Known as ‘Garh Ratan” and “Dylan of the Hills,” Narendra Singh Negi is an Indian folk singer, composer, and poet from the hill state of Uttarakhand. He is known for his unique style of folk singing in Uttarakhand. Narendra Negi’s songs, in fact, are believed to represent the social, cultural, and economic fabric of Uttarakhand.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Narendra Singh Negi was born on Friday, 12 August 1949 (age 71 years; as of 2021) in Pauri, Uttar Pradesh, India (Now Uttarakhand, India). [1]euttarakhand His zodiac sign is Leo. When he was a child, his passion for music allured him to visit various musical events of the traditional folk singers of Uttarakhand. Mr. Negi completed his graduation from Rampur in Uttarakhand and honored with the Doctorate degree in Literature in 2018. [2]News Post
Negi while receiving the degree of Doctor of Literature in 2018
Physical Appearance
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents
Mr. Negi’s father was a Naib Subedar in the Indian Army, and his mother was a homemaker.
Wife & Children
Mr. Negi’s wife’s name is Usha Negi. He has two children, a son Kavilas, and a daughter Ritu. The name of his daughter-in-law is Anjali, and he has a granddaughter named Chubki.
Narendra Singh Negi with wife, Usha Negi, granddaughter Chubki, and daughter-in-law Anjali
Career
Casual Artist
Narendra Singh Negi was inspired to write songs by his mother, and he wrote and composed his first song in 1974. Negi wrote his first song at Lehmann Hospital in Herbertpur, Uttrakhand when he went there for the eye operation of his father. The lyrics of the song were-
शेरा बस जाओ मोहन उमा रूडी कोटड़ा मां’”
Keshav Sharma, the then program executive at Akashvani, motivated Narendra Singh Negi to sing at Akashvani programs. In 1976, Narendra Singh Negi started singing as a casual artist that provided him the opportunity to start his singing career.
Narendra Singh Negi while singing
Albums
Kumaoni, Garwali, and Jaunsari are some local regional languages in which Negi has sung most of his songs. His first music release was ‘Garhwali Geetmala,’ and his first music album was ‘Burans.’ Negi has sung many influential songs in his career including ‘Nauchami Narayana’ that was released in 2007; this song was written by Negi to ridicule the work done by the then ruling Congress party in Uttarakhand, and consequently, the song became one of the factors behind the fall of the Congress government in the state. Similarly, his song ‘Ab Kathaga Khailo,’ which was released in 2012, shook the roots of the then BJP government in Uttarakhand, and it became one of the factors to topple down the BJP government in the state. While recovering from a major heart attack, Narendra Singh Negi wrote the poem ‘Jyura ka haath batin’ in 2017, and he expressed his gratitude towards his fans through this poem who prayed for his magical recovery.
Narendra Singh Negi when discharged from hospital after the recovery from a heart attack in 2017
Through his song ‘वीर भडु कु देश, बावन गढ़ों कु देश..’, he talks about the 52 Gharhs (bastions) in Uttarakhand, India. During Negi’s stay in Uttarkashi, he released two music albums in favor of the Uttarakhand statehood movement that was prevalent in the state at that time. An extensive range of songs has been written by Mr. Negi that includes love songs, marriage songs, lullabies, and songs related to environmental pollution and history. He has also focussed on the songs that narrate the story and status of local women in Uttarakhand. Most of the songs that are sung by Mr. Negi are related to the poor conditions of the local people in Uttarakhand including the young migrant laborers who leave their native villages in search of employment.
Film Songs
‘Meri Ganga Holi Ta Maima Aaliare,’ Chakrachal,’ and ‘Gharjawai,’ are some movies in which Negi has given his voice.
YouTube Channel
Negi’s song ‘Hori Aygee’ was used in a Garhwali film Batwaru in 1992. He also used this song for his YouTube channel that he launched in 2018. The song ‘Hori Aygee’ was a big hit; however, the film fell flat.
Award
In 2019, Narendra Singh Negi was bestowed with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award by the government of India for his contribution to the field of folk music in India.
Controversies
- In 2005, Narendra Singh Negi composed a sarcastic song against the then N D Tiwari government of the Indian National Congress, and in 2011, he released a song that criticized the then Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank government of Bharatiya Janata Party; these songs listed him in the bad books of both the parties. [3]The Times of India
- Mr. Negi filed a complaint at a police station in Pauri against a 17-year-old boy who demanded Rs. 20000 from Negi in 2021. The boy was a student of class 12th and was released after Negi wrote a letter to the SSP, following an apology from the young boy. [4]Sankhnaad
- In 2012, Mr. Negi and his songs were indirectly criticized by a song sung by a budding and amateur singer of Uttarakhand, Gajender Rana. He said-
Mr. Negi is jealous of my success. The lyrics of the song are true. All youngsters are with me. Narendra Singh Negi has written songs against my songs. He copied my song ‘Leela Gasyaari’. He conspired to vanish my career. My song is not a publicity stunt. Many people are happy with my song. Feel my pain too. My song is not against Mr. Negi. Everyone should be given recognition. Narendra Singh Negi has also written songs against politicians. He has a problem with everyone. It is not only my views, but the singers like me are also promoting this song.” [5]Gullak
Facts/Trivia
- Negi studied in a girls’ school from first to the fourth standard. Later, at a young age, the principal of that school asked Negi’s father to shift him to another school. [6] Uttar Ka Puttar
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According to Negi, while he was studying in school and college, he never sang any song.
- Ajit Singh Negi, Narendra Singh’s cousin, taught him tabla.
- According to Negi, he started taking an interest in singing while he was working as a government official in Uttarakhand.
- When Negi was a child, he aspired to join the Indian Army; however, he couldn’t be inducted into it.
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Reportedly, more than 1000 songs have been sung by Narendra Singh Negi. [7]News Uttarakhand
- In an interview, Narendra Singh Negi revealed that he loved perfection in his songs, and he released only one cassette in a year.
- A video song was released by Negi before the assembly elections of Uttarakhand in 2011 that highlighted the prevalent corruption in Uttarakhand.
- Jubin Nautiyal, the renowned Bollywood singer, along with Tulsi Kumar remade Negi’s song “Ta Chuma.”
- Once on a tour with a government official, Negi went to a political rally at a remote village in Uttarakhand. The audience, instead of listening to the political speech of the leader, rushed towards Mr. Negi and asked him for the autograph and photographs. Later on, somehow, he managed to request the crowd to get back to their respective places.
Narendra Singh Negi with local people during a political speech in a village in Uttarakhand
- Once, the DM of Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand warned Negi to abstain from writing anti-government songs, when, during a Republic Day program in Uttarkashi, a faction of the public, that had gathered there, started singing the songs of Negi.
- Negi admits that sixty is the perfect age to write romantic songs. He said,
To write the perfect love songs, age 60 is the best time as at this age, you can easily observe the mind of the youngsters.”
- A liquor bottling plant in Tehri Garhwal got the support of Narendra Singh Negi in 2019. In an interview, while talking about this, he said,
I am not supporting alcohol but when people are consuming alcohol on daily basis, then there is no harm if a liquor factory operates in the area. The factory will provide jobs and people will not migrate in search of work. In fact the liquor also get cheaper if manufactured here. People consume over-priced non-country made liquor. people might differ but its my personal opinion.”
- In 2020, Mr. Negi supported the ‘Himalaya Bachao, Polythene Hatao’ mission along with Deputy Commandant Harinder Singh Belwal, who initiated this mission on the 52nd establishment day of SSB in Uttarakhand, India. Negi made the public statement-
Himalayas are not only our crown but it is the base of our lives. That is why it is our responsibility to protect our environment.”
- Narendra Singh Negi followed the campaign ‘Saving culture is society’s duty’ started by the Uttarkhand government on environmental issues in 2020. He said during the campaign-
The new generation does not have much idea about language and culture.”
- Negi is a huge fan of Gulzar (an Indian lyricist).
- Narendra Singh Negi has performed not only in India but also globally. He has fascinated the audiences of the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Muscat, Oman, Bahrain, U.A.E, etc.
References
