Shaan Vs. Sonu.

Shaan vs Sonu nigam.

While on my way back to home today, I was listening to songs from my car stereo player. One of my favourite number "Tanha Dil" was playing and I was enjoying to the beautiful voice of one of the most versatile singer of Bollywood : Shaan. I have habit of singing along with the songs and many of my friends must be well aware of that. While singing this song, at the back of my mind a thought came to my mind that Shaan even though such great singer is not getting the credit he deserves. On the other hand, sonu nigam (who is also talented singer) gets lots of praise which I dont think he deserves. Today Bollywood has many talented singers but the greatest rivalry in field of singing is between Shaan and Sonu Nigam. I undoubtly say that my favourite is Shaan and I have multiple reasons for it. Lets sort it out.

One of the first songs of Shaan that made me his fan is "Tanha Dil", my all time favourite song. While Shaan can sing songs ranging from "Chand Sifarish" of Fanaa, to "Dus Bahane" of Dus, sonu can just sing from "kabhi alvida na kehna" from KANK to "Mera rang de basanti chola" of Legend of Bhagat singh. There might be songs which reside outside the above range, but they are so few that you can count on your finger tips. Seeing through his entire career, anyone can easily make out that sonu's singing capability is limited to just romantic numbers.

When we say that one singer is better than other, the basic thing that we look for is versatility. Versatile means capable of doing variety of things competently. If we see the entire career of Shaan and Sonu, we can easily figure out that Shaan has sung songs of many different types. Songs like "Bam Bam Bole" from Taare Zameen Par, "Behti Hawa Saa Tha Wo" from 3 idiots, "wo pehli baar", "Dus bahane" from Dus, "My dil goes mmm" from Salaam Namaste, "You are my love" from partner, "Wheres the party tonight" from Kabhi Alvida Na kehan, Munnabhai MBBS, "Bhool Jaa" etc...the list is endless. On other hand, if we see the track record of sonu, "Tanhayee" from Dil Chahta Hai, "Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna" from KANK, "Saathiya" from Saathiya, and other movies where he gave voice in songs include, Kabhi Khansi (Khushi) Kabhi Dum (Gum), Paheli, Legend of Bhagat Singh, No Entry, etc. We see that with couple of exceptions the type of songs that Sonu Nigam sings is nothing but romantic or sad.

The unanimous answer to who has more Variety will be no one else but "SHAAN". Sonu might be the best in romantic songs, but hey, what about songs where we need fun, craziness, energy. Sonu's voice lacks all. People might say, sonu has sung songs like "mera rang de basanti" of legend of Bhagatsingh, but wait, if you call that as energetic song, I think you have not heard the song "pagdi sambhal jatta" or "Desh mere desh mere" of the same movie. The only songs I remember sung by Sonu nigam and which are not romantic/sad are the ones in movie "No Entry".

Lets check the history of two singers. Sonu Nigam is trained classical singer, on other hand Shaan has NO training. I repeat "NO TRAINING". Check out the song "Chand Sifarish" from Fanaa. Try to beat that with any of sonu nigam's song.

Any voice needs to have a crisp factor. If it is too smooth and sweet, it sounds too monotonous which leads to boredom. Thats what has happened with Sonu Nigam. Listen to songs sung by singers like sukhwinder singh, shaan, shankar mahadevan, sunidhi chauhan, KK, Himesh etc. These singers can sing song for any type of situation, while on other hand, sweet voiced sonu can sing only romantic/sad songs. He can sing songs for any scenario, but I wonder if any director/producer will allow him to sing for any non-romantic song.

Sonu nowadays gives his voice to Shahrukh in most of all his movies. As Shahrukh is associated to romantic and cry-baby types movies, so is sonu associated with love songs. Its really nice to see that, sonu IS NOT allowed to give voice to Shahrukh in movies like "Chak de india" and "Swades". I would not have been surprised that the songs of "Swades" would have been screwed up by Sonu if he would have been given a chance. Just take example of one of the most simple and plain song "pal pal har pal" from munnabhai. The song does not require any types of fluttering of voice, or increasing and reducing the pitch at various points, then why does Sonu have to show off that he is (supposedly) genius by changing pitch multiple times in a single sentence when the song does not require? If Shreya goshal can sing this song very plainly, why can't sonu? He is just bag full of arrogance and tries to show off that he is great.

At this point, sonu's fans might give reason that Sonu is doing what his best at. "One should do what he/she is best at". If thats the case, one should also respect all rounders. There is no point in boasting about ourselves when we are just "master of one" but are surrounded by "master of many".

Apart from this, one more reason why I hate Sonu Nigam is because he makes me wonder always that why he does not stop mimicking the Great Mohammad Rafi and if he wants to, he should know that Rafi used to sing songs like "badein miyan deewane", which I don't think sweet voiced Sonu can ever sing. Rafi was versatile singer and his range can be seen by listening to songs like "baabul ki duaayein leti jaa", "khoya khoya chand", "Ye duniya yeh mehfil" etc. Stupid fellow comes out with album containing songs of Rafi saab in his voice. Sonu nigam should first try to be himself and then mimick others. This fellow cannot sing 2 lines in "Phir Mile Sur" properly without leaving his attitude, how can he compare himself to the legends. Rafi can sing for actors from dilip kumar to Johhny walker, while sonu can just sing for Shahrukh.

Having said all this, it is for sure that I will never ever see Sonu with respect. He knows nothing but to mimick and make fun of other singers/people. If he is great, he should focus on widening his range of songs

It would not be surprising for me if all of the people who read this or comment on this note turn out to be fans of Sonu Nigam. :) You people have right to support and be fan of whom ever you want. If you ask me, you will get just one answer "SHAAN".

Closing this note with my favourite lines:

Woh to Nahi Tha teri Wafao ke Kaabil
Jaane Kya Soch kar tune de Diya apna Dil
Is Baar dil ka Sauda karna na Yun Bewajah
Bhool Jaa, Jo Hua Usey Bhool Jaa