For years now, we have been enchanted by vocalists who play such an essential role in Indian films today. They are the voices which lay the musical background for films and their songs. Bollywood has many, talented as they are, but precedent has shown that few usually stand out more, take dominance and become leaders amongst the followers. There was Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, both of whom, though their renditions are limited today still hold great command in singing a song, and most recently Alka Yagnik. After her first blockbuster, "Ek Do Teen" from Teezab, Alka became ´the singer to use´. We´d be endured to many a soundtracks which had almost all songs sung by her, and as always most of them were gems, but  there were always the tracks that seemed like fillers and were boring. 

As of late, Alka´s contributions have decreased. Music composers who have been known to over use her voice are using it less and sometimes not at all. Several names are being used more, but for once, can we say were are disappointed? Not at all.  

Alka´s voice will remain a gem, a legend in its own right as she has sung for a decade many hits. However, like Lata Mangeshkar, and Asha Bhosle, it seems she has come full circle. Her one in many renditions are worth the treasuring much more than the albums that she dominated. Now, it seems, our soundtracks are a large array of mellifluous talent or rather, a highlight of the unheard rather than beating down the same old track. In Agni Varsha Alka shone in rendition of "Prem Ki Varsha", it was her only song on the album. In the recently released Saaya, composed by Anu Malik, a composer who has done wonders for Alka and has used her a plenty, Alka sings one track, "O Saathiya", the other songs are predominantly sung by Shreya Ghoshal and yet we do remember Alka´s strong composition. On the other hand, Alka has proven that she can take an album and run with it, aside from her many singles, like "Deewana Hai", and superb film soundtracks like "Refugee" (Anu Malik), "Kasoor" (Nadeem-Shravan) and "Taal" (A.R. Rahman) , but those soundtracks are sometimes too far apart and reserved for larger than life films. 

Rajesh Roshan is another composer who has always used Alka repeatedly. But just recently he released several albums without her in it, Na Tum Jaano Na Hum, Koi Mere Dil Se Pooche, his most recent release Koi Mil Gaya, features her again in four songs out of eight, one of the soundtracks which features her more than others. 

Nadeem-Shravan are also known for repeating their singers endlessly. Many times they are lambasted, accused of composing with limited singers like there are no other singers. Their use of Alka Yagnik and her true gift is usually limited as their overuse of Alka and overuse of the same tracks and instrumentation are usually a bad combination! However, time has proven that there will be that one track that will be remembered, most recently, "Kisise Tum Pyar Karo" from Andaaz. It is surprising to note that even their recently release, Qayamat, features Alka only once-- a rare feat for them. Soundtracks like Haasil (Jatin-Lalit) have no songs sung by Alka, and it is well known that Jatin-Lalit have also given Alka some of her greatest hits like "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai".

All said and done, it is notwithstanding the fact that this idea of not using reputed singers and those used frequently has fallen flat on composers as well, Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon being a prime case in point. Still, one has to admit is quite refreshing to hear her voice now than it has been before. 

Granted, Alka is not a spent force and quite frankly far from it, but the repeated use is difficult for anyone that too redundant. It´s nice to hear Alka being used for her quality and not for quantity. Unfortunately, this trend is all too common in Bollywood and I´m sure there are other singers like Chitra and Shreya who are going to be used repetitiously all over soundtracks but for now, distance has surely made the heart grow fonder for one such Alka Yagnik and her beautiful voice.