Childhood and Education

Alam was born on 27 July 1939 in Routrapur, Baialishi Mouzaa of Cuttack district. The family moved to Cuttack, where he completed his Matriculation at Christ Collegiate School and his Intermediate in Science at Stewart College. Sikandar then attended the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya to study vocal Hindustani classical music. He later studied Odissi music from Pandit Balakrushna Dash.

Professional Career

His first work in the entertainment industry was with All India Radio in 1957. His debut in films was in the movie Laxmi (1964), music composed by Balakrushna Dash. He is known as the Salabeg (the Muslim Devotee of Lord Jagannath) of the modern days because, Salabeg’s lyrics on lord Jagannath has never been sung better other than Sikandar Alam. With more than 50 Odia films, countless private album songs including Jagannath bhajans and Hindi ghajals, Md. Sikandar Alam was a legend of Odia music industry. Recipient of many awards and honours, Alam churned out all time hits in films like Lakshmi (1962), Amada Bata (1964), Adina Megha (1970), Manika Jodi (1964), Mamata (1975), Suryamukhi (1963) etc.

He had performed both in India and internationally. He is credited as the first Odia singer to be heard on BBC London (Just before Rangabati became the most heard Odia song on BBC London).

On 8 August 2010, he died in a city nursing home in Bhubaneswar at the age of 71. He was admitted to the hospital due to prolonged illness.

Family

His father was an IPS officer. His wife Naima Alam, was from Kolkata. She was also a singer of Hindustani classical music, and worked at All India Radio. His eldest daughter Sophia Alam is a television & stage actress and his youngest daughter Nazia Alam is an Odissi classical singer.

Awards

Recipient of the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Odisha State Film Award, he also headed several prestigious cultural bodies like the Sangeet Sudhakar Balakrushna Dash Foundation and Sargam Symphony, an institution for music that he founded.

Flimography as Singer

Asa Asa Sathi Asa [Sagar (1989)]
Tume Mora Prabhu [Sagar (1989)]
Sathi Bhala Nuhen [Sagar (1989)]
Shiba Hey Shiba [Kasturi (1988)]
Aare Kala Malli Dine Bhangijiba [Chha Mana Atha Guntha (1986)]
Shyamali Sunija Shyamali [Palataka (1985)]
Bhaina ! Tikina ! Bhaina Tike Suna Na [Jwain Pua (1983)]
Sun Sunare Bhai Laxmana Kumara [Jwain Pua (1983)]
Emitibi Nadi Achi Jie Kebe Sagarare [Pooja (1981)]
Sangini Aa Rangini Tu Gumana Karana [Batasi Jhada (1981)]
Andha Kari Mote Karilu Re Dhanya [Bilwa Mangala (1981)]
Mun Hajichi Tumari Sapane [Suna Sansara (1978)]
Atmiya Swajan Bandhu Kehi Nunhe [Kula Chandrama (1978)]
Milimisi Thile Sara Paribare Saraga Seneha [Paribar (1978)]
E Mora Manasi Aasa Prema [Punarmilan (1977)]
Aa Re Mita Aa Sangata [Mamata (1975)]
He Mora Babu He [Mamata (1975)]
Mun Ta Manisha Marini [Mamata (1975)]
Boita Bandana [Kanakalata (1974)]
Bada Deule Bada Dian [Kanakalata (1974)]
Mangale Aile Usha [Kanakalata (1974)]
Saathire Ei Baula [Mana Akasha (1974)]
E Bana Jharana Nachi Nachi Jaa Na [Mana Akasha (1974)]
Aa Mayabini Mana Jochhana [Ghara Bahuda (1973)]
Sapanara Pathe Pathe [Dharitri (1973)]
Alapa Hasare Aneka Aasharan [Adina Megha (1970)]
Na Na Na Re Mana [Bandhan (1969)]
E Ranga Rahiba Nahin [Malajanha (1965)]
Dele Dhara Katha Sare Thae Maja Bahu Dure [Amada Bata (1964)]
Sei Nila Pari Deshe Janhi Chandarama Hase [Suryamukhi (1963)]