Alka Yagnik is an accomplished playback singer in Hindi film industry. She began her career in 1980s and from then on has never looked back. Her mellifluous voice has won the hearts of millions of people. Teaming up with Kumar Sanu, Yagnik sang some of the memorable duets. She also teamed up with Udit Narayan, Abhijeet and Sonu Nigam. She has lend her voice to known actresses, like, Madhuri Dixit, Sridevi, Juhi Chawla, Kajol, Raveena Tandon, Aishwarya Rai, Rani Mukherjee, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor and many more. Almost all the heroines belonging to the 20th century wanted Alka Yagnik as their playback singer. Although she began her career as a child singer but it was `Ek do teen` from Tezaab (starring Madhuri) that made Yagnik a household name.

Early Life of Alka Yagnik
Alka Yagnik was born on 20th March 1966 in Kolkata. Her parents were both enriched in classical music. At the tender age of six she started singing in public- she had started her career by singing Bhajans for Calcutta Radio. Her mother Shubha Yagnik was a Classical singer as well. When she was just ten, Alka moved with her mother to Mumbai to try her luck as a child singer in films. She was introduced to Raj Kapoor. Impressed with her voice Kapoor referred her to the celebrated music director Laxmikant. Laxmikant was so moved by her voice that he gave her two alternatives to choose from- `an immediate start as a dubbing artist, or a break later as a full - fledged singer`. Yagnik settled for the second option.

Career of Alka Yagnik
Her big break was in the movie Payal Ki Jhankaar released in 1979. Later she sang the song Mere Angene Mein, from the film Laawaris (1981) and Hamari Bahu Alka (1982). With the song Ek Do Teen from the film Tezaab, released in 1988, she got her first big break. The song became a hit and she became a star overnight.

Popular Songs of Alka Yagnik

Songs	Films	Songs	Films
Ek Do Teen Char`	Tezaab	Raja Ko Rani Se’	Akele Hum Akele Tum
Akela Hain To Kya Ghum Hai, Kahe Sataaye Kah, Aye Mere Humsafar	Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak	Mera Mann	Mann
Tumse Milne ko dil Karta Hai, Dheere Dhere Pyar Ko Badhna	Phool Aur Kaante	Dil Ne Yeh Kaha hain	Dhadkan
Mauka Milega To Hum Pyar, Jeeta Tha Jiske Liye, Jeeta Hoon Jiske Liye, Saaton Janam Mein Ter	Dilwale	Kaho Naa Pyar Hai	Kaho Naa PyarHai
Dekha Hai Pehli Baar; Tu shayar hain; Bahut Pyaar Karte; Mera Dil Bhi	Saajan	Churake Dil Mera	Main Khiladi Tu Anari
Choli Ke Peeche`	Khalnayak	Taal Se Taal Mila	Taal
Dhak Dhak Karne Laga	Beta	Mere Humsafar, Aisa Lagta Hain, Panchi Nadia,	Refugee
Ankhiyaan Milaoon`	Raja	Chand Chupa	Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
Mere Angne Mein`	Laawaris	Tumhi Dekho Na; Title song	Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Baazigar`	Baazigar	Saawariya Saawariya	Swadesh
Ghoonghat Ki Aadh; Kash Koi Ladka, Yuhi Kat Jayega Safar, Bombay Se Poona	Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke	Kuch To Hua Hai	Kal Ho Na Ho
Mere Mehboob	Duplicate	Tauba	Chalte Chalte
Tum Paas Aaye`; Ladki Badi Anjani Hai	Kuch Kuch Hota Hai	Sanson ko Sanson; Ladki Kyun; Ye Gore gore	Hum Tum
Aati Kya Khandala`	Ghulam	O re chore, Mitwa,	Lagaan
Jaati Hoon Main`	Karan Arjun	Jaane Kyun	Dil Chahta Hain
Pardesi Pardesi	Raja Hindustani	-	-

Some famous songs sung by Alka Yagnik are-

Besides these alka Yagnik has sang numerous songs that have topped the charts over the years.

Awards for Alka Yagnik
Alka Yagnik has received numerous awards and nominations in her singing career, in addition to the awards listed below. She received the Filmfare award for Best Female Playback for three consecutive years from 2000-2002.

National Film Awards
1994 - Silver Lotus Award for "Ghoongat Ki Aad Se" for the film Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke
1999 - Silver Lotus Award for "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" for the film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

Filmfare Awards
1989 - for "Ek Do Teen" for the film Tezaab
1994 - for "Choli Ke Peeche" for the film Khalnayak (shared with Ila Arun)
1998 - for "Zara Tasweer Se Tu" for the film Pardes
2000 - for "Taal Se Taal" for the film Taal
2001 - for "Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Hai Dil Se" for the film Dhadkan
2002 - for "O Re Chhori" for the film Lagaan
2005 - for "Hum Tum" for the film Hum Tum

Global Indian Film Awards
2007 - for "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

Zee Cine Awards
1999 - for "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" - Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
2001 - for "Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai" - Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai
2007 - for "Tumhi Dekho Naa" - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

Star Screen Awards
1995 - for "Dil Ne Dil Se" from Haqeeqat
2001 - for "Panchi Nadiyan" from Refugee

International Indian Film Academy
2000 - Artistic Excellence Female Playback Singer Award for "Taal Se Taal Mila" - Taal
2001 - Popular award for "Kaho Naa Pyar Hai" - Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai

MTV Awards
2001 - MTV Asia Viewers Choice Award for "Jaane Kyon"- Dil Chahta Hai