Rekha Bhardwaj (also spelled ‘Bharadwaj’) is an Indian playback singer. She is known in the industry for her distinctive singing style. She is the recipient of a National Film Awardfor the Best Female Playback Singer for the film Ishqiya in 2011. In 2012, she won theFilmfare Award for Best Playback Singer (Female) along with Usha Uthup for the song “Darling” from 7 Khoon Maaf. She is married to the famous director, producer, and music composer, Vishal Bharadwaj.
Professional Career
Rekha was a student of music at Hindu College, Delhi. She released her first album titled ‘Ishqa Ishqa’ in 2002 and won critical acclaim. Her song in the movie Omkara, “Namak Issq Ka”, written by Gulzar and composed by her husband, Vishal, won her accolades. She credits both of them with her success. She considers Lata Mangeshkarher idol.
The song “Raat Ki Jogan” from the album, Ishqa Ishqa was conceived in 1994, almost 10 years before it released, when Vishal Bhardwaj had started composing Baba Bulleh Shah’s poetry for Rekha’s album. She used to go with Vishal for music sittings with Gulzar for his movie Maachis where one day, Gulzar said he would write the words for Rekha’s album.
She has also worked as a music assistant to Vishal on the film Hu Tu Tu.
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