Bihar’s contribution to Bollywood music industry

To begin with, Bihar as land has a rich history of power and culture. Magadh (the present-day Bihar) gave rise to its empires of Maurya and Gupta dynasties, which simultaneously ushered in Buddhism. With respect to the musical scenario, Bihar has successfully produced musicians like Ustad Bismillah Khan (a Bharat Ratna Awardee), dhrupad singers like the Malliks (Darbhanga Gharana) and the Mishras (Bettiah Gharana), including the poet Vidyapati Thakur, who massively contributed to Maithili music. The classical music of Bihar is a form of Hindustani classical music.

Since Bihar has produced some Stalwarts in the musical field within the region and is still brimming with musicians and singers contributing to the region, there are some sets of artists, who have moved further to make their name in the central level and garner prominence in the Bollywood industry. Out of the fewer names, the one big name who made a massive contribution and stands in the forefront is none other than Daler Mehndi.

Daler Mehndi (born as Daler Singh) is a renowned Indian singer, songwriter, author, and record producer. More prominent as a singer, he has made a huge contribution to the Hindi music industry. Bhangra, the most prominent dance form in the Indian region, also took to the international stage and audience because of Mehndi, who massively popularised it through his songs. He has not only solely given his voice for the Bollywood songs but has equally worked in Indian pop music and several albums, which also received its share of popularity. He is well renowned for his dance songs, voice, turban, and long, flowing robes. His songs are such, especially the Bhangra ones, which automatically trigger the dancer in every person, and bring out the groovy mood among the audience. Mehndi is credited for creating a genre called "Rabbabi", a combination of Thumri, Sufi, and rock, and for creating an instrument called "SwarMandir" that combines influences from the Rabab, Swarmandal, and Tanpura. There are several Bollywood songs credited to him, whose resonance has not faded and people continue to dance and enjoy these songs. Some of his renowned songs include Bolo Ta Ra Ra.., TunakTunak Tun, DardiRabRab, Na NaNaNaNa Re, Rang De Basanti, Dangal – Title song, Baahubali 2: The Conclusion- Jiyo Re Bahubali etc.

Another singer from the region is Aishwarya Nigam. He rose to prominence from his participation in singing reality shows. He started from Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Ek Main AurEk Tu, Zee Tv, of which he was a winner. He went on to participate in Jo JeetaWohi Superstar, as a contestant. Aishwarya has also sung title songs for some daily soaps. In Bollywood, he has gained recognition from songs such as MunniBadnami, the famous item number, Maara re sixer maara re four, Teremohallemein, etc. He has also been awarded with the title “Male vocalist of the year” in Mirchi Music Awards for the song MunniBadnaam from Dabangg.

Swati Sharma, another singer from the region, is best known for her popular song Banno Tera Swagger from the Bollywood movie Tanu Weds Manu: Returns, directed by Anand L. Rai. She has been notable for producing music that has been used in Bollywood. In the year 2017, she became the first Indian singer to perform at the Eiffel Tower (Paris). Some of her other contributions to Bollywood, include songs like NimboosaIshq, TooteTarey, Rail Gaddi, Din Mein KarengeJagrata etc.

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