatre Division - Outstanding Musical Direction - The Lord of the Rings musical

Off bit:

Rahman received the Rajat Kamal award for best music director at the Indian National Film Awards, the first time ever by a debutant (For Roza)

Rahman won the Rajat Kamal award for best music director at the Indian National Film Awards, 4 times the most ever by any composer.

Recently Rahman composed the tune for WorldSpace, with whom he is attached as a Brand Ambassador.

Andrew Lloyd Webber, a well known composer of musicals, was impressed with Rahman's unique style and therefore hired him to compose his maiden stage production Bombay Dreams (2002). This play was well received in England and opened him up to new vistas in Hollywood.

Rahman, along with the Finnish folk music band Vrttin, composed the music for The Lord of the Rings musical, which opened in Toronto on March 23 2006.

Rahman's first movie album Roja was listed in TIME magazine's TOP 10 Movie Soundtracks of all time.

According to Rediff.com, rights for his Tamil album Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000) were sold for an astonishing record sum of Rs.22 million. This record, for Tamil cinema, still remains unbeaten six years hence.

On July 16th, 2006, Rahman performed to a sell-out crowd at the 26000+ capacity natural amphitheatre, Hollywood Bowl along with noted Indian artists such as Sukhwinder Singh, Hariharan, and Sadhana Sargam, as well as American performing groups Raagapella and Global Rhythms. This was the first time that a world music performance at the Hollywood Bowl was sold-out completely.

thanks.... 😉 for it all.... 😛
😉

Profile No: 15

Javed Akhtar

Lyricist

Date of Birth: January 17, 1945

Childhood and Journey: Javed Akhtar was born in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh to Jan Nissar Akhtar, a Bollywood film songwriter and Urdu poet, and Safia Akhtar, a teacher and writer. His lineage can be traced back to seven generations of writers. The highly respected Urdu poet Majaz was his maternal uncle and the works of his grandfather, Muzter Khairabadi, are looked upon as a milestone in Urdu poetry. Akhtar had one sibling, a younger brother named Salman Akhtar. After his birth, his parents moved to Lucknow, Punjab, and later to Aligarh. Young Javed Akhtar lost his mother at a tender age and his father frequently moved back and forth between Lucknow and Bombay, so he and his brother spent most of their time with relatives. At the age of eight, he was admitted to the sixth class in a well-known school of Lucknow, the Calvin Talukadar College. In his initial years, a "fierce looking" tutor used to come to his home in evenings and tutor him and his brother. This tutor was paid Rs.15 every day. After completing his matriculation, Akhtar entered and began attending Safiya College in Bhopal where he earned a B.A. He was a keen debater in college and won the Rotary Club Prize frequently. He arrived in Bombay on October 4, 1964. In his early years living in Bombay, he managed to write the dialogue for a minor film for Rs.100. Occasionally, he used to work as an assistant. Javed used to write his scripts in Urdu, which were then written out in Hindi by his assistant. Another assistant would type out a one line summary in English. His association with Salim lasted until 1980, after which Javed moved into writing lyrics for films. Javed Akhtar's songs are rhythmic, reflective on life and very melodic and catchy.

Albums:

Sagar, 1987 (composer: Rahul Dev Burman)

1942: A Love Story, 1994 (composer: Rahul Dev Burman)

Lagaan, 2001 (composer: A. R. Rahman)

Veer-Zaara, 2004 (composer: Madan Mohan)

Dil Chahta Hai, 2001

Saath-Saath

Narsimha

Mashaal

Sailaab

Mr. India

Tezaab

Hafta bandh

Joshilay

Arjun

Roop ki rani choron ka raja

Yugandhar

Jamai Raja

Khel

Gardish

Silsila

Papa kehte hain

Border

Sapnay

Virasat

Mrityu Dand

Dastak

Sardari Begum

Saaz

Mil Gayee manzil mujhe

Diljale

Yes Boss

Darmiyan

Aur pyar ho gaya

Wajood

Kabhi na kabhi

Drohi

Jeans

Bada Din

Duplicate

Laawaris

Godmother

Baadshah

Arjun Pandit

1947 Earth

Dillagi

Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani

Refugee

Karobaar

Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai

Raja Ko Rani Se Pyaar Ho Gaya

Champion

Gang

Pyar Ki Dhun

Zubeidaa

Abhay

Moksha

Agni Varsha

Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai

Badhai Ho Badhai

Ye Kya Ho Raha Hai

Satta

Love at Times Square

Hero

Armaan

Chalte-Chalte

Kuch Na Kaho

Kal Ho Naa Ho

L.O.C. Kargil

Tehzeeb

Main Hoon Na

Lakshya

Charas

Kyun! Ho Gaya Na

Dobara

Swades

Kisna

Bose:The Forgotten Hero

Mangal Pandey: The Rising

Dil Jo Bhi Kahey

Salaam E Ishq: A Tribute To Love (2006)

Exclusion (2006)

Untitled Soham Shah Project (2007) (announced)

Love Story (2007) (announced)

Award:

Javed Akhtar has won 7 Filmfare Best Lyricist Awards for his Hindi lyrics.

He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1999.

Off bit:

In the year 2004-2005, all the nominated songs were written by him.