Raju Singh
Raju Singh is an Indian film and TV background score composer, music director, session musician, singer and a guitarist. His first collaboration was with Malkit Singh of Hai Jamalo fame. Together with Adesh Srivastav they released an album called I Love Golden Star which was quite a rage in the underground circles in Britain. Some of his early compositions include of serials like Dekh Bhai Dekh, Filmi Chakkar, Aahat, Boogie Woogie and CID.
Early life
Rajinder Singh Panesar, aka Raju Singh, was born on 3 April 1969 in Mumbai, India. Son of Gursharan Kaur Panesar and Charanjit Singh Panesar, His father hails from Amritsar and Mother from Ferozepur, Punjab.Singh's family lived in Juhu, Mumbai. He attended St. Xavier's High school, Vile Parle and completed college from Mithibai college in 1986. Raju Singh has been an integral part of the music industry from a very young age of 16 years when he would play the Bass guitar for the veteran music director R.D. Burman. Learning from the masters from such a young age has imbibed in Raju a deep understanding of the role of music in films. Singh's school friends remember him as a guitar and drummer boy. Singh did his first album an Instrumental Tracks Power Of Music with his friend Aadesh Shrivastav in the year 1987 under the label of Venus.
He attended Sangeet Mahabharati founded by Pt. Nikhil Gosh and Complete Theory of Trinity College of London. The first instrument he learned to play was the guitar, followed by tabla and piano. His guitar teachers were Late Mr. Bismak, Mr. Bony D’ Costa, Mr. Dilip Naik, Mr. Mendes and Mr. Das. He learned Tabla from Late Mr. Eknath Pimpley and Late Mr. Prakash Gore. His Piano teacher was Mr. Mendes. Singh can play the Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Tabla and Piano.
Looking back to his childhood Singh says, "I used to accompany my dad to the studio and often watch him play with the likes of S D Burman, R D Burman, Kishore Kumar & Lakhsmikant Pyarelal, this created a strong desire to be one amongst them. After returning home I used to play in front of the mirror and dad used to secretly watch me and when I was done he used to appreciate my work. His words helped me build myself in music."
As a child, Singh used to accompany his teacher Mendes to an NGO near Worli every Sunday and they used to spend time playing different types of instruments with many other musicians. Singh says "This practice taught me an important lesson, the lesson of humility which proved to be useful in every walk of life.
Musical career
As a musician, Singh started playing for Uttam Singh who introduced him as a guitarist for the song Mere Pyar Ki Umar for the movie Waaris, sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Manmohan. Initially he started off as a guitarist with R D Burman and had the honour to be a part of his last movie then slowly progressed on to become an arranger, music director, composer and scorer for Bollywood movies later composing and directing for television and advertising. One of the famous hits is Soniyo from, Gungunati Hain from Satta.Movie Songs
Albums
He has worked with famous names in the industry like Javed Akhtar, Sonu Nigam, KK, Shaan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan & Asha Bhosale.With Javed Akhtar on albums like Tum Yaad Aayein, Tum Aayein & Shayarana
With Sonu Nigam on Sapne ki Baat, Mera dil chahe & Koi baat nahi.
With KK on O Jaana in
With Sunidhi Chauhan on Aira Gaira Nathu Khaira.
List of albums
| Year | Album | Label | Artist | Music Director | Lyricist | Songs |
| Kashmakash | Raju Singh |
| ||||
| Colgate A Reason to Smile | Sony Music Entertainment | Shyam anuragi | Raju Singh | |||
| 2002 | Unique | Tips | jagjit Singh | Raju Singh | ||
| The Wet Mix | Raju Singh | |||||
| Wah Bhai Wah | Pradeep Roy | Raju Singh | ||||
| 1991 | Aira Gaira Nathu Khaira | Saregama | Sunidhi Chauhan | Raju Singh | ||
| 1992 | Power of Music | Venus Records | Madoon | Raju Singh | ||
| 1995 | Roop Inka Mastana | Megnasound | suchitra | Raju Singh | ||
| 1996 | Sangam | SAREGAMA Records | Nusrat fateh ali khan | Raju Singh | Javed Akhtar | |
| 1995 | Koi Baat Nahin | Plus Music | Sadhana Sargam, Sonu Nigam | Raju Singh | Raajesh Johri | |
| 1997 | Naya Naya Pyaar | Plus Music | Sonu Nigam | Raju Singh | Yogesh | |
| 1997 | Tum Yaad Aaye | Big Music | Alka yagnik | Raju Singh | Javed Akhtar | |
| 1997 | Kaun Hai Wohh | Saregama | Amrita bhende | Raju Singh | Shyam Anuragi | |
| 1997 | Aaha | Megnasound | 'Suchitra | Raju Singh | Arjun Raaj | |
| 1997 | Sapne Ki Baat | T-Series | Sonu nigam | Raju Singh | Shyamraj | |
| Ravi | Ravi Behl | Raju Singh | ||||
| 2010 | Mera Dil Chahe | T-Series | Sonu Nigam,Mrudal | Raju Singh | ||
| 2001 | Caliche | Virgin Records | Caliche | Raju Singh | ||
| 2002 | Shantiago Bollywood goes Latino | Shaan, Amit Kumar | Raju Singh | |||
| 2001 | Tum Aaye | Sony BMG | Alka yagnik | Raju Singh | Javed Akhtar | |
| 2002 | VIVA | Times Music | VIVA | Raju Singh | ||
| 2006 | Dhun | Fontana India | Prem | Raju Singh | Anand Bakshi | |
| 2006 | Mere Piya | T-Series | Sonu Nigam, Sapna Mukherjee | Raju Singh | Sudhakar Sharma,Kumar | |
| 2005 | Teri Chahat Mein | Times Music | Manish Agarwal | Raju Singh | Kumaar | |
| 2004 | Dance Blast | Saregama | Amrita Bhende | Raju Singh | Shyam Anuragi | |
| Aapka Abhijeet Sawant | Sony BMG | Abhijeet Sawant | Raju Singh | Sameer | ||
| 2003 | Shairana the Poetic | Universal | Alka yagnik | Raju Singh | Javed Akhtar | |
| 2010 | Yeh Naya Naya Mera Dil Chahe | T-Series | Sadhana Sargam, Sonu Nigam,Hema Sirdesai | Raju Singh | 'Raajesh johri | ' |
Film Scores
Raju Singh has worked with one of the renowned banners Vishesh Films, he has worked on a total of 25 films within a decade with Mahesh Bhatt & Mukesh Bhatt. Some of the famous films that he worked on are Tum Mile, Jannat 2, Murder 2, Khamoshiyan, City Lights, Mr. X & CrookHe has also worked on all the films directed by director Mohit Suri, some of which includes names like Aashiqui 2, Hamari Adhuri Kahani & Ek Villain.
With director Madhur Bhandarkar he has worked on famous movies like Chandni Bar, Traffic Signal & Page 3
With T-Series, he has worked on movies like Yaariyan, Sanam Re & Junooniyat.
Raju Singh also worked on Punjab 1984 which won a National Award.
Partial filmography
Singer
| Year | Movie / TV | Title / Theme | Music Director | Lyricist |
| 2013 | Club 60 | Rooh Mein | Pranit Gedham | Dr. Mahendra Madhukar |
| 2013 | Dedh Ishqiya | Zabaan Jale Hai | Vishal Bhardwaj | Gulzar |
| 2012 | Election Campaign | Vote for Sherley Singh | Raju Singh | |
| Iss Pyaar ko kya naam doon | Rabba Ve | Raju Singh | ||
| Ek hazaro mein meri bahana hai | Tu Hi Tu | Raju Singh | ||
| Geet Hui Sabse Parayi | Mahi ve | Raju Singh | ||
| Love Ne Mila Di Jodi | Love Ne Mila Di Jodi | Raju Singh | ||
| Jane Kya Baat Hui | Title – Jane Kya Baat Hui | Raju Singh | Nida Fazli | |
| Jab Love Hua | Jab Love Hua | Raju Singh | Preiti Mamgain | |
| Sarrkkar Risshton Ki Ankahi Kahani | Sarrkkar Risshton Ki Ankahi Kahani | Raju Singh | ||
| Jaane Pehchaane Se... Ye Ajnabbi | Jaane Pehchaane Se... Ye Ajnabbi | Raju Singh |
TV Title Songs and Background Music
Raju Singh started his career in TV title songs from the TV Serial Dekh Bhai Dekh produced by Jaya Bachchan in 1993 then there has been no looking today he has given music to nearly 125 serial's amounting to more than 12000 episodes.Some of the famous serials include names like Just Mohabbat, Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?, CID, Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin.
Title Song
| Serial Name | Producer | Music Director |
| STAR PLUS | - | - |
| Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? | Raju Singh | |
| Pari Hoon Main | B. R. Films | Raju Singh |
| Ishqbaaaz | 4 Lions Films | Raju Singh |
| Sanjivani | Alchemy Films | Raju Singh |
| Dil Boley Oberoi | 4 Lions Films | Raju Singh |
| Love Ne Mila Di Jodi | Shakuntalam Telefilms Pvt. Ltd. | Raju Singh |
| Dil Mil Gaye | Cinevistaas | Raju Singh |
| Jaane Pehchaane Se... Ye Ajnabbi | Cinevistaas | Raju Singh |
| Kya Hadsa Kya Haqeekat | Balaji Telefilms | Raju Singh |
| Ssshhhh...Koi Hai | Harry Bawecha | Raju Singh |
| Shanno Ki Shaadi | UTV | Raju Singh |
| Annu Ki Ho Gayee Waah Bhai Waah | DJ's A Creative Unit | Raju Singh |
| Gharwali Uparwali | Nirja Guleri | Raju Singh |
| Kisme Kitna Hai Dhum | Optimistix | Raju Singh |
| Kulja Sim Sim | UTV | Raju Singh |
| Meri Mrs. Chanchala | Ken Ghosh | Raju Singh |
| Tanha | Navin Anthule | Raju Singh |
| Chalti Ka Naam Antakashri | B.A.G. Films | Raju Singh |
| Jadoo | Cinevistaas | Raju Singh |
| Kuch Kar Dikhana Hai | optimistix | Raju Singh |
| Kya Masti Kya Dhoom | TV18 | Raju Singh |
| Hum Saath Aath Hain | Prime channel | Raju Singh |
| Daal Me Kala | Asha Parekh | Raju Singh |
| ZEE TV | - | - |
| Woh | United Studios Ltd | Raju Singh |
| Jhansi Ki Rani | Ashish Nagpal | Raju Singh |
| Connected Hum Tum | Disney UTV's | Raju Singh |
| Jhoome Jiiya Re | DJ's A Creative Unit | Raju Singh |
| The Thief of Bagdad | Sanjay Wadhwa | Raju Singh |
| Khana Khazana | Hansal Mehta | Raju Singh |
| Jabb Love Hua | DJ's A Creative Unit | Raju Singh |
| Karawas | Shubankar Gosh | Raju Singh |
| V 3 | Raman Kumar | Raju Singh |
| Sanam | Sobia Khan | Raju Singh |
| Samjauta | Amitabh Bhattacharya | Raju Singh |
| Nathkhat | Bobby Vaatz | Raju Singh |
| Sarkaar | Prime Channel | Raju Singh |
| Tanaav | Vikram Myrah | Raju Singh |
| Parvarish | Jyoti Swarup | Raju Singh |
| Dil Se Dosti | DJ's A Creative Unit | Raju Singh |
| Jane Kaha Mera Jigar Gaya | Surender Bhatia | Raju Singh |
| Boogie Woogie | Javed Jaffrey | Raju Singh |
| Just Mohabbat | DJ's A Creative Unit | Raju Singh |
| Star Yaar Kalakar | In House Productions | Raju Singh |
| Dhadkan | Cinevistaas | Raju Singh |
| Aahat | Pradeep Upoor | Raju Singh |
| CID | Pradeep Upoor | Raju Singh |
| Ek Ladki Anjani Si | Shreya Creations | Raju Singh |
| Devi | Devgan Films | Raju Singh |
| Amber Dhara | DJ's A Creative Unit | Raju Singh |
| Sunday Ke Sunday | Surender Bhatia | Raju Singh |
| Jane Kaha Mera Jigar Gaya | Surender Bhatia | Raju Singh |
| Uncensored | Plus Channel | Raju Singh |
| 5 Star Xpressit | Sony TV | Raju Singh |
| Missing | Ken Ghosh | Raju Singh |
| Tujpe Dil Qurban | Rahul Anand | Raju Singh |
| Khel | Rahul Production | Raju Singh |
| Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam | Pallavi Chatterjee | Raju Singh |
| Kohinoor | Cinevistaas | Raju Singh |
| Raat Hone Ko Hai | B. P. Singh | Raju Singh |
| Baal Baal Bache | DJ's A Creative Unit | Raju Singh |
| Dekh Bhai Dekh | Jaya Bachchan | Raju Singh |
| Kashma Kash | Chanda Narang | Raju Singh |
| Baaje Paayal | Asha Parekh | Raju Singh |
| Metro Club | Subhash Ghai | Raju Singh |
| Magic Mission | Anirban | Raju Singh |
| Aasman Se Aage | Anand Mehendru | Raju Singh |
| Maan | DJs, A Creative Unit | Raju Singh |
| Colgate Top Ten | Raju Singh | |
| Jane Kya Baat Hui | Cinevistaas | Raju Singh |
| Jab Khelo Sab Khelo | Raju Singh | |
| LOC | Rajeev Mehra | Raju Singh |
| Paisa Vasool | Naved Jaffrey | Raju Singh |
| Dhoom Machao Dhoom | Group M Media India Pvt. Ltd. | Raju Singh |
| Safar | Ramesh Sippy | Raju Singh |
| Veer | Cinevistaas | Raju Singh |
| Miscellaneous | - | - |
| Kuch Kar Dikhana Hai | Optimistix | Raju Singh |
| Uf Ye Mohabbat | Karan Saluja | Raju Singh |
| Inspector Eagle | Ramesh Modi | Raju Singh |
| The Real Count Down | Ken Ghosh | Raju Singh |
| Zaroorat Hai Zaroorat | Cinevistaas | Raju Singh |
| M I 4 | Ken Gosh | Raju Singh |
| Hee Hee Ha Ha | Ken Ghosh | Raju Singh |
| Good Morning India | Pallavi Chatterjee | Raju Singh |
| Ret | Ashu Tirika | Raju Singh |
| Detective | Karan Razdan | Raju Singh |
| Mr. Hero | M. Harif | Raju Singh |
| Bombay Talkies | Jaya Bachchan | Raju Singh |
| Kama Sutra | Sreeram Bade | Raju Singh |
| Ready Steady Go | Sreeram Bade | Raju Singh |
| Jharoka | Ashish Chanana | Raju Singh |
| Priya Tendulkar Show | Priya Tendulkar | Raju Singh |
| Cafe Dil Nawaz | Pankaj Parashar | Raju Singh |
| Akbar Birbal | Nirja Guleri | Raju Singh |
| Studio 2 | Sridhar Srinivas | Raju Singh |
| Jaal | B. P. Singh | Raju Singh |
| Niyat | Amitabh Bhattacharya | Raju Singh |
| Tara Rum Pum | B.A.G. Films | Raju Singh |
| Husband And Wife | Karan Razdan | Raju Singh |
| Kulja Sim Sim | UTV | Raju Singh |
| Do Aur Do Paanch | B.A.G. Films | Raju Singh |
| Kiran | Paintal | Raju Singh |
| Dhun | Niraj Pathak | Raju Singh |
| Manzile Aur Bhi Hain | Plus Channel | Raju Singh |
| Aur Phir Ek Dhin | Sony Razdan | Raju Singh |
| Daayra | Anjum Rizvi | Raju Singh |
| Ladies Only | Karan Razdan | Raju Singh |
| Saaj | Irfan Khan | Raju Singh |
| Agni Chakra | Tracinema | Raju Singh |
| Kangan | Akruti | Raju Singh |
| Chalti Ka Naam Antakashri | B.A.G. Films | Raju Singh |
| Gaate Raho.Com | B.A.G. Films | Raju Singh |
| Love Main Kabhi Kabhi | DJ's A Creative Unit | Raju Singh |
| Humare Tumhare | Sony Razdan | Raju Singh |
| Meri Mrs. Chanchala | Ken Ghosh | Raju Singh |
| Janeman Janeman | Neo Films | Raju Singh |
| Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil | Raju Singh | |
| Aasman Se Tapka | Archana Puran Singh | Raju Singh |
| Tumhareliye | Anjum Rizvi | Raju Singh |
| Jab Jab Fool Mile | Samvaad Video | Raju Singh |
| Phalki | Cinevistaas | Raju Singh |
| Dil Ki Baatein | Unity Media | Raju Singh |
| Dhadkan | Cinevistaas | Raju Singh |
| Dil Se Dosti | DJ's A Creative Unit | Raju Singh |
| Hum Hai Dilwale | R. T. Entertainment | Raju Singh |
| Deewane To Deewane Hain | Tracinema | Raju Singh |
| Shakalaka Boom Boom | UTV | Raju Singh |
| Kya Kehti Hai Ye Dhun | Optimistix | Raju Singh |
TV Background
Web Series
Raju Singh started his career in TV title songs from there TV Serial and then some of the web series include names like Haq Se and Pm SelfiWaali which was produced by Ekta Kapoor.| Series Name | Producer | Director | Channel Name |
| Bulbul | Divya Khosla Kumar | Ashish Panda | YouTube |
| XXX | Ekta Kapoor | Ken Ghosh | ALTBalaji |
| Haq Se | Viraj Kapur And Karan Raj Kohli | Ken Ghosh | ALTBalaji |
| PM Selfiewallie | Ekta Kapoor | Ashima Chibber | ALTBalaji |
| Coldd Lassi Aur Chicken Masala | Ekta Kapoor | Pradeep Sarkar | ALTBalaji & ZEE5 |
| Fixerr | Ekta Kapoor | Pradeep Sarkar | ALTBalaji & ZEE5 |
| Kaafir | Siddharth P. Malhotra | Sonam Nair | ALTBalaji & ZEE5 |
| Pawan & Pooja | Siddharth P Malhotra | Shaad Ali and Ajay Bhuyan | MX Player'' |
Events
Jingles
Channel Anthem
- EL TV
- ZEE TV
- SONY TV
- Channel 9
- B4U
- SET MAX
- GURJARI
- LASHKARA
- SONY MIX
- SAB
Personal life
His father Charanjit Singh Panesar was a musician who often played as a guitarist with R D Burman and his dad S D Burman. In 1982, armed with Roland gear, Singh set out to update the entrancing drone and whirling scales of classical Indian music with his record Ten Ragas to a DIsco Beat. After nearly three decades of near-complete obscurity, the album resurfaced when Bombay Connection label impresario Edo Bouman snapped it up while travelling in India. After which he has been given the title 'the father of Acid House’ for the album.
His mother Gursharan Kaur Panesar a housewife was a painter and an artist, with only one sibling, a younger sister, Jasleen Khanna.
Awards and nominations
Singh and Aadesh Shrivastava received their first award together, The Gold Disc Award in the year 1988 for his album "golden star".2009, he was awarded Mirchi Music Award – Best background score for the movie ‘’. He won The Indian Telly Awards for Best title music & background score for Sahib Biwi Ghulam & Amber Dhara in 2005 and 2008 respectively.
Recently he has achieved the 2015 PTC Punjabi Film Awards for the best background score for the movie "Punjab 1984"and The 2016 Golden Petal Award for background score – fiction.
| Year | Award | Works | Notes |
| 1988 | Gold Disc Award | The Album Golden Star | |
| 2005 | The Indian Telly Awards | Best Title Music & Background Score Sahib Biwi Ghulam | |
| 2008 | The Indian Telly Awards | Best Title Music & Background Score Ambar Dhara | |
| 2009 | Mirchi Music Awards | Best Background – | |
| 2012 | Mirchi Music Awards | Background Score of the Year – Raaz 3D | |
| 2015 | PTC Punjabi Film Awards | Best Background Score – Punjab 1984 | |
| 2016 | Golden Petal Awards | Best Background Score – Fiction |