Alka Yagnik is an accomplished leading playback singer of Bollywood. Since the year 1980, this classically trained talent has been ruling over the realm of Bollywood music. 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 herself was a singer of Indian classical music and she was determined to see her daughter emerge a victorious singer. When she was just ten, Alka moved with her mother to Mumbai to try her luck as a child singer in films. All of a sudden, she was introduced to the noted film producer, director and actor Raj Kapoor. He was very much impressed with her voice and referred her to 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.

After she shifted to Mumbai, Alka got her big break in the movie Payal Ki Jhankaar which was released in the year 1979. Afterwards 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 proclaimed hit and she became a star overnight. For the song Alka Yagnik was conferred her first Filmfare Best Female Playback Award.

Some famous songs sung by Alka Yagnik are- from the film Umrao Jaan (2006) - Salaam, Pooch Rahe Hain; Babul (2006) - Gaa Re Mann; Shaadi Se Pehle (2006) - Bijuriya, bijuriya (remix), Sache Ashiq; Jai Santoshi Maa (2006) - Maa Santoshi Maa; Dil Apna Punjabi (2006) - Sohniye Ft. Harbhajan Mann; Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Tumhi Dekho Na; Barsaat (2005) - Yeh Jo Dil Hai, Barsaat Ke Din Aaye, Maine Tumse Pyar Bahut Kiya, Aaja Aaja Piya Ab To Aaja; Lucky: No Time for Love (2005) - Chori Chori; Swades (2004) - Saanwariya Saanwariya; Hum Tum (2004) - Hum Tum; Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) - Laal Dupatta; Andaaz (2003) - Kisise Tum Pyaar Karo; Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) - Kuch To Hua Hai; Tere Naam (2003) - Oodhni; Chori Chori (2003) - Aata Aata; Chalte Chalte (2003) - Tauba; Dil Ka Rishta (2003) - Dil Churale O Chand, Saajan Saajan Saajan, Haaye Dil Mera Dil, Dilka Rishta Bada Pyara; Shakti (2002) - Ishq Kamina; Raaz (2002) - Aapke Pyaar Mein, Kya Tumhe Yaad Hai; Dil Hai Tumhara (2002) - Dil Laga Liya Maine, Dil Hai Tumhara, Kasam Khake Kaho, Mohabbat Dil Ka Sukoon Hai, Chaahe Zuban; Mujhse Dosti Karoge! (2002) - Jaane Dil Se; Kasoor (2001) - Kitni Bechain Hoke; Dil Chahta Hai (2001) - Jaane Kyon; Lajja (2001) - Badi Mushkil; Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000) Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge, Mujshe Shaadi Karogii, Tera Pallu; Dhadkan (2000) - Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Dil Se; Zubeidaa (2000) - Mehndi Hai Rachnewali, Hai Na; Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000) - Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai; Sarfarosh (1999) - Jo Haal Dil Ka. Is Deewane Ladke Ko; Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) - Chand Chupa; Taal (1999) - Taal Se; Sirf Tum (1999) - Paehli Pehli Bar, Dilbar Dilbar; Zakhm (1998) - Gali Mein; Soldier (1998) - Soldier Soldier, Mehfil Mein Baar Baar; China Gate (1998) - Chamma Chamma; Duplicate (1998) - Mere Mehboob Mera Sanam; Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) - Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Ladki Badi Anjani Hai, Koi Mil Gaya, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (sad version), Yeh Ladki Hai Diwani, Saajan Ji Ghar Aaye, Tujhe Yaad Na Mere Aaye; Ghulam (1998) - Aati Kya Khandala; Gupt (1997) - Mushkil Bada Yeh Pyaar Hain; Khamoshi: The Musical (1996) - Bahon Ke Darmiyan; Jeet (1996) - Yaara O Yaara Milna, Saason Ka Chalna, Tu Dharti Pe Jitna Bhi; Raja Hindustani (1996) - Pardesi Pardesi; Raja (1995) - Aakhiyan Milau Kabhi Aakhiyan Churao, Nazre Mile Dil Dhadka; Karan Arjun (1995) - Jaati Hoon Main, Yeh Bandhan To Pyar ka Bandhan Hai; Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995) - Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya; Naajayaz (1995) - Kya Tum Mujshe Pyar Karte Ho, Tujhe Pyaar Karte Karte; Coolie No. 1 (1995) - Mein To Raste; Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994) - Churake Dil Mera; Criminal (1994) - Tu Mile Dil Khile; Mohra (1994) - Tip Tip Barsa Paani; Dilwale (1994) - Mauka Milega To Hum Pyar, Jeeta Tha Jiske Liye, Jeeta Hoon Jiske Liye, Saaton Janam Mein Tere; Baazigar (1993) - Baazigar O Baazigar; Darr (1993) - Ang Se Ang Lagana; Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aaye (1993) - Sairana Si Hai, Dil Deta Hai Ro Ro; Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993) - Ghunghat Ki Aad se, Kash Koi Ladka, Yuhi Kat Jayega Safar, Bombay Se Poonha; Khiladi (1992) - Waada Raha Sanam; Bekhudi (1992) - Jab Na Maana Dil Deewana; Saajan (1991) - Dekha Hai Pehli Baar; Phool Aur Kaante (1991) - Tumse Milne ko Dil Karta Hai, Dheere Dhere Pyar Ko Badhna; Sapne Saajan Ke (1992) - Kehta Hai Mausam, Kabhi Bhula Kabhi Yaad Kiya, Aara Hai Mazza; Afsana Pyar Ka (1991) - Yaad Teri Aati Hai; Tridev (1989) - Gali Gali Mein; Bhrashtachar (1989) - Mere Seene Se Lagja; Mujrim (1989) - Raat Ke Bara Baje; Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) - Akela Hain To Kya Ghum Hai, Kahe Sataaye Kah, Ey Mere Humsafar; Yudh (1985) - Yudh Kar, Doston Tum Sab Ko; Love Marriage (1984) - Beeswin Sadi Ke; Coolie (1983) - Mujhe Pine Ka Shock Nahin; Nastik (1982) - Sagre Jagat Ka Ek Rakhwala; Kaamchor (1982) - Tum Se Badhkar Duniya Mein; Jeevan Dhaara (1982) - Jaldise Aana; Lawaaris (1981) - Mere Angane Mein Tumhara.

Acknowledging her talent, Alka Yagnik was conferred many awards like- Best Female Playback for Ek Do Teen for the film Tezaab in the year 1988; Best Female Playback for Choli Ke Peeche for the film Khalnayak (shared with Ila Arun) in the year 1993; Best Female Playback for Zara Tasveer Se Tu for the film Pardes in the year 1997; Best Female Playback for Taal Se Taal for the film Taal in the year 1999; Best Female Playback for Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Dil Se for the film Dhadkan in the year 1999; Best Female Playback for O Re Chhori for the film Lagaan in the year 2001; Best Female Playback for Hum Tum for the film Hum Tum in the year 2004.

National Film Awards in the year 1994- Best Female Playback for Ghoongat Ki Aad Se for the film Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke; Best Female Playback for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai for the film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in the year 1999; Zee Cine Awards in the year 1999 - Kuch Kuch Hota Hai - Kuch Kuch Hota Hai; in the year 2001 - Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai - Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai; in the year 2007 - Tumhi Dekho Naa - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna; Star Screen Awards in 1995 Haqeeqat - Dil Ne Dil Se; International Indian Film Academy in 2000 `Refugee` - Paanchi Nadiyaan; in the year 2005 Kyonki - Kyon Ki (Female); in the year 2000 Taal - Taal Se Taal Mila; in 2001 Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai - Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai; in 2005 Kyon Ki Kyon k i Itna(Female) (Nominated); in the year 2006 Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (Tum Hi Dekhona)(Nominated).