Suresh Wadkar is a distinguished Indian playback singer renowned for his soulful voice and versatility across various musical genres. With a career spanning over five decades, he has made significant contributions to Hindi, Marathi, and several regional film industries. His collaborations with eminent composers and his dedication to classical and devotional music have cemented his status as a revered figure in Indian music.
History:
Born on August 7, 1955, in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Suresh Wadkar exhibited musical talent from a young age. He began his formal music education under the guidance of Jialal Vasant at the age of 8. By 13, he had completed the "Prabhakar" certification from the Prayag Sangit Samiti, equivalent to a B.Ed., and started teaching music at Arya Vidya Mandir in Mumbai.
His breakthrough came in 1976 when he won the Sur-Singar competition, judged by notable composers like Jaidev and Ravindra Jain. This victory led to his debut in playback singing with the song "Sona Kare Jhilmil Jhilmil Vrishti Pade Tapur Tupur" in the film Paheli (1977). He gained further recognition with "Seene Mein Jalan" from Gaman (1978).
Suresh Wadkar's career flourished in the 1980s and 1990s, with memorable songs in films like Prem Rog (1982), Sadma (1983), Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985), and Parinda (1989). His collaborations with composers such as Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Ravindra Jain, and Ilaiyaraaja, and his duets with Lata Mangeshkar, showcased his versatility and depth as a singer.
Beyond film music, Wadkar has made significant contributions to devotional music, recording numerous bhajans and spiritual songs across various Indian languages. He also established the Ajivasan Music Academy, promoting classical music education.
Brief Overview:
Full Name: Suresh Ishwar Wadkar
Born: August 7, 1955, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India
Genres: Playback singing, Classical, Devotional
Languages: Hindi, Marathi, Bhojpuri, Odia, Konkani, Tamil, Telugu
Years Active: 1976–present
Key Works: Songs in Prem Rog, Sadma, Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Parinda
Awards:
Padma Shri (2020)
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Sugam Sangeet (2018)
BFJA Award for Best Hindi Playback Singer – Male (1986)
Gansamragini Lata Mangeshkar Award (2023)
Notable Titles: “Velvet Voice of India”
