Singer in Mumbai
Born to a mellifluous family in the sangeet (music) capital of India, the young Madhushree Bhattacharya of Kolkata was oblivious to the unprecedented success to come that her ma (mother) Parbati Bhattacharya and baba (father) Amarendra Nath Bhattacharya had always foretold. The talented Indian playback singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, musician and philanthropist was soon to find out what stardom felt like when the likes of Oscar winner A. R. Rahman casted her as the voice of ground breaking Bollywood hit in Yuva (Neem, Neem) and prominent composer Rajesh Roshan chose her to be the melodious voice behind the movie Moksha. Madhushree’s response? “I am an artist, I always felt more connected to music and moments than fame and glory”. The once Masters student and gold medalist in Khayal Classical Music was now the on-screen voice of mega-stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee, Preity Zinta and Katrina Kaif to name a few. Madhushree says, “the more love and life you create in the world, the closer to music and God you reach”. With this philosophy, Madhushree aimed to create life in all her performances. Her world tour with A. R. Rahman left audiences in USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Dubai, Singapore and more enthralled. One fan exclaimed that “Madhushree and A. R. Rahman were the ultimate dynamic duo” and this duo continued to colleague together for 12 years with songs Neem Neem (Yuva), Naina Milay Ke (Saathiya), Ham Hain Is pal Yahan (Kisna), Tu Bin Bataye (Rang De Basanti), Dekho Ayi Holi (MangalPandey), Pal Pal Hai Bhari (Swades), In Lamhon Ke Daaman Mei (Jodha Akbar), Ay Sakhi (Raanjhana), ghazals in Tehzeeb and more music in films Lakeer, Guru, Dil Ne Jise Aisa Kaha, Robot, Blue, Boys and Ek Deewana Tha. Rahman also introduced Madhushree to the South (Telugu and Tamil Film Industry) and soon music composers Vidya Sagar, Hairsh Jairaj, Yuvan Shankar, Kartik Raja and many more were elated with her contributions. Madhushree’s personal favourites? “Vaaji Vaaji from Sivaji and Marudhaani are always mentioned by my fans! I hold them dear”. Apart from her contributions to both Bollywood and Tollywood, Madhushree’s dream to create something of her own was fulfilled in 2008 by A.R. Rahamn, GulzarSaheb, Mani Ratnam and Shaan with her own album Lagi Lagan. The album composed by husband Robby Badal was Madhushree’s first and “was like a first child; it took a village to raise it” and she was “very blessed for its 7 week reign on the top of Radio Mirchi charts”. Lagi Lagan was a phenomenal success but it was only the beginning. Madhushree followed her first album with Pal Ek Ehsaas, a second album that focused on love, her core belief. This album to her surprise “related with the young generation” more that many feel have lost their romanticism. Pal EkEhsaas was pure music that captured the hearts of the YouTube gen and then there was no looking back for Madhushree. Her work with music directors like Shankar-Ehsaan-Loi in Tumhe Aaj Maine Jo Dekha (Kuch Na Kaho), MahiVe (Kal Ho Na Ho) and with music directors Rajesh Roshan, Salim-Sulemaan, MMKreem and many more became an everyday affair and her next project Zeel took flight, “a jazzy single that’ll redefine the old Madhushree you know”. Madhushree today is not just a playback voice that has been awarded the coveted Sony Stardust Award for Best Female Playback Singing Sensation but also has been nominated in all major film awards. Nevertheless, her real joy comes from being Madhushree “the performer”, singing nationally and internationally with a live band similar to her remarkable performance at theHollywood Bowl in L.A. which gives “real meaning to music”, says Madhushree. Madhushree is at the peak of her career, a singing sensation in Bollywood but her attention lies in singing for young talented musical composers, who wish to explore her talent and voice in new ways.
Born to a mellifluous family in the sangeet (music) capital of India, the young Madhushree Bhattacharya of Kolkata was oblivious to the unprecedented success to come that her ma (mother) Parbati Bhattacharya and baba (father) Amarendra Nath Bhattacharya had always foretold. The talented Indian playback singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, musician and philanthropist was soon to find out what stardom felt like when the likes of Oscar winner A. R. Rahman casted her as the voice of ground breaking Bollywood hit in Yuva (Neem, Neem) and prominent composer Rajesh Roshan chose her to be the melodious voice behind the movie Moksha. Madhushree’s response? “I am an artist, I always felt more connected to music and moments than fame and glory”. The once Masters student and gold medalist in Khayal Classical Music was now the on-screen voice of mega-stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee, Preity Zinta and Katrina Kaif to name a few. Madhushree says, “the more love and life you create in the world, the closer to music and God you reach”. With this philosophy, Madhushree aimed to create life in all her performances. Her world tour with A. R. Rahman left audiences in USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Dubai, Singapore and more enthralled. One fan exclaimed that “Madhushree and A. R. Rahman were the ultimate dynamic duo” and this duo continued to colleague together for 12 years with songs Neem Neem (Yuva), Naina Milay Ke (Saathiya), Ham Hain Is pal Yahan (Kisna), Tu Bin Bataye (Rang De Basanti), Dekho Ayi Holi (MangalPandey), Pal Pal Hai Bhari (Swades), In Lamhon Ke Daaman Mei (Jodha Akbar), Ay Sakhi (Raanjhana), ghazals in Tehzeeb and more music in films Lakeer, Guru, Dil Ne Jise Aisa Kaha, Robot, Blue, Boys and Ek Deewana Tha. Rahman also introduced Madhushree to the South (Telugu and Tamil Film Industry) and soon music composers Vidya Sagar, Hairsh Jairaj, Yuvan Shankar, Kartik Raja and many more were elated with her contributions. Madhushree’s personal favourites? “Vaaji Vaaji from Sivaji and Marudhaani are always mentioned by my fans! I hold them dear”. Apart from her contributions to both Bollywood and Tollywood, Madhushree’s dream to create something of her own was fulfilled in 2008 by A.R. Rahamn, GulzarSaheb, Mani Ratnam and Shaan with her own album Lagi Lagan. The album composed by husband Robby Badal was Madhushree’s first and “was like a first child; it took a village to raise it” and she was “very blessed for its 7 week reign on the top of Radio Mirchi charts”. Lagi Lagan was a phenomenal success but it was only the beginning. Madhushree followed her first album with Pal Ek Ehsaas, a second album that focused on love, her core belief. This album to her surprise “related with the young generation” more that many feel have lost their romanticism. Pal EkEhsaas was pure music that captured the hearts of the YouTube gen and then there was no looking back for Madhushree. Her work with music directors like Shankar-Ehsaan-Loi in Tumhe Aaj Maine Jo Dekha (Kuch Na Kaho), MahiVe (Kal Ho Na Ho) and with music directors Rajesh Roshan, Salim-Sulemaan, MMKreem and many more became an everyday affair and her next project Zeel took flight, “a jazzy single that’ll redefine the old Madhushree you know”. Madhushree today is not just a playback voice that has been awarded the coveted Sony Stardust Award for Best Female Playback Singing Sensation but also has been nominated in all major film awards. Nevertheless, her real joy comes from being Madhushree “the performer”, singing nationally and internationally with a live band similar to her remarkable performance at theHollywood Bowl in L.A. which gives “real meaning to music”, says Madhushree. Madhushree is at the peak of her career, a singing sensation in Bollywood but her attention lies in singing for young talented musical composers, who wish to explore her talent and voice in new ways.
