For over four decades, Udit Narayan’s melodies have moved moviegoers from every corner of India, blending joy, romance, and nostalgia in a way few artists ever manage.

It’s easy now - singing happy birthday to Udit Narayan, reminiscing the way his voice made DDLJ a rite of passage (who hasn’t lip-synced Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna at a North Indian wedding?). But dial it back a bit. This was a guy from Bhardaha, Nepal, whose dad was a farmer-cum-Indian Railways staffer, and whose earliest “stage” was the local temple in Bihar. The move to Bombay by train - with a very limited amount of money - wasn’t a sure-shot. It was more of a gamble than a plan.

He sang in Maithili, Nepali, and Hindi for radio. Eventually, Rajesh Roshan’s break with “Unees Bees” (1980) followed by “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak” (1988) yanked him out of chorus and into the main melody. Papa Kehte Hain blasted out of every Maruti gypsy until walkmans broke down. Not a bad kickoff, right?

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90s: Chartbusters and Chutzpah

The 90s? Udit ruled that era. Romantic, peppy, sometimes weepy - he wore every song like a hand-knitted pullover. After QSQT, it was almost a blur. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) gifted us with two evergreen and favourite melodies:  Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna and Tujhe Dekha To. Then he gave us Mitwa from Lagaan (2001); Bairi Piya from Devdas (2002).

Udit Narayan sings Bairi Piya with Shreya Ghoshal at Indian Idol

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But not just those blockbusters. There’s Pehla Nasha (Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar), the school-days anthem; Tip Tip Barsa Paani from Mohra. Or Kuch Kuch Hota Hain (Title Track), Jaadu Teri Nazar, Ae Mere Humsafar, Ruk Ja O Dil Deewane, Humko Humise Chura Lo, Aankhein Khuli, Chand Chhupa Badal Mein, Main Yahan Hoon (Veer-Zaara), and that’s skimming the playlist.

The magical voice behind ‘Jadu Teri Nazar’ from Darr

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Collaborations, Accolades & The ‘Classic’ Tag

Udit didn’t go solo - he made duets legendary: Alka Yagnik, Kavita Krishnamurthy, even Sonu Nigam, and, most memorably, the Lata Mangeshkar songs that crossed generations. In the age of autotune and singles, it’s easy to forget his biggest flex: consistency. Four National Awards, five Filmfares for Best Male Playback, and dozens more.

Our all-time favourite ‘Ho Gaya Hain Tujhko’ was voiced by Udit Narayan and Lata Mangeshkar

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He worked with every music giant: Anand-Milind, Jatin-Lalit, Nadeem-Shravan, A.R. Rahman, Ismail Darbar. Always that unique, high-note smile in his voice. Even as musical tastes changed post-2010, Udit’s old hits found their way into remixes and nostalgia walls across clubs and weddings.

Udit Ji voiced this amazing song ‘Ae Ajnabi’ from Dil Se

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Still Relevant - A Voice That Won’t Fade

Funny thing: Narayan never tried to reinvent for trends. He recorded in over 30 languages, did reality TV judging (Indian Idol), and scored hits well into his 60s (case in point: “Swag Se Swagat” in Tiger Zinda Hai, 2017). Millennials may mock cheesy orchestration, but hand them a dhol at any sangeet - they’ll want Udit’s magic.

Turning 70, he’s not just a nostalgia trip; he’s a living playlist that spans generations. Wishing a very Happy Birthday to you, Udit ji!