One of the last playback singers from the golden age of Indian film music, Suresh Wadkar is an Indian playback singer that performs mostly in Hindi and Marathi films. Apart from Hindi and Marathi, Suresh Wadkar has also worked in some Bhojpuri films and Odia albums, and bhajans along with some Konkani films. 

Growing up Wadkar was given professional training in Indian Classical Music, and at the age of 13 years, Suresh Wadkar started working towards the “Prabhakar” certificate offered by the Prayag Sangit Samiti. The certificate is quite reputable and also it is equivalent to a B.ed and also qualifies the awardee to teach music professionally. After Wadkar completed his certificate successfully, he joined the Arya Vidya Mandir in Mumbai as a music teacher.  

In 1976, Wadkar entered the Sur-Singer competition even though he was professionally trained in Indian Classical Music. He won the competition and many hearts along with one of the judges of the competition. Jaidev was impressed with Wadkar and later offered him to sing the song “Seene Mein Jalan” from the movie Gaman in 1978. But his first song was Paheli in 1977. 

The legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar was so impressed with Wadkar’s voice and music command that she would recommend him to big film personalities like Laxshmikant-Pyarelal and Khayyam, and Kalyanji-Anandji. Laxshimikant-Pyarelal soon signed Lata Mangeshkar and Wadkar for a duet “Chal Chameli Bagh Mein” in 1981 for the movie Krodhi. But the turning point came in the form of Raj Kapoor’s Prem Rog in 1982 that blew up Wadkar’s career.  

Wadkar sang many popular songs like Saanjh Dhale Gagan Tale from the movie Utsav in 1984, Surmai Shaam Is Tarah (Lekin), Meri Kismat Mein Tu Nahi (Prem Rog), Lagi Aaj Saawan Ki (Chandni), Aur Iss Dil Mein Kya Rakha Hai (Imaandar), Aao Raas Rachen (Toofan), Der Na Hojaaye Kahin (Heena), O Priya Priya (Dil), Mohabbat Hai Kya Cheez (Prem Rog), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (Dulhan Hum Le Jaayenge), Husn Pahado Ka (Ram Teri Ganga Maili), Sapne Mein (Satya), and one of his all-time famous song Tumse Milke from the movie Parinda in 1989 amongst others. He would also regularly give his voice to Rishi Kapoor in movies like Heena, Prem Granth, Bol Radha Bol, Vijay amongst others. Apart from playback singing, Suresh Wadkar has also been a judge on the Indian singing show Sa Re Ga Ma L’il Champs ad at the 2005 Sanjeet Awards. 

Wadkar’s first Tamil song was for the movie Kanden Kadhalai, an adaption of the famous Bollywood movie Jab We Met. He is also a huge devotional songs singer and has done quite a few bhajans and devotional pieces.  

In 1976, Wadkar won the Madan Mohan Best Male Singer Award at the Sur-Singer competition. He has also been the recipient of the Lata Mangeshkar Purashkar given by the Madhya Pradesh government in 2004, and the Maharastra Pride Award which is given by the Maharastra government to citizens of note. In 2011 he won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer and in 2020 he was honored with the fourth highest civilian honor, Padma Shri given by the government of India.  

On Suresh Wadkar’s birthday, Saregama celebrates his contribution to the Indian Music Industry. 

Now you can play all your favorite Suresh Wadkar songs on Saregama Carvaan Marathi. Saregama Carvaan Marathi is a portable audio speaker that comes with 5000 preloaded evergreen Marathi and Hindi songs that you can enjoy anytime without ad breaks or an internet connection. It also consists of other features like Bluetooth, USB, and AUX connectivity.