Narendra Singh Negi, popularly known as ‘Garh Ratan’ and ‘Dylan of the Hills’, is an Indian folk singer, musician and poet from the hill state of Uttarakhand. He is known for his unique style of folk singing in Uttarakhand. In fact, Narendra Negi’s songs are considered to represent the social, cultural and economic fabric of Uttarakhand.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Narendra Singh Negi was born on Friday, 12 August 1949 (age 71 years; as in 2021) in Pauri, Uttar Pradesh, India (now Uttarakhand, India). His zodiac sign is Leo. When he was a child, his passion for music attracted him to attend various concerts of traditional folk singers of Uttarakhand. Mr Negi completed his graduation from Rampur, Uttarakhand and was awarded a Doctorate in Literature in 2018.
Negi receiving her Doctor of Literature degree in 2018
Physical Appearance
Hair Color: Black
Eye colour: black
Family
Guardian
Mr Negi’s father was a Naib Subedar in the Indian Army and his mother was a housewife.
wife and children
Mr. Negi’s wife’s name is Usha Negi. They have two children, a son Kavilas and a daughter Ritu. His daughter-in-law’s name is Anjali and he has a granddaughter named Chubki.
Narendra Singh Negi with wife Usha Negi, granddaughter Chubki and daughter-in-law Anjali
livelihood
casual artist
Narendra Singh Negi got inspiration to write songs from his mother and he wrote and composed his first song in 1974. Negi wrote his first song at Lehmann Hospital in Herbertpur, Uttarakhand when he went there for his father’s eye operation. The lyrics of the song were-
Shera, just go to Mohan, Uma Rudy Kotra Maa.
Keshav Sharma, the then program executive of Akashvani, inspired Narendra Singh Negi to sing in Akashvani programmes. In 1976, Narendra Singh Negi started singing as a casual artist which gave him the opportunity to start his singing career.
Narendra Singh Negi singing
album
Kumaoni, Garhwali and Jaunsari are some of the local regional languages in which Negi has sung most of his songs. His first music release was ‘Garhwali Geetmala’, and his first music album was ‘Burans’. Negi has sung many influential songs in his career including ‘Nauchami Narayan’ which was released in 2007; The song was written by Negi to ridicule the actions taken by the then ruling Congress party in Uttarakhand and as a result, the song became one of the reasons for the fall of the Congress government in the state. Similarly, his song ‘Ab Kathaga Khailo’ released in 2012 shook the roots of the then BJP government in Uttarakhand and became one of the factors to topple the BJP government in the state. While recovering from a massive heart attack, Narendra Singh Negi wrote the poem ‘Jura Ka Haath Batin’ in 2017, and through this poem he expressed his gratitude towards his fans who prayed for his magical recovery.
When Narendra Singh Negi was discharged from the hospital after recovering from a heart attack in 2017
Through his song ‘Veer Bhadu Ku Desh, Bawan Garho Ku Desh..’, he talks about the 52 Garhs (fortresses) in Uttarakhand, India. During Negi’s stay in Uttarkashi, he released two music albums in favor of the Uttarakhand statehood movement prevalent in the state at that time. A wide range of songs have been written by Shri Negi including love songs, wedding songs, lullabies and songs related to environmental pollution and history. She has also focused on songs that narrate the story and situation of local women in Uttarakhand. Most of the songs sung by Mr. Negi deal with the poor conditions of the local people in Uttarakhand, including young migrant laborers who leave their native villages in search of employment.
film songs
‘Meri Ganga Holi Ta Maama Aliare,’ Chakrachal,’ and ‘Gharjawai’ are some of the films in which Negi has lent her voice.
Youtube channel
Negi’s song ‘Hori Aayegi’ was used in the 1992 Garhwali film Batwaru. He also used this song for his YouTube channel which he launched in 2018. The song ‘Hori Aayegi’ was a big hit; However, the film was unsuccessful.
award
In 2019, Narendra Singh Negi was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award by the Government of India for his contribution to the field of folk music in India.
controversies
- In 2005, Narendra Singh Negi made a satirical song against the then ND Tiwari government of the Indian National Congress, and in 2011, he released a song criticizing the then Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank government of the Bharatiya Janata Party; These songs listed him in the bad books of both the parties.
- Mr Negi lodged a complaint at a police station in Pauri against a 17-year-old boy who had demanded money. Rs 20,000 from Negi in 2021. The boy was a Class 12 student and was released following an apology from the young boy, after Negi wrote a letter to the SSP.
- In 2012, Mr. Negi and his songs were indirectly criticized by a song sung by Gajendra Rana, an emerging and amateur singer from Uttarakhand. He said-
Mr. Negi is jealous of my success. The lyrics of the song are true. All the youth are with me. Narendra Singh Negi has written songs against my songs. He copied my song ‘Leela Gasyari’. He conspired to end my career. My song is not a publicity stunt. Many people are happy with my song. Feel my pain too. My song is not against Mr. Negi. Everyone should get recognition. Narendra Singh Negi has also written songs against politicians. He has problems with everyone. These are not just my views, but singers like me are also promoting this song.
Facts/General Knowledge
- Negi studied in a girls’ school from first to fourth grade. Later, at a young age, the principal of that school asked Negi’s father to transfer him to another school.
- Narendra Singh’s cousin Ajit Singh Negi taught him tabla.
- According to Negi, he started getting interested in singing when he was working as a government official in Uttarakhand.
- When Negi was a child, he aspired to join the Indian Army; However, he could not be included in it.
Reportedly, more than 1000 songs have been sung by Narendra Singh Negi.
- In an interview, Narendra Singh Negi revealed that he likes perfection in his songs, and he released only one cassette in a year.
- Before the Uttarakhand assembly elections in 2011, a video song was released by Negi which highlighted the corruption prevalent in Uttarakhand.
- Once on a tour with a government official, Negi went to a political rally in a remote village in Uttarakhand. Instead of listening to the leader’s political speech, the audience rushed towards Mr Negi and asked for autographs and photographs. Later, somehow, he managed to request the crowd to return to their respective places.
Narendra Singh Negi with local people during a political speech in a village in Uttarakhand
- Once the DM of Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand had warned Negi not to write anti-government songs, when during the Republic Day program in Uttarkashi, a group of people gathered there started singing Negi’s songs.
- Negi believes that sixty years is the most suitable age to write romantic songs. He said,
60 years of age is the best time to write the perfect love song because at this age you can easily see the youth’s mind.
- A liquor bottling plant in Tehri Garhwal got support from Narendra Singh Negi in 2019. Talking about this in an interview he said,
I am not supporting liquor but when people are consuming liquor daily then there is no harm in running a liquor factory in the area. The factory will provide employment and people will not migrate in search of work. In fact, liquor made here is also cheaper. People consume high priced non-country liquor. People may differ but this is my personal opinion.”
- In 2020, Shri Negi supported the ‘Save Himalayas, Remove Polythene’ mission along with Deputy Commandant Harinder Singh Belwal who launched the mission on the 52nd Raising Day of SSB in Uttarakhand, India. Negi gave a public statement-
The Himalayas are not only our crown but also the basis of our life. Therefore it is our responsibility to protect our environment.”
- Narendra Singh Negi followed the campaign ‘It is the duty of the society to save culture’ launched by the Uttarakhand government on environmental issues in 2020. He said during the campaign-
The new generation does not know much about language and culture.”
- Negi is a big fan of Gulzar (an Indian lyricist).
- Narendra Singh Negi has performed not only in India but also globally. He has enthralled audiences in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Muscat, Oman, Bahrain, UAE, etc.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn