Two of India’s greatest playback singers honoured at Parliament

The Indo-British All Party Parliamentary Group consists of cross-party members of both the House of Commons and House of Lords who work to promote understanding and co-operation between the people and parliamentarians of India and Britain and strengthening of UK-India relationship.

Virendra Sharma MP, Chair of the Indo-British All Party Parliamentary Group hosted the event inside Parliament to celebrate the musical achievements of Kumar Sanu and Anuradha Paudwal and recognise their humanitarian work.

Kumar Sanu receiving an award from Virendra Sharma MP and Tan Dhesi MP

Virendra Sharma MP opened the facilitation event by welcoming both artists to the UK Parliament and said: “Kumar Sanu and Anuradha Paudwal are best known and popular for rendering their voice in Bollywood movies of the 1990s and 2000s and are considered the leading playback singers in the Indian Film Industry. 

"Today, we are proud to be able to celebrate their historic contributions to the Indian music industry and these awards establish them among the highest class of performers”. 

Sanjay Jagatia added, "Both of the artists will be performing to packed audiences during their UK tour of Leicester, London and Birmingham, and we are so 
privileged that we have been given a tremendous opportunity to have an intimate gathering here at the UK Houses of Parliament where we can listen to the life story of both these wonderful musical artists".

Ray Khan said: “Both Kumar Sanu and Anuradha Paudwal got their major break when Gulshan Kumar together with music directors Nadeem and Shravan gave him an opportunity to sing most of the songs in the movie Aashiqui in 1990, these songs were recorded earlier for an album and later the movie was made around the songs. 

"The movie as well as the songs was a grand success. This kicked started the amazing partnership of both playback singers. 

"Thereafter, they worked together in many films, including  Saajan (1991), Phool Aur Kaante (1991), Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin (1991), Sadak (1991), Deewana (1992), Dil Ka Kya Kasoor (1992), Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), Sainik (1993) and Sapne Sajan Ke (1993) to name a few. Anuradha Paudwal says that her interest in music was triggered off by a Lata Mangeshkar song that she had heard on the radio and Kumar Sanu was inspired by many past music legends including Kishore Kumar”. 

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP said: “it is an absolute pleasure to be here amongst two of the greatest Indian musical singers. Anuradha Paudwal and Kumar Sanu are groundbreaking artistes whose playback singing has successfully blazed the trail for a new generation of Bollywood Actors and Actresses. 

"Both have been fearless in their careers, following their own path and pushing the boundaries of Indian music and have sang songs that have proven to be timeless. Both are revered in the music industry and we are honoured to present these awards to them.”

Gareth Thomas MP praised Kumar Sanu and Anuradha Paudwal for being "not just music icons, but also individuals who have done so much life changing, humanitarian and charitable work in supporting the underprivileged in India. I hope that their success will encourage more Asian people to take up music. I congratulate both of them on receiving these awards”.

Leading UK Singer Navin Kundra who attended the facilitation event said: "Both are role models for every aspiring singer and heroes to millions of people worldwide. I became involved in singing Indian music as a 
direct result of the songs that Kumar Sanu and Anuradha Paudwal sang together in the 1990’s.

"They have both been an inspiration to me and played an enormous part in my own musical journey. I hope one day I can achieve even a little of what they have achieved for the Indian music industry.   

Speaking about his charitable work Kumar Sanu said: “It should be the social responsibility of every celebrity to give something back to society. I was brought up as a young boy in severe poverty and know first hand what it is like to have no food, education and basic amenities. 

"That is why I set up the ‘Kumar Sanu Vidya Niketan’, which is a Charitable Trust for Underprivileged Children and People; it is an organisation which provides a sensitive and caring environment to street and working children in Delhi and Calcutta and hopefully very soon in other provinces across India. 

"We help nurture their dreams and make them realise that their fate can be crafted by their own heart, their own hands and a firm resolve”. Kumar Sanu continued by saying: “Every child has the right to education. I think only education can bring about a change in the mindset of people and uplift the underprivileged”. In addition, his organisation also works to provide charitable activities for the Welfare of the Underprivileged, Blood Donation Camps and Relief for Victims affected by Disasters and Calamities.

Anuradha Paudwal said: “my charitable activities include extending financial support to the families of martyred soldiers through the Suryodaya Foundation, which I am, part of. In addition, I support underprivileged and poor individuals who need life saving medical operations.  

"This is a small step from our side but we want to extend our support, in whatever way we can. People who have achieved something in life are now realising that we need to do something. Celebrities should come forward for causes like these and the good thing is they do. 

"Times are changing. We all must contribute something back to help others”. Anuradha Paudwal is also involved in other social issues, including in Maharashtra's Nandurbar district where she works to solve issues of electricity and malnutrition."