MUMBAI: Sonu Nigam has long been one of the most melodious voices in the Indian music industry, and a favourite for many music lovers. With a music career that spans over two decades, Nigam has been a popular playback voice for almost every Bollywood actor. After initially struggling to make it in Bollywood, he has emerged like a phoenix to become a mogul in the Hindi music industry.

Hence, on his 42nd birthday (30 July), we at Radioanadmusic.com decided to talk to the ones who bring his mesmerizing voice to us– The RJs. Here Indian RJs pick their favourite songs by Sonu Nigam.

RJ Pritam (Red FM):

Sonu is one of the biggest singers in Bollywood, and he has so many hits that it is difficult to pick a few out of them. But since I have to, my favourite Sonu Nigam tracks would be ‘Deewana’ from the album ‘Deewana’, and ‘Sandese Aate Hai’ from ‘Border’. In fact, I connect a lot with the second song because almost all of us used to sing it in ‘Bigg Boss’ while we were away from our homes.

RJ Salil (Radio City):

Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal are two voices that are not just beautiful on the mic, but they sound good even when they are sitting in front of you, having a conversation. These voices are simply incredible. ‘Hamko Maloom Hai’ from ‘Jaan-E-Mann’ and ‘Sapna Jahan’ from ‘Brothers’ are some of Sonu’s songs I like the most.

RJ Alok (OYE FM):

‘Meri Duniya Mein Aake’ from the film ‘Tum Bin’ is one of my favourite Sonu Nigam songs because it begins with this beautiful aalap. Another song I like is ‘Panchi Nadiya Pawan Ke Jhonke’ from ‘Refugee’. It is yet another beautiful song, but I specifically like the meaning attached to it. It clearly means that boundaries are only made for humans, not for birds, rivers or air. ‘Satrangi Re’ from ‘Dil Se’ is another beautiful song I like.

RJ Sana (Radio Mirchi):

It is difficult to pick a few songs from Sonu Nigam’s work as he is one of the best singers in India. But if I have to choose I would select ‘Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin’ from ‘Agneepath’ and ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ from the film ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’. I feel they are evergreen songs and the way he has sung them, technically, is not an easy task. In fact, the ones who admire the technicalities of a song would also love the title track of ‘Kill Dil’ and ‘Soona Soona’ from his album ‘Classically Mild’.

RJ Sid (BIG FM):

‘Bhagwan Hai Kahan Re Tu’ from ‘PK’ is one of my favourites by Sonu, because it is soulful, intense and meaningful. It also shows the pain of the common man looking for hope. We are common people.

My next favourite is full of energy and with youthful exuberance from the film ‘Pardes’. ‘Diwana Dil’ talks about how passionate a young heart is. It does not give up at any cost no matter how many times it is broken.

RJ Devangana (FM TADKA):

I like peppy numbers so ‘Bijuriya’ is one of my favourite. Apart from that I am extremely fond of the evergreen, romantic number ‘Suraj Hua Madham’ from ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’.