Suresh Wadkar, a name synonymous with soulful melodies, celebrates his 70th birthday today. His voice has enchanted listeners across many languages, including Hindi and Marathi. But did you know this celebrated singer once dreamed of a very different path? He wanted to be a wrestler. His journey from the wrestling mat to the microphone is quite a story. Let’s dive into some fascinating details of his life.
Some voices in the world of music simply touch your heart. Suresh Wadkar’s voice is definitely one of them. He has mastered both deep classical singing and the lively tunes of film music. Yet, his first ambition was to be a powerful wrestler. It’s an inspiring tale, showing how he moved from wrestling grips to hitting perfect notes.
The Early Years
Suresh Ishwar Wadkar was born on August 7, 1955. His family was a middle-class Marathi household in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. His father, Ishwar Wadkar, worked at a textile mill in Girgaon, Mumbai. His mother cooked meals for laborers. The family soon settled in the Girgaon area, where Suresh spent his childhood.
His passion for physical sports showed early on. He particularly loved wrestling. In school and college, he often joined competitions. He usually won them too. His big dream was to become a professional wrestler. However, destiny had other plans for him.
Even with his love for sports, Suresh also enjoyed listening to devotional songs and music as a young boy. His father sang bhajans, or devotional songs, creating a musical atmosphere at home. When Suresh was just five or six years old, his father noticed his singing gift. He began Suresh’s first music lessons.
From Wrestler to Singer
Suresh Wadkar’s singing talent really blossomed when he was eight. Acharya Jiyalal Vasant, a traditional guru, took him under his wing. The guru taught him classical music using the Gurukul method. Suresh also did his schooling under the guru’s care. Later, in 1968, he earned a Prabhakar certificate from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad. After this, he became a music teacher at Arya Vidya Mandir in Mumbai. This marked the start of his professional teaching career.
During his college days, Suresh decided to enter a music competition. This decision changed his life’s direction completely. The competition was a big deal, put on by the respected ‘Sangeet Natak Akademi’. Winning that contest inspired him. It made him realize that music could be his true calling.
That singing competition in 1976 led to his big break. Music composer Ravindra Jain brought him into the Bollywood scene. Suresh quickly made a name for himself with his unique voice. His singing has a depth of classical notes and a delicate touch that makes him stand out. He has sung not just in Hindi films, but also in Marathi, Konkani, and devotional songs.
Lata Mangeshkar’s Endorsement
It was the legendary Lata Mangeshkar who first saw Suresh Wadkar’s true potential in Bollywood. She was so impressed by his voice. She then suggested to filmmaker Raj Kapoor that he should give this young singer a chance. Raj Kapoor was searching for a voice for his film ‘Prem Rog’. On Lata Ji’s advice, he offered Suresh the opportunity. The song “Meri Kismat Mein Tu Nahi Shayad” from ‘Prem Rog’ became a turning point for Suresh Wadkar. After that, his career took off, and he never looked back.
A Master of Devotional Music
Besides his film songs, Suresh Wadkar has made a special mark in devotional music. Many popular devotional tracks are loved in his voice. These include Hanuman Chalisa, Shiv Tandav Stotra, Vitthal Bhajan, Sai Baba Aarti, and Ganesh Vandana. His devotional songs fill the air with devotion all over the country. Even today, his bhajans are often played in temples and at religious events.
Teacher and Mentor
Suresh Wadkar is more than just a great singer. He is also a dedicated teacher. He founded a music academy called ‘Ajiwasan’. There, students learn both classical and light music. This academy has branches not only across the country but also in America and other nations. His goal is to keep the rich tradition of Indian music alive for future generations. He still teaches music regularly and spends time talking with his students.