Rekha Bhardwaj’s voice is Bollywood’s secret weapon—versatile, piercing, unforgettable. As her 62nd birthday nears on January 24, we trace the roots of a career that began before she could tie her shoelaces.
Think of ‘Namak Ishq Ka’ pulsing with passion, ‘Kabira’ dripping melancholy, ‘Lakkad’ evoking primal energy, or ‘Ghaghra’ sparking joy. One voice unites them all, emerging from a home where music defied parental skepticism.
Rekha’s father, music-deprived himself, blasted the radio daily. Three-year-old Rekha absorbed it all, singing instinctively. Family celebrations? Music mehfils, not sweets. Classical training at 12 sculpted her talent, with eight years perfecting ghazals—her soul’s calling. She jokes about a ‘broken heart from past lives’ fueling her depth.
College gigs showcased her prowess. Meeting Vishal Bhardwaj in 1984 changed everything; they wed in 1991. Bollywood’s doors stayed shut to her timbre initially, braving rejections. Vishal’s ‘Ishqa Ishqa’ album in 2002, penned by Gulzar, broke through.
Debuts in Vishal’s compositions for Chachi 420, Godmother, and more built momentum. Omkara in 2006 was the game-changer, with songs that redefined playback singing. Rekha’s story is one of persistence, proving unique voices find their echo.