Narendra Singh Negi (born 12 August 1949), also referred as 'Garh Ratna'. he is one of the most prominent folk singer, composer and a poet of the Garhwal and Uttarakhand who prominently sings in Garhwali language. Reportedly, he has sung more than 1000 songs. His unparalleled work in the field of folk music of Uttarakhand is an inspiration for all the upcoming singers of Uttarakhand.
Background Negi ji was born in Pauri town in Pauri Garhwal District (Uttarakhand) where he also completed his schooling. He is married to Usha Negi. His father was a Naib Subedar in the Indian army. For graduation he moved to Rampur with his cousin Ajit Singh Negi who taught him Tabla. From his childhood he was fond of listening to traditional folk singers in various cultural events. He wrote and composed his first song in 1974 after getting inspired by the hard work done by his mother and other women of the town.
Music career Negi recorded his first self-composed song in 1974. In 1976, Negi released his first music album "Garhwali Geetmala." These Geetmalas were in 10 different parts. As these Garhwali Geetmalas were from different companies he was finding it difficult to manage them. So he finally switched to releasing his cassettes by giving them separate titles. His first album came with the title called "Burans".
Negi is credited for introducing main melodic phrases of 12 beats and an irregular four-beat rhythmic pattern (typical of the Jaunsari region) to contemporary songs. He has written songs on love, sorrow, historic events, social, political and environment issue. He has sung in every genre of singing popular in Uttarakhand like "Jagar", "Mangal", "Basanti", "Khuder", "Chhopati", Chounphula and Jhumeila. He has sung in different local languages like Garhwali, Kumaoni, Jaunsari prevailing in the state.
He has also given his voice in Garhwali movies such as Chakrachal, Gharjawai, and Meri Ganga Holi Ta Maima Aali. Bollywood singers including Udit Narayan, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Poornima, Suresh Wadkar, Anuradha Paudwal, Jaspal also sang in Garhwali films under his music direction. He also sang with fellow Garhwali enthusiast Madhuri Barthwal.
Awards Sangeet Natak Akademi 2022 Narendra Singh Negi has been awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in Delhi on 9 April 2022. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has congratulated the state's folk singer Narendra Singh Negi for being honored with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award at the national level. He said that the honor given to Narendra Singh Negi in the field of traditional folk songs is also the honor of the state.
Awaaz Ratna Award On the occasion of Hindi Diwas (15 September 2021), the folk singer of Uttarakhand, Narendra Singh Negi has been honored with the Awaaz Ratna Award 2021.
List of albums
Album Release dateRefNidekhi Paeli Kabhi2025Hey Ramiye2024Twi Chhayi2023Kya Ji Bolun2022Uttarakhand Devabhumi2023Kab Aili2022Syali Ramdei2022Band Bijora2022Hori Ka Khilari2022Kamera Mwara2022Yakhi Basa Rai Jaula2021Kui Ta Baat Holi2020Chali Bhai Motor Chali2005 Ghasyari2002 Haldi Hath1995 Hosiya Umar2002 Jai Dhari Devi1996 Kai The Khojyani Holi2006 Maya Ko Mundaro2009 Nauchammi Narena2006 Nayu Nayu Byo Chha2003 Rumuk2005 Salanya Syali2009 Samdola Ka Dwi Din2000 Syani2002 Thando Re Thando2004 Tu Holi Bira2007 Tumari Maya Ma2001 Utha Jaga Uttarakhand2017 Khud1995 Ab Kathga Khailo2012 Wa Junyali Rat Aige Phir Yad2006 Tapkara1999 Barkha1992 Basant Aige2010 Taka Chhan Ta Taktaka2007 Kargile Laraima1999 Chhibrat1993 Geet Ganga2002Surma Sarela2007Chhuyal2006Jai Bhole Bhandari2017
List of movies
Movie Release date Chakrachal1996 Gharjawain1986 Meri Ganga Holi Ta Maima Aali2004 Kauthig1987 Batwaru2003 Chham Ghunguru2005 Jai Dhari Devi2006 Suberau Gham2014
See also
Meena Rana Pritam Bhartwan
References
External links