Foreign Singers in India

Hasn't our Indian music industry opened its ears to international sound? In the last few years, India has seen a lot of coalition with International artists for various soundtracks.


Rewinding a little bit to history, we understand that the development of foreign singers singing Indian numbers had started with great singers like Ghulam Ali who accepted to sing in Nikaah. Mehndi Haasan on the other hand ruled the 'Ghazal' scenario in India for a long time until Indian origin singers like Jagjit Singh, and Chandan Das made an entry. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, another foreign entry to the Indian industry made a landmark with sensational songs like 'Aur Pyar Ho Gaya', 'Bandit Queen' ,'Dhadkan' etc.

Samantha Fox, the English pop singer was invited to India by Bappi Lahiri to sing for the movie Rock Dancer which had Govinda acting in it. One song which caught the attention of many was Tata Young's voice in 'Dhoom Machale' for the movie Dhoom which released in 2004.


When Akon landed in India to record for the blockbuster hit 'Chamak Chalo' from Ra.One The song which set many legs shaking a beat can be considered as a turning point for foreign singers in India. The continuously emerging global market of India has emerged as a platform for many singers to experiment as well. None can forget 'I wanna Chiggy Wiggy with ya' by Kylie Minogue for the movie Blue composed by our own Mozart of Madras, A.R.Rahman.


Snoop Dogg's feat with Akshay Kumar in the movie Singh is King caught the attention of many as well. The trend continues for Punjabi songs too and recently singer Canada girl Nindy Kaur has signed up for projects with the Bollywood industry with a 'Punjabi' tune attached to it. Blockbuster hit movie - Band Baaja Baraat exposed yet another foreign singer Natalie Di Lucio who sang 'Adha Ishq' along with Shreya Ghoshal. The trend which was set years ago still continues with Milli Moonstone, a London singer/musician roped in last year for a Bollywood Project - a supernatural film.