Rekha Bhardwaj is a name well known in the Indian music industry, be it Bollywood or regional. Born in 1964, the national award-winning singer released her first album only in 2002. Even though her career had a late start, she has not looked back since then, having received several accolades for her mellifluous renditions, including two Filmfare awards. From her versatile discography, the best and most recent five renditions include:
So Ja So Ja From Pari (2018)
Composed by Anupam Roy, this song is from 2018 Bollywood horror movie Pari starring Anushka Sharma and Parambrata Chatterjee. Bhardwaj’s voice does justice to the slow, creeping paced and minor chord laden composition, delivering the perfect chilling effect that is intended by the song. Her vocal texture adapts perfectly to the chord change when the composition shifts to a major chord near the last verse. The lyrics by Anvita Dutt only adds to the spine shivering effect of the number.
Yeh Ishq Hain From Rangoon (2017)
One of the most anticipated movies of last year, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and starring Kangana Ranaut along with Shahid Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan, Rangoon had quite a disappointing run at the box office. But the movie’s album offered the music lovers with a rich collage of soulful and quirky songs. Rekha Bhardwaj’s version of the Sufi song Yeh Ishq Hain is perhaps the most colorful rendition from the album, combining her vocals with the composition of Vishal Bhardwaj and lyrics by none other than Gulzar.
Teri Fariyaad From Tum Bin 2 (2016)
As the sequel of the 2001 romance Tum Bin, the 2016 movie Tum Bin 2 brought back a cloud of memories and old tunes back for all the late ’90s kids. The former movie had an enviable album with renditions from the maestro Jagjit Singh among others and the song Koi Fariyaad has held a special place in the hearts of ballad lovers since a decade and a half ago. The album of the sequel recreated this iconic song merging the original vocals of Jagjit Singh with added verses sung by Rekha Bhardwaj and renaming the song as Teri Fariyaad. The melancholic streak in Bhardwaj’s voice has ended up intensifying the emotional quality of the song, making it a worthy remake.
Kuch Toh Bata Zindagi From Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)
The reprised version of the song Kuch Toh Bata Zindagi from the 2015 movie Bajrangi Bhaijaan has been rendered by Rekha Bhardwaj along with none other than Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and needless to say, the vocals only enhance the serenity of this composition of Pritam.
Mileya Mileya From Happy Ending (2014)
Composed by Sachin-Jigar, this is a foot tapping romantic edm song with vocals of Rekha Bhardwaj along with Jigar Saraiya and Priya Saraiya. The song is perfect for a long drive playlist with its intertwining soothing and upbeat verses.
There is no denying of the fact that Rekha Bhardwaj is one of the finest and unique voices the Indian music industry boasts of today. Her career graph is not only an indicator of her skill in the art form but is also inspiring.
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