No shortcut to success
Upcoming singer
She entered the music industry through a reality show, but is saddened by the way current talent hunt contests are being organised.
The winner of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in 1998 and singer of many a hit song including the haunting Mann mohara from Jodhaa Akbar, Bela Shende is quite straight forward and outspoken when it comes to her passion and career — music. “When I participated in a reality show, there was no audience poll or voting. You were judged by legends like Pandit Jasraj, Girija Devi, Anil Biswas and Parveen Sultana. That made a big difference,” explains the singer. “In fact, when I registered for the contest I was just 16 and didn’t meet the minimum age requirements. However, after listening to me, Gajendra Singh (the producer of the show) felt that I had potential and made an exception,” she adds.
Singing is in Bela’s genes. Her grandmother, Kusum Shende, and her father, Dr Sanjeev Shende, are renowned musicians and Bela learnt music from them. Even her elder sister Sawani is a well-known Hindustani classical vocalist. “She is my best friend, guru and guide,” says Bela. “My sister and I loved attending classical concerts since childhood.
Then, once my sister started singing in concerts, I used to accompany her with a tanpura. My first performance was in Pune when I was just 12,” remembers Bela. It was during these concerts and the regular riyaaz sessions at home that Bela’s father realised that her voice was more suited for film music.
After winning Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Bela managed to secure a toehold in the music industry in Mumbai. She got the opportunity to work with composers like Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Monty Sharma, Sohail Sen and A R Rahman. Unfortunately, even that was not enough.
While she has a few hits (Su che, Maan mohara) to her credit, she hasn’t been a part of many projects. “I have made a conscious decision to sing songs that I can do justice to,” says Bela. A lot of her contemporaries do a number of stage shows while she sticks to a few. “Right now, I want to concentrate on playback singing,” she says.
In fact, it is this very reason why she ventured into the South Indian film industry. “I met Karthik Raja in a recording studio and initially exchanged just pleasantries. Later, he offered me a song in a Tamil movie. It was a huge hit and I started getting many offers. I am thankful that I grabbed the opportunity because it gave me a chance to work with Ilayaraja in Silambattam. I have also sung in films like Dhanam, Aegan, Valmiki and Premkahani.” Bela has started singing for Marathi films as well. She has already recorded for films like Balgandharva, Natrang, Mumbai Pune Mumbai and Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy.
Life has come a full circle for Bela as she is judging a Marathi musical reality show, Gaurav Maharashtracha, along with Suresh Wadkar. “It is amazing to know that our country is blessed with immense talent,” she remarks. So, what suggestions does she give to aspiring singers? “I have only one message for everyone — there is no shortcut to success. Practice is an important part of any artiste’s life. When I am travelling, I hardly get time but whenever I can, I make it a point to do riyaaz for at least two hours everyday,” she avers.
