Mohammed Sikandar Alam was born on 27th July 1939 at Routrapur of
Baialishi Mouza in Katak district, a popular Odia singer. He was a
singer par excellence and a pious soul. His entire family has dedicated
their lives to music and art. For them this is 'Sadhana' and if God has
been kind enough to bestow such talent, they have to carry it forward
and remain devoted to the supreme. Sikandar Alam is known for singing
'bhajans' and romantic songs that are always decent and heart warming.
Life & Career
Sikandar Alam |
Son
of an IPS officer, Sikandar was born and brought up at Katak - the
cultural capital of Odisha and was trained in music by veterans like K.
Adinarayana. He commenced his career in music with All India Radio in
1957 and seven years later had his debut in Odia cinema Laxmi under
direction of legendary singer-composer Balakrushna Dash. He lent his
voice for 50 films, most of which are considered as classics, and
composed music for two films during his career.
He
started performing for AIR at the age of 18, and a versatile supremely
talented singer, who could manage to sing romantic songs with equal
intensity as bhajans. He was also credited as the first Odia singer to
be heard on BBC London (Just before Rangabati became the most heard song
on BBC London).
He is known as the Salabeg (the
greatest Muslim Devotee of Lord Jagannath) of the modern days because,
Salabeg's lyrics on lord Jagannath has never been sung better other than
Sikandar Alam. With more than 50 Odia films, countless private album
songs including Jagannath bhajans and Hindi ghajals, Md. Sikandar Alam
was a legend of Odia music industry. Recipient of many awards and
honours, Alam churned out all time hits in films like Lakshmi (1962), Amada Bata (1964), Adina Megha (1970), Manika Jodi (1964), Mamata (1975), Suryamukhi (1963) etc.
Although
he served the State Agriculture department as a field officer, he was a
professional singer who dabbled and excelled in film and non-film
genres of music. BBC and HMV had recorded his songs.
Sikandar
Alam passed away on 08 August 2010. He was 71 and is survived by his
wife Naima Alam (singer), daughters Sophia Alam (actress) and Nazia Alam
(singer).
Awards
Recipient
of the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Odisha State Film Award,
he also headed several prestigious cultural bodies like the Sangeet
Sudhakar Balakrushna Dash Foundation and Sargam Symphony, an institution
for music that he founded.
Flimography
Singer
- Asa Asa Sathi Asa [Sagar (1989)]
- Tume Mora Prabhu [Sagar (1989)]
- Sathi Bhala Nuhen [Sagar (1989)]
- Shiba Hey Shiba [Kasturi (1988)]
- Aare Kala Malli Dine Bhangijiba [Chha Mana Atha Guntha (1986)]
- Shyamali Sunija Shyamali [Palataka (1985)]
- Bhaina ! Tikina ! Bhaina Tike Suna Na [Jwain Pua (1983)]
- Sun Sunare Bhai Laxmana Kumara [Jwain Pua (1983)]
- Emitibi Nadi Achi Jie Kebe Sagarare [Pooja (1981)]
- E Lakhi Jae Dekhi Sei Nila Kaeen Aakhi [Batasi Jhada (1981)]
- Sangini Aa Rangini Tu Gumana Karana [Batasi Jhada (1981)]
- Andha Kari Mote Karilu Re Dhanya [Bilwa Mangala (1981)]
- Mun Hajichi Tumari Sapane [Suna Sansara (1978)]
- Atmiya Swajan Bandhu Kehi Nunhe [Kula Chandrama (1978)]
- Milimisi Thile Sara Paribare Saraga Seneha [Paribar (1978)]
- E Mora Manasi Aasa Prema [Punarmilan (1977)]
- Aa Re Mita Aa Sangata [Mamata (1975)]
- He Mora Babu He [Mamata (1975)]
- Mun Ta Manisha Marini [Mamata (1975)]
- Boita Bandana [Kanakalata (1974)]
- Bada Deule Bada Dian [Kanakalata (1974)]
- Mangale Aile Usha [Kanakalata (1974)]
- Saathire Ei Baula [Mana Akasha (1974)]
- E Bana Jharana Nachi Nachi Jaa Na [Mana Akasha (1974)]
- Aa Mayabini Mana Jochhana [Ghara Bahuda (1973)]
- Sapanara Pathe Pathe [Dharitri (1973)]
- Alapa Hasare Aneka Aasharan [Adina Megha (1970)]
- Na Na Na Re Mana [Bandhan (1969)]
- E Ranga Rahiba Nahin [Malajanha (1965)]
- Dele Dhara Katha Sare Thae Maja Bahu Dure [Amada Bata (1964)]
- Sei Nila Pari Deshe Janhi Chandarama Hase [Suryamukhi (1963)]
Listen more songs of Sikandar Alam
Reference