Suresh Ishwar Wadkar (born 7 August 1955) is an Indian playback singer known for his work in Hindi and Marathi cinema. He has also contributed to Bhojpuri films, Konkani cinema, Odia music albums, and devotional songs.
In 2020, he was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India. Earlier, in 2018, he received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Sugam Sangeet.
In 1968, at the age of 13, Wadkar was encouraged by his mentor, Jialal Vasant, to pursue the "Prabhakar" certification from the Prayag Sangit Samiti, a qualification equivalent to a B.Ed. Upon completing it, he began teaching music at Arya Vidya Mandir in Mumbai.
Although initially trained in Indian classical music, Wadkar's career took a significant turn when he participated in the Sur-Singar competition in 1976. His victory in the competition, judged by renowned composers like Jaidev and Ravindra Jain, opened the doors to playback singing. Ravindra Jain introduced him to the film industry with the song "Sona Kare Jhilmil Jhilmil Vrishti Pade Tapur Tupur" in Paheli (1977). Jaidev followed by offering him "Seene Mein Jalan" for the film Gaman (1978).
Impressed by Wadkar's voice, Lata Mangeshkar recommended him to composers such as Laxmikant–Pyarelal, Khayyam, and Kalyanji-Anandji. Laxmikant-Pyarelal soon collaborated with Wadkar for a duet with Lata, "Chal Chameli Bagh Mein", in Krodhi (1981). His career reached new heights with songs in films like Hum Paanch and Pyaasa Sawan, culminating in his major breakthrough with Raj Kapoor's Prem Rog (1982). Wadkar continued his association with the R.K. Banner, lending his voice to Rishi Kapoor in films like Henna, Prem Granth, and Bol Radha Bol, as well as to Rajiv Kapoor in Ram Teri Ganga Maili. Some of his iconic songs include "Tum Se Milke" from Parinda (1989) and "Aye Zindagi Gale Laga Le" from Sadma (1983).
In 2009, he debuted in Tamil cinema with the song "Naan Mozhi Arindhaen" from Kanden Kadhalai, a remake of Jab We Met. Over the years, Wadkar has also performed numerous devotional songs in multiple Indian languages for various religious sects, including Vaishnav and Shaivite traditions. In 1996, he collaborated with Asha Bhosle for the Konkani album "Daryachya Deger", singing tracks like "Channeache Rati".
Wadkar's contributions to Marathi music are equally remarkable. He has worked with legendary Marathi music directors, including Pt. Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Sudhir Phadke, Shrinivas Khale, Shridhar Phadke, Vasant Desai, Ashok Patki, Anand Modak and Anil-Arun, creating timeless classics in the regional music industry.
Hindi songs YearFilmSongComposerCo-artist1977Paheli"Saheli Ho Paheli Puccho"Ravindra JainHemlata, Chandrani Mukherjee "Jaane Kaise Baje Ye Hawa"Solo1978Gaman"Seene Mein Jalan"Jaidev1980Hum Paanch"Hum Paanch Pandav"Laxmikant–PyarelalShailendra Singh, Amit Kumar, Anwar1981Pyaasa Sawan"In Hasi Wadiyon"Lata Mangeshkar"Megha Re Megha Re"1982Maine Jeena Seekh Liya"Chehra Kanwal Hai Aapka"Nadeem–ShravanSolo1982Prem Rog"Main Hoon Prem Rogi"Laxmikant–Pyarelal"Mohabbat Hain Kya Cheez"Lata Mangeshkar"Bhanware Ne Khilaya Phool""Meri Nasib Mein"Disco Dancer"Goron Ki Anjaan Na Kalon Ki"Bappi LahiriUsha Mangeshkar1983Masoom"Huzur Is Kadar"R. D. BurmanBhupinder Singh (musician)Sadma"Ae Zindagi Gale Lagale"IlaiyaraajaSolo"Yeh Hawa, Yeh Fiza"Asha Bhosle1984Utsav"Mera Man Baja Mridang"Laxmikant–PyarelalAnuradha Paudwal, Aarti Mukherjee"Sanjh Dhale"SoloBhaiya Dooj"Apni Chhodi Se Karde Biyaah"Chitragupt1985Ram Teri Ganga Maili"Ram Teri Ganga Maili Ho Gayee"Ravindra Jain"Yaara O Yaara"Lata Mangeshkar"Husn Pahadon Ka""Main Hi Main Hoon"Solo1986Saveray Wali Gaadi"Bin Payal Ke Chham Chham"R. D. Burman"Dekho Kaun Aaya"Asha Bhosle1987Imaandaar"Aur Is Dil Mein"Kalyanji–AnandjiSolo"Ae Kaash Dil-E-Nadan""Bada Shaitan Hai Dil""More Ghar Aaye Sajanwa"Sadhana Sargam, Alka YagnikHifazat"Mohabbat Hain Kya"R. D. BurmanAsha BhosleThikana"Aasman Chhat Ho Meri"Kalyanji–AnandjiSolo"Dua Samajh Lo""Thoda Sa Gham"1988Libaas"Khamosh Sa Afsana Paani Se Likha Hota"R. D. BurmanLata MangeshkarHero Hiralal"Bigdi Humein Banani Hain"Babla & KanchanMahendra KapoorWaaris"Ghata Chha Gayi Hain"Uttam SinghLata Mangeshkar1989Chandni"Lagi Aaj Sawan Ki"Shiv–HariAnupama Deshpande"Tu Mujhe Suna"Nitin MukeshPurani Haveli"Sangmarmar Sa Tha"Ajit singhSolo"Aata Hain Mujhko Yaad"Toofan"Jaadugar Ka Jaadu"Anu Malik"Aao Raas Rache Garba Raat Hain"Alka YagnikBhrashtachar"Tere Naina Mere Naino Se"Laxmikant–PyarelalAnuradha PaudwalParinda"Kitni Hain Pyaari Pyaari"R. D. BurmanShailendra Singh"Sehra Main Dulha Hoga""Pyaar Ke Mod Pe"Asha Bhosle"Tum Se Milke"1990Maha-Sangram"Chhodke Tujhko"Anand–MilindMohammed AzizDil"O Priya Priya"Anuradha PaudwalShiva"Marte Hain"IlaiyaraajaAsha Bhosle"Meri Qadar Jani"S. Janaki1991Prahaar: The Final Attack"Dhadkan Jara Rook Gayee Hain"Laxmikant–PyarelalSoloPatthar Ke Phool"Yaar Wai Wai, Yaar Wai Wai"RaamlaxmanS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Poornima, Manhar UdhasAaj Ka Samson"Le Le Tu Pyaar, De De Tu Pyaar"Prem GuptaKavita Krishnamurti, Dilraj KaurKurbaan"Baitha Neeli Jheel Kinare"Anand–MilindAnuradha PaudwalHenna"Der Na Ho Jaye Kahin"Ravindra JainLata Mangeshkar"Janewale O Janewale""Mein Der Karta Nahin"Lekin"Surmai Shaam"Hridaynath MangeshkarSoloLamhe"Yaad Nahi Bhool Gaya"Shiv–HariLata Mangeshkar Thalapathi"Sundari Yeh Jeevan Tara"IlaiyaraajaSadhana SargamVansh"Main Toh Deewani Huyi"Anand–MilindLata Mangeshkar1992Ghar Jamai"Dil Lagate Hain"Sadhana SargamDil Aashna Hai"Dil Aashna Hai"Parampara"Maangti Hain Pyaasi Dharti"Shiv–HariKavita Krishnamurti, Anupama Deshpande, Vinod RathodAasmaan Se Gira"Ghar Jaanam"Louis BanksShailendra Singh, Kavita Krishnamurti1993Kayda Kanoon"Parvaton Pe Chhayee Ghatayein"Anand–MilindSadhana Sargam"Pawan Basanti Behne Lagi"Kavita Krishnamurti"Zulfein Bikhraaye Baahon Mein"Lootere"Ae Sawan Baras Zara"Lata MangeshkarIn Custody"In Custody"Zakir HussainKavita KrishnamurtiAaina"Aaina Hain Mera Chehra"Dilip Sen - Sameer SenLata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle1994Udhaar Ki Zindagi"Thodi Hasi Hai Toh Thode Aansu"Anand–MilindUdit Narayan, Kavita Krishnamurti, Sadhana Sargam1995Rangeela"Pyaar Yeh Jaane Kaise"A. R. RahmanKavita Krishnamurti1996Ghatak"Nigahon Me Chheda"R. D. BurmanSadhana Sargam"Ek Dil Ki Diwani"Prem Granth"Bajoo Bandh"Laxmikant–PyarelalAlka YagnikMuqadar"Chal Kahi Chale Sajna"Anand–MilindBela Sulakhe Maachis"Chhod Aaye Hum"Vishal BhardwajHariharan, KK, Vinod Sehgal1997Bhai"Sajna Sajni"Anand–MilindSadhana SargamLahu Ke Do Rang"Sagar Mein Tarang Hai""Kiska Kasoor Hai"Solo1998Satya"Sapne Mein Milti Hai"Vishal BhardwajAsha BhosleSar Utha Ke Jiyo"Meri Zindagi Meri Jaan"Anand–MilindSonu Nigam1999Hu Tu Tu"Nikla Neem Ke Tale Se"Vishal BhardwajAnuradha Paudwal, Kavita Krishnamurti, Roopkumar Rathod2002Dhumm"Baa Ba Baara"GurukiranK. S. ChithraIndra"Jhoom Jhoom Ke Payal"Mani SharmaSolo2005Naam Gum Jaayega"Tumse Milke Mujhe Aise Lagta Hai Kyon"Anand–MilindSadhana Sargam2006Omkara"Jaag Ja"Vishal BhardwajSoloVivah"Kal Jisne Janam Yaha Paaya"Ravindra JainKumar Sanu, Ravindra Jain"Savaiyya"Solo2008Ek Vivaah... Aisa Bhi"Dono Nibhayein Apna Dharam"Shaan, Shreya Ghoshal2009Kaminey"Raat Ke Dhai Baje"Vishal BhardwajRekha Bhardwaj, Sunidhi Chauhan, Kunal Ganjawala"Raat Ke Dhai Baje" (remix)Ghauttham"Shuruvagide Olage"GurukiranSoloKanden Kadhalai"Naan Mozi Arindhen"Vidyasagar20117 Khoon Maaf"Tere Liye"Vishal Bhardwaj2012Yeh Khula Aasmaan"Yeh Khula Aasmaan"Anand–Milind2014Kahin Hai Mera Pyar"Shaamil Yeh Ho Gaya"Ravindra JainRam ShankarHaider"Do Jahaan"Vishal BhardwajVishal Bhardwaj, Shraddha Kapoor2024Fighter"Mitti"Vishal–ShekharSoloThe Sabarmati Report"Raja Ram"Kartik KushKavita Krishnamurti
Marathi songs