Rekha Bhardwaj Talks Music and Inspiration

Rekha Bhardwaj, the National Award-winning singer, has been making waves with her latest song, Darmiyaan, from the series Musafir Café. The song, which she has sung with composer Raghav Kaushik, has become a sensation, with its melody and simplicity striking a chord with listeners.

Rekha attributes the song's success to its relatable characters and emotions, which she believes are universal. 'In India, music is a part of our lives,' she says. 'Netflix doesn't usually have songs in their shows, but for this one, they recorded a full album and even shot videos.'

The singer, who grew up learning music from Pandit Amarnath, recalls the importance of riyaaz, or practice, in her musical journey. She remembers a lecture demo by classical vocalist Kishori Amonkar, who emphasized the need to practise eight hours every day.

Rekha's musical influences include ghazal legends like Farida Khanum, Mehdi Hassan, and Jagjit Singh. She was particularly fascinated by Jagjit Singh's compositions and singing style, which revolutionized the ghazal genre. She waited eagerly for his songs in Gulzar's biographical series Mirza Ghalib, which aired on Doordarshan in 1988.

The singer believes that her latest song, Darmiyaan, has a similar emotional impact to Ghalib's poetry. She praises the song's lyrics, written by Amrita Saluja, and composer Raghav Kaushik's melody. However, she jokingly complains that Raghav kept the best lines for himself.

Rekha's husband, Vishal Bhardwaj, is a well-known singer-writer-composer-filmmaker. She had wanted to collaborate with him since her college days, and eventually got the chance when they met Jagjit Singh in Mumbai. Vishal took her to meet Jagjit Singh, who was impressed by her singing and asked her to sing.

Rekha's musical journey is a testament to her passion and dedication to her craft. With Darmiyaan, she has once again proven her ability to connect with listeners through her music.

The song's success is not limited to older audiences; it has also resonated with youngsters. Rekha believes that this is because they are looking for love, peace, and melody in their lives. 'I guess, they are looking for love, peace and melody far more than we are today,' she says with a smile.

As a singer, Rekha Bhardwaj has come a long way, and her latest song, Darmiyaan, is a reflection of her growth and maturity as an artist. With her powerful voice and emotional delivery, she continues to captivate audiences and inspire new generations of music lovers.

In the end, Rekha's story is a reminder that music has the power to transcend generations and touch hearts. Her journey, from learning music from Pandit Amarnath to singing with Raghav Kaushik, is a testament to the enduring power of music to inspire and uplift us.