Shreya Ghoshal
Shreya Ghoshal (born 12 March 1984) is an Indian playback singer. She has received four National Film Awards, six Filmfare Awards and nine Filmfare Awards South (one for Telugu, two for Kannada, two for Tamil and four for Malayalam) to date. She has recorded songs for film music in various Indian languages, and has established herself as a leading playback singer of Indian cinema.
Ghoshal aspired to become a playback singer from a young age. At the age of four, she started learning music. At the age of six, she started with her formal training in classical music. At the age of sixteen, she was noticed by film-maker Sanjay Leela Bhansali when she entered and won the television singing reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. Following that, she made her Bollywood playback singing debut with Bhansali's romantic drama Devdas (2002) for which she received a National Film Award, a Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer and Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent.
Apart from playback singing, Ghoshal has appeared as a judge on several television reality shows. She has been honored by the U.S. state of Ohio, where governor Ted Strickland declared 26 June 2010 "Shreya Ghoshal Day". She was awarded with the highest honour in London by the selected members of House of Commons of the United Kingdom. She has also featured four times in Forbes, list of the top 100 celebrities of India.
Early life
Ghoshal was born on 12 March 1984 to a Bengali Hindu family in Murshidabad, Murshidabad district, West Bengal. She grew up in Rawatbhata, a small town near Kota in Rajasthan. Her father, Bishwajit Ghoshal is an electrical engineer and works for the Nuclear Power Corporation of India, and her mother, Sarmistha Ghoshal, is a literature post-graduate. She has a younger brother, Soumyadeep Ghoshal. At the age of four, she started learning music.
Ghoshal completed her schooling up to eighth grade at the Atomic Energy Central School in Rawatbhata. In 1995, she won the All India Light Vocal Music Competition, New Delhi, organised by Sangam Kala Group, in Light Vocal group in sub-junior level. In 1997, when her father was transferred to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, she was relocated to Mumbai, with her family and studied at the Atomic Energy Central School in Anushakti Nagar. She joined the Atomic Energy Junior College to study science. She withdrew from the junior college and enrolled at the SIES College of Arts, Science, and Commerce in Mumbai, where she took up arts with English as her major.
Her mother used to help her in her rehearsals and she accompanied her on the harmonium and started practicing mostly Bengali songs. At the age of six, Ghoshal started with her formal training in classical music. She acquired training from Padmashree Late Kalyanji Bhai and Late Mukta Bhideji. Her first stage performance was made at a club's annual function. When she turned six, she started her lessons in Hindustani classical music. In 2000, at the age of sixteen, she participated and won the television music reality show Sa Re Ga Ma (now Sa Re Ga Ma Pa) on the channel Zee TV.
Ghoshal completed her schooling up to eighth grade at the Atomic Energy Central School in Rawatbhata. In 1995, she won the All India Light Vocal Music Competition, New Delhi, organised by Sangam Kala Group, in Light Vocal group in sub-junior level. In 1997, when her father was transferred to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, she was relocated to Mumbai, with her family and studied at the Atomic Energy Central School in Anushakti Nagar. She joined the Atomic Energy Junior College to study science. She withdrew from the junior college and enrolled at the SIES College of Arts, Science, and Commerce in Mumbai, where she took up arts with English as her major.
Her mother used to help her in her rehearsals and she accompanied her on the harmonium and started practicing mostly Bengali songs. At the age of six, Ghoshal started with her formal training in classical music. She acquired training from Padmashree Late Kalyanji Bhai and Late Mukta Bhideji. Her first stage performance was made at a club's annual function. When she turned six, she started her lessons in Hindustani classical music. In 2000, at the age of sixteen, she participated and won the television music reality show Sa Re Ga Ma (now Sa Re Ga Ma Pa) on the channel Zee TV.
Music career
Her first studio album was Bendhechhi Beena, which was released on 1 January 1998, with 14 tracks. Some of her earlier albums include O Tota Pakhi Re, Ekti Katha (1999), and Mukhor Porag (2000).Ghoshal recorded Bengali studio album Rupasi Raate (2002). Ghoshal recorded devotional songs in albums like Banomali Re (2002), and later, Krishna Bina Ache Ke (2007).
Bollywood debut (2002–04)
Ghoshal caught the attention of director Sanjay Leela Bhansali when she participated in the 75th children's special episode of Sa Re Ga Ma. Bhansali's mother was watching the show and during Ghoshal's performance, she called him to watch her performance, after which he decided to give her a chance in his next film.According to Bhansali, Ghoshal's voice had the innocence needed for the character of Paro in Devdas (2002).
In 2000, Bhansali and music director Ismail Darbar offered her the opportunity to be the voice of Paro, the lead female character of Devdas, who was portrayed by Aishwarya Rai. Ghoshal sang five songs in the film, namely, "Silsila Ye Chaahat Ka", "Bairi Piya", "Chalak Chalak", "Morey Piya", and "Dola Re Dola", with established singers such as Kavita Krishnamurthy, Udit Narayan, Vinod Rathod, KK, and Jaspinder Narula. She was sixteen when she recorded the first song for the film, "Bairi Piya" with Udit Narayan. Her Higher Secondary Examinations were nearing that time and she would take her books and notebooks to the studio in order to study during downtime. "Bairi Piya" was an instant success and topped the charts. The film garnered her first Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for "Dola Re" (shared with Kavita Krishnamurthy)and a National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for "Bairi Piya".Her performance also won her the Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent.
She was an immediate success and was called by various regional film industries for recording songs in her voice. Ghoshal was next heard in Darbar-composed Desh Devi, where she performed three tracks for the film.
After rendering traditional semi-classical songs for her previous ventures, Ghoshal performed two seductive numbers for M. M. Kreem's Jism, which prevented her from being stereotyped.According to Ghoshal, "Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai" and "Chalo Tumko Lekar Chale" from the film "made everyone look at [her] in a new light", opening the doors to a "versatile image".She was awarded with another Filmfare trophy for Best Female Playback Singer for the song "Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai".She thereupon worked with Anu Malik, where she performed the female version of "Aye Meri Zindagi", "Seena Pada" and "Aai Jo Teri Yaad", along with the bhajan-styled "Har Taraf". In spite of providing vocals for "Har Taraf", Ghoshal also made her first on-screen appearance in Saaya. Apart from Inteha, Ghoshal provided vocals for Malik in two other films, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. and LOC Kargil, where she recorded the song "Chann Chann" for the former and "Pyaar Bhara Geet" for the latter, along with Sonu Nigam. Besides, Ghoshal made her first collaboration with Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy by performing the female version of the song "Tu Hi Bata Zindagi". Calling her sing "effortless" in the song, The Hindumentioned that she was "able to impart the required emotions" for the song.
In 2004, Ghoshal contributed to the soundtrack album of Thoda Tum Badlo Thoda Hum by performing four tracks, which were labelled with an "average" tag by Joginder Tuteja from Bollywood Hungama. However, he was "impressed" with Ghoshal's rendition from her songs in Khakee, where he affirmed that Ghoshal's voice suits Aishwarya Rai to the "core" and she "lends credibility to the entire song" in "Wada Raha".Besides, the two duets with Nigam; "Dil Dooba" and "Youn Hi Tum Mujhse", were equally favored by music critics.Further complimenting her vocals in the song "Hum Tumko Nigahon Mein" and "Soniye" from Garv, Tuteja asserted that Ghoshal's "vocals have started to suit the current breed of actresses better and better with each passing day".Apart from Dil Bechara Pyaar Ka Maara, Ghoshal worked with Nikhil–Vinay in other projects, by recording "Betab Dil Hai" from Phir Milenge, and "Woh Ho Tum" from Muskaan.
During the time, Nadeem–Shravan composed Tumsa Nahin Dekha: A Love Story was considered to be the biggest album for Ghoshal, as she sang all the numbers with an exception of one song. She performed a wide variety of songs—from a jazzy number to soft romantic tunes—in the album. According to Ghoshal, the album allowed her to "experiment with the entire range" of her "singing capabilities". Besides, Ghoshal lent her voice for Malik, where she sang "Tumhe Jo Maine Dekha" and "Gori Gori" for Main Hoon Na apart from the title track—which received the maximum praise from critics. Mid Day affirmed that Ghoshal provided "perfect accompaniment" for the track, while Rediff.com was "impressed with her rendition". The year marks her first collaboration with Rajesh Roshan and Daboo Malik by singing the melodious track for the former composed "Saansein Ghulne Lagi" from Aetbaar and performing the track "Shikdum" from Dhoom, for the latter.
In 2000, Bhansali and music director Ismail Darbar offered her the opportunity to be the voice of Paro, the lead female character of Devdas, who was portrayed by Aishwarya Rai. Ghoshal sang five songs in the film, namely, "Silsila Ye Chaahat Ka", "Bairi Piya", "Chalak Chalak", "Morey Piya", and "Dola Re Dola", with established singers such as Kavita Krishnamurthy, Udit Narayan, Vinod Rathod, KK, and Jaspinder Narula. She was sixteen when she recorded the first song for the film, "Bairi Piya" with Udit Narayan. Her Higher Secondary Examinations were nearing that time and she would take her books and notebooks to the studio in order to study during downtime. "Bairi Piya" was an instant success and topped the charts. The film garnered her first Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for "Dola Re" (shared with Kavita Krishnamurthy)and a National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for "Bairi Piya".Her performance also won her the Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent.
She was an immediate success and was called by various regional film industries for recording songs in her voice. Ghoshal was next heard in Darbar-composed Desh Devi, where she performed three tracks for the film.
After rendering traditional semi-classical songs for her previous ventures, Ghoshal performed two seductive numbers for M. M. Kreem's Jism, which prevented her from being stereotyped.According to Ghoshal, "Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai" and "Chalo Tumko Lekar Chale" from the film "made everyone look at [her] in a new light", opening the doors to a "versatile image".She was awarded with another Filmfare trophy for Best Female Playback Singer for the song "Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai".She thereupon worked with Anu Malik, where she performed the female version of "Aye Meri Zindagi", "Seena Pada" and "Aai Jo Teri Yaad", along with the bhajan-styled "Har Taraf". In spite of providing vocals for "Har Taraf", Ghoshal also made her first on-screen appearance in Saaya. Apart from Inteha, Ghoshal provided vocals for Malik in two other films, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. and LOC Kargil, where she recorded the song "Chann Chann" for the former and "Pyaar Bhara Geet" for the latter, along with Sonu Nigam. Besides, Ghoshal made her first collaboration with Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy by performing the female version of the song "Tu Hi Bata Zindagi". Calling her sing "effortless" in the song, The Hindumentioned that she was "able to impart the required emotions" for the song.
In 2004, Ghoshal contributed to the soundtrack album of Thoda Tum Badlo Thoda Hum by performing four tracks, which were labelled with an "average" tag by Joginder Tuteja from Bollywood Hungama. However, he was "impressed" with Ghoshal's rendition from her songs in Khakee, where he affirmed that Ghoshal's voice suits Aishwarya Rai to the "core" and she "lends credibility to the entire song" in "Wada Raha".Besides, the two duets with Nigam; "Dil Dooba" and "Youn Hi Tum Mujhse", were equally favored by music critics.Further complimenting her vocals in the song "Hum Tumko Nigahon Mein" and "Soniye" from Garv, Tuteja asserted that Ghoshal's "vocals have started to suit the current breed of actresses better and better with each passing day".Apart from Dil Bechara Pyaar Ka Maara, Ghoshal worked with Nikhil–Vinay in other projects, by recording "Betab Dil Hai" from Phir Milenge, and "Woh Ho Tum" from Muskaan.
During the time, Nadeem–Shravan composed Tumsa Nahin Dekha: A Love Story was considered to be the biggest album for Ghoshal, as she sang all the numbers with an exception of one song. She performed a wide variety of songs—from a jazzy number to soft romantic tunes—in the album. According to Ghoshal, the album allowed her to "experiment with the entire range" of her "singing capabilities". Besides, Ghoshal lent her voice for Malik, where she sang "Tumhe Jo Maine Dekha" and "Gori Gori" for Main Hoon Na apart from the title track—which received the maximum praise from critics. Mid Day affirmed that Ghoshal provided "perfect accompaniment" for the track, while Rediff.com was "impressed with her rendition". The year marks her first collaboration with Rajesh Roshan and Daboo Malik by singing the melodious track for the former composed "Saansein Ghulne Lagi" from Aetbaar and performing the track "Shikdum" from Dhoom, for the latter.
Personal life and popularity
On 5 February 2015, Ghoshal married her childhood friend Shiladitya Mukhopadhyaya in a traditional Bengali ceremony.
Ghoshal is referred by the media as 'Melody Queen'. Music director Jeet Gannguli,singers Javed Ali,Palak Muchhal, Sonu Nigam,Pakistani singers Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Syed Asrar Shah, A cappella band Penn Masala, actress Dia Mirza,actor Chunky Pandey,and cricketer Suresh Raina,have mentioned her as one of their favorites in the industry. Singers Alka Yagnik,Asha Bhosle, Papon, Sadhana Sargam,filmmaker and music director Vishal Bharadwaj, picked Ghoshal as the best female singers from the generation. Usha Uthup named her among the "voice for the future". Director Vidhu Vinod Chopra has called her "the best singer in the industry". Veteran singers Vani Jairam and Manna Dey has praised her musical abilities.A Canadian singer Nesdi Jones and Ananya Nanda, the winner of Indian Idol Junior (Season 2) mentioned Ghoshal as their inspiration.
Ghoshal was also honored from the U.S. state of Ohio, where governor Ted Strickland declared 26 June as "Shreya Ghoshal Day".The first Shreya Ghoshal Day (on 26 June 2010) was celebrated among her fans on popular microblogging and social networking sites.In April 2013, Ghoshal was awarded with the highest honour in London by the members of House of Commons of the United Kingdom.
In 2012, Ghoshal appeared in the Forbes Celebrity 100, a list based on income and popularity of India's celebrities. She remained in the top fifty spots for four consecutive years, listed at the forty-second spot in 2012–13, the twenty-eighth spot in 2014 and the thirty-third spot in 2015.In 2013, Forbes Indiaplaced her in their "Top 5 Celeb100 Singers and Musicians" list.
Ghoshal is also known for her style and fashion sense.Ghoshal received lots of offers for acting in film industry but she rejected it.In 2013, the UK-based newspaper Eastern Eye placed her forty-third in their "50 Sexiest Asian Women" list. In 2015, it placed her seventh in their "Greatest 20 Bollywood Playback Singers" list. Ghoshal was listed third among the "Top Ten Hottest Female Bollywood Lead Singers" by MensXP.com, an Indian lifestyle website for men.
Ghoshal maintains a Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, account. She is the sixth most liked Indian personality on Facebook and on Twitter.According to the statistics of Socialbakers, Ghoshal ranks in seventh place on Facebook and forty-fourth on Twitter in India.Ghoshal is among the top ten most searched Indian singers on Google Search.
Ghoshal is referred by the media as 'Melody Queen'. Music director Jeet Gannguli,singers Javed Ali,Palak Muchhal, Sonu Nigam,Pakistani singers Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Syed Asrar Shah, A cappella band Penn Masala, actress Dia Mirza,actor Chunky Pandey,and cricketer Suresh Raina,have mentioned her as one of their favorites in the industry. Singers Alka Yagnik,Asha Bhosle, Papon, Sadhana Sargam,filmmaker and music director Vishal Bharadwaj, picked Ghoshal as the best female singers from the generation. Usha Uthup named her among the "voice for the future". Director Vidhu Vinod Chopra has called her "the best singer in the industry". Veteran singers Vani Jairam and Manna Dey has praised her musical abilities.A Canadian singer Nesdi Jones and Ananya Nanda, the winner of Indian Idol Junior (Season 2) mentioned Ghoshal as their inspiration.
Ghoshal was also honored from the U.S. state of Ohio, where governor Ted Strickland declared 26 June as "Shreya Ghoshal Day".The first Shreya Ghoshal Day (on 26 June 2010) was celebrated among her fans on popular microblogging and social networking sites.In April 2013, Ghoshal was awarded with the highest honour in London by the members of House of Commons of the United Kingdom.
In 2012, Ghoshal appeared in the Forbes Celebrity 100, a list based on income and popularity of India's celebrities. She remained in the top fifty spots for four consecutive years, listed at the forty-second spot in 2012–13, the twenty-eighth spot in 2014 and the thirty-third spot in 2015.In 2013, Forbes Indiaplaced her in their "Top 5 Celeb100 Singers and Musicians" list.
Ghoshal is also known for her style and fashion sense.Ghoshal received lots of offers for acting in film industry but she rejected it.In 2013, the UK-based newspaper Eastern Eye placed her forty-third in their "50 Sexiest Asian Women" list. In 2015, it placed her seventh in their "Greatest 20 Bollywood Playback Singers" list. Ghoshal was listed third among the "Top Ten Hottest Female Bollywood Lead Singers" by MensXP.com, an Indian lifestyle website for men.
Ghoshal maintains a Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, account. She is the sixth most liked Indian personality on Facebook and on Twitter.According to the statistics of Socialbakers, Ghoshal ranks in seventh place on Facebook and forty-fourth on Twitter in India.Ghoshal is among the top ten most searched Indian singers on Google Search.
Awards and nominations
Ghoshal has been a recipient of four National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singing: "Bairi Piya" for Devdas (2002), "Dheere Jalna" for Paheli(2005), "Yeh Ishq Haaye" for Jab We Met (2007),and one award for both songs "Pherari Mon" for the Bengali film Antaheen (2008) and "Jeev Rangla" for the Marathi film Jogwa (2008). Ghoshal has won six Filmfare Awards: one RD Burman Award for New Music Talent , and five awards in Best Female Playback Singer category for "Dola Re Dola" for Devdas (2003), "Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai" for Jism (2004),"Barso Re" for Guru (2008),"Teri Ore" for Singh Is Kinng(2009), and "Deewani Mastani" for Bajirao Mastani (2016).
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