One of the most talented and versatile singers in India, Bela Shende has enthralled audiences around the world with her exceptional melodious voice. She has rocked so many concerts.
What is the turning point of your career?
When I won the National Award for the TVS Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Mega Final, the most recognised and respected musical programme in India, at the of just 16. I was praised whole heartedly by the panel of judges comprising of legends of Indian Music like, Begum Parveen Sultana, Pt.Jasraj, Late. Smt. Rajkumari, Jagjit Singh, O.P.naiyyar, Khaiyyam, Kalyanji, Anandaji, Pt.Hariprasad Chaurasiya, Naushad Shah, Late. Shri Anil Biswas. I got the way after this fantastic award.
Bela-Shende
How you decided to make career in singing?
I was inspired by this field since my childhood. I had taken initial lessons in music by my grand mother, Mrs. Kusum Shende, she is a very famous Marathi stage actress and also a singer of the Kirana Gharana. I am still learning art of singing. I am taking lessons in light classical singing. I am learning Urdu language from my father Dr.Sanjeev Shende as I am singing urdu songs also. From my sister Sawani Shende, I am learning classical music, she is reputed classical singer.
About your memorable performances till date.
Actually every performance is memorable but selected of them I would like to tell you are, I had performed 30 concerts only in USA and Canada at the tender age of 16. Since then I have been travelling frequently all over the world. I had also performed in countries like Dubai, Qatar, London, Belgium, Bahrain etc. Apart from these performances in abroad, I had performed all over India in numerous concerts and saga continues.
I had performed VANDE MATARAM on the auspicious occasion of the inaugural function of Late Shri. Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in the presence of Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Deputy Prime Minister Shri L K Adwani, Meloddy Queen Lata Mangeshkar and many more. I had also performed in front of Honourable Prime Minister of India Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the grand occasion of inaugral function of Sant Dnyaneshwar coin in Pune. I had sung a song ‘Ae mere watan ke logo’ in Pune Festival inaugural function in the grand presence of Shri Amitabh Bacchan.
Something about contribution in the music industry.
For Marathi film I had sung for movies like ‘UTTARAYAN’, ‘THAANG’. ‘SAHAJ TUJHI GAATH PADE’ is my latest Marathi album which includes 8 songs written by greatest Marathi poet Ga.Di. Madgulkar. The songs of Marathi serials like ‘HE DAIV JANILE KUNI’, ‘HA KHEL SAVALYANCHA’, ‘KRISHNA KALI’ and ‘ZHAALE MOKALE AKASH’. My recently released Marathi album is ‘MAZYA MANA’ released by Fountain Music is a big hit, also ‘DOORCHYA RAANAT’has been released by Sony Music. I had also sung Marathi abhang ‘PANDHARICHA SWAMI’ released recently. ‘MOTIYAANCHA CHUR’ a marathi bhavgeet album released by Times Music. I had sung for many commercial jingles and devotional albums like ‘GAYATRI MANTRA’ and ‘HEY RAM’ etc I had started my Hindi playback career from two of Mr. Mahesh Manjrekar’s films namely, EHSAAS and TERA MERA SAATH RAHEN. I had sung for hindi albums like ‘SAPNAY’ and hit album ‘KAISA YEH JADOO’ released by Magnasound (Audio and Video). I had sung for Shahrukh Khan Production for film ‘PAHELI’ under the music direction of Mr. M. M. Kreem. I had also sung for tamil movies.
Something about your award winning performances.
I had got the RAPA NATIONAL AWARD for the best playback singer for ‘ZHALE MOKALE AKASH, Raja Mantri Smruti Puraskar at the hands of Shri Vijay Tendulkar. Nargis Dutt Puraskar, IMI ZEE Sangeet Award for the Debut Singer for 1999-2000 for the album ‘KAISA YEH JADOO’ from hands of Shri Bhupen Hazarika and Shri Ravindra jain.’Pune Ki Asha’ and also Suheel Sneha Award at the hands of Chief Minister Shri Sushil Kumar shinde.
What is going on now?
I am going to sing for Marathi movie ‘PAASH’ which is directed by Arvind jog and is on verge of release. Also for the Hindi movie ‘JODHAA AKBAR’ which is directed by Ashutosh Govarikar and its music is composed by A.R.RAHMAN will get released very soon and many more marathi, hindi and tamil movies. My album with Suresh Wadkar namely ‘SONCHAFA’ is also going to release very soon which contains all types of songs.
