Bela Shende is an Indian playback singer. She performed several songs in Bollywood and other film Indian industries. "Mann Mohana" from the film Jodhaa Akbar, "Su Che" from the film What's Your Raashee?, "Wajle Ki Baara" and "Apsara Aali" from Natarang are some of her famous songs. In 2014 she was awarded the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the song "Khurkhura" from the Marathi film Tuhya Dharma Koncha.
Shende started her career with the music album "Kaisa Yeh Jadoo" which was well received by the masses and was critically acclaimed. Her career in Bollywood started with the film Tera Mera Saath Rahen where she voiced for a brief part. She again got a big break in the 2005 submission for Academy Award, Paheli, where she voiced Rani Mukerji. In 2008 she crooned a bhajan in the Ashutosh Gowariker directorial Jodhaa Akbar for an A. R. Rahman composition and got an IIFA Award for Best Female Playback nomination for the song.
She then crooned hits in Marathi, her mother tongue, and received several awards and nominations for her excellence. Her renditions of lavnis "Apsara Aali" and "Vajle Ki Baara" from the Marathi film Natarang were well received. She became the sole voice of Kangana Ranaut in the 2013 musical Rajjo. Bela is credited as a talented vocalist and has established a career in the Marathi film industry. Besides Hindi, she has also sung in Marathi, Urdu, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.Bela Shende sang this song "Mala jau dyana ghari aata wajle ki bara" at a time when this song became very famous and she received a lot of fame. Bela Shende has been working in the music industry since 2001 and has sung many songs till now.
Early life and career Early life Bela Shende was born to Sanjeev Shende and Medha Shende. Her Grandmother, Kusum Shende, is a classical vocalist from the Kirana Gharana. Her sister Sawani Shende is also a classical vocalist. Bela is a graduate in commerce.
Career Bela Shende won the Zee Sa Re Ga Ma reality TV singing contest at the age of 16.
Bela has lent her voice for various music directors most notably Ilayaraja, A. R. Rahman, Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, Ajay–Atul, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Lalit Pandit, M. M. Keeravaani and Sohail Sen. She went on to receive the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer, for rendering the song "Khurkhura", in the year 2014 at the 61st National Film Awards.
Bela's rendition of lavnis in the film Natarang won her widespread critical acclaim. Her renditions of "Apsara Aali" and "Vajle ki Bara" became cult songs over time. Initially she lent her voice to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the epic historical drama Jodhaa Akbar, directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. She then went ahead to lend her voice for Priyanka Chopra in the film What's Your Rashee?, another Ashutosh Gowariker directorial.
In 2013 she became the sole voice of Kangana Ranaut in the musical drama Rajjo. The same year she sang Khurkhura for the film Tuhya Dharma Koncha which earned her National Award. Bela Shende next worked for A. R. Rahman in the Tamil film Kaaviya Thalaivan, its Malayalam version Pradhinayagan and Telugu Version Premaalayam for three versions of two different songs respectively.
In 2016, she recorded the title song for the film Mohenjo Daro along with Arijit Singh, A.R. Rahman and Sanah Moidutty. The song was composed by A.R. Rahman with lyrics penned by Javed Akhtar.
She sang the song "Marathi Breathless" from the album Kanherichi Phule which was composed and directed by Tejas Chavan. The album won the award for best music album at Chitra Padarpan Puraskar.
Discography Film songs Year Film Song(s) Music director(s) Language Co-singer(s) 2001 Tera Mera Saath Rahen "Dum Dum Diga Diga" Anand Raj AnandHindi Atul KaleEhsaas: The Feeling "Tumse Milkar Hua Hai Ehsaas" KK 2005 Paheli "Kangna Re" M.M. Kreem Shreya Ghoshal, Madhushree, Kalapini Komakali, Sonu Nigam "Khali Hai Tere Bina" Hariharan "Minnat Kare"Shreya Ghosal, Madhushree 2008 Jodhaa Akbar "Mann Mohana" A. R. Rahman SoloVaalmiki "Kooda Varuviya" Ilayaraja TamilSilambattam "Machaan Machaan" Yuvan Shankar Raja IlayarajaAegan "Odum Varayil" KK 2009 What's Your Raashee? "Su Chhe" Sohail Sen Hindi Rajab Ali Bharti"Koi Jaane Na"Kunguma Poovum Konjum Puravum "Chinnan Sirusu" Yuvan Shankar Raja Tamil Javed AliHorn Ok Please "Ayela Ayela" Lalit Pandit Hindi Sudesh Bhosle, Nana Patekar 2010 Natarang "Wajle Ki Bara" Ajay–Atul Marathi Solo"Kashi Mi Jau Mathurechya Bajari" Ajay Gogavale "Apsara Aali"Ajay–AtulMumbai-Pune-Mumbai "Ka Kalena" Avinash-Vishwajeet SoloWe Are Family "Sun Le Dua Yeh Aasmaan" Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Hindi Mirch "Mann Bhi Hai" Monty SharmaKanimozhi "Muzhumadhi" Satish ChakravarthyTamil Vijay Yesudas"Yaaro Ival Ival Yaaro"Parthiv Gohil, Mukesh MohamedKacheri Arambam "Azhagu Azhagu" D. Imman Solo 2011 Balgandharva "Aaj Mhare Ghar Pawana" Kaushal Inamdar MarathiPathinaaru "Adada En Meethu" Yuvan Shankar Raja Tamil HariharanArjun "He Shwas Tuze" Lalit Sen Marathi Kunal Ganjawala 2012 Neethaane En Ponvasantham "Vaanam Mella" Ilaiyaraja Tamil IlaiyaraajaYeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu "Laayi Laayi" Telugu IlaiyaraajaLove Recipe "Kare Kya Hum" Sameer PhaterpekarHindi ShaanKamaal Dhamaal Malamaal "Ishq Ki Dafli Baaje Re" Sajid–Wajid Babul Supriyo, Sugandha MishraMarathi Breathless - 9X Jhakaas "Marathi Breathless" Tejas ChavanMarathi Dr. Amol Kolhe 2013 Premachi Goshta "Olya Sanjveli" Avinash-Vishwajeet Swapnil Bandodkar "Haravato Sukhacha"Hrishikesh Ranade, Kailash KherUdhayam NH4 "Maalai Pon Maalai" G. V. Prakash Kumar Tamil S. P. CharanBesharam "Tu Hai (Unplugged)" Lalit Pandit Hindi Sonu NigamTuhya Dharma Koncha "Khurkhura" Dattaprasad Ranade Marathi SoloRajjo "Julmi Re Julmi" Uttam Singh Hindi '"Kaleja Hai Haazir""Kaise Milun Main Piya" Javed Ali "Mere Ghoongru"Lagna Pahave Karun "Reshami Bandhane" Ajay NaikMarathi Solo"Jaanta Ajaanta"Shaan "Tu Shwaas Sare"Kunal GanjawalaMangalashtak Once More "Sar Sukhachi Shravani" Nilesh Moharir Abhijeet Sawant 2014 Kaaviya Thalaivan "Alli Arjuna : Priya Sakhiye" A. R. Rahman Tamil Haricharan "Aarumilla" Malayalam (Dubbed version) Srinivas"Chalunaya" Telugu (Dubbed version) Ishq Wala Love "Jeev Guntala" Sagar-Madhur Marathi Swapnil BandodkarI "Tum Todo Na" A. R. Rahman Hindi (Dubbed version) Ash King 2015 Baji "Masoli" Atif AfzalMarathi solo Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai 2 "Saath De Tu Mala" Avinash-VishwajeetHrishikesh Ranade "Band Baja"Hrishikesh Ranade, Suresh Wadkar, Anandi Joshi"Saad Hi Preetichi"Swapnil BandodkarClassmates'Roj Mala Visrun Mi"AmitrajHarshwardhan Wavare 2016 Mohenjo Daro "Mohenjo Mohenjo" A.R. Rahman Hindi Arijit Singh, A.R. Rahman, Sanah Moidutty Poshter Girl"Kashala Lawtos"AmitrajMarathiSolo 2019 Mogra Phulaalaa "Maarva" Rohit Shyam RautTriple Seat "Roj Wate" Avinash–Vishwajeet 202199 Songs "Sai Shirdi Sai" A.R. RahmanHindi"O Mera Chand""Sai Shirdi Sai"Telugu"Sai Shirdi Sai"Tamil2022Goshta Eka Paithanichi"Paithani"Manik-GaneshMarathi2023Circuitt "Tujhawina"Abhijit Kawthalekar2024Hi Anokhi Gaath"Mi Raan Bhar"Hitesh Modak Hitesh ModakRukhwat"Rutu Premweda" Gaurav ChatiSonu Nigam Dharmaveer 2"Chal Karu Tayyari" Avinash-Vishwajeet Vishal DadlaniPhullwanti"Bho Shambhoo" Rahul Deshpande Naad "Sapan Watate Ga" Pankaj PadghanAdarsh Shinde2025Nesippaya"Nesippaya Nee Ennai"Yuvan Shankar RajaTamilYuvan Shankar Raja, Javed AliSangeet Manapmaan"Hrutu Vasant"Shankar–Ehsaan–LoyMarathi Shankar MahadevanDevmanus"Aalech Mi"Rohan-RohanRohan PradhanAshi Hi Jamva Jamvi"Phulala Phul"AmitrajAmitrajSant Dnyaneshwaranchi Muktai"Ghanu Vaaje"Avadhoot Gandhi, Devdutta Manisha BajiSolo"Aadi Madhya Urdhwa""Pasaydan""Mungi Udali Aakashi"Ye Re Ye Re Paisa 3"Aali Re Aali Gulabachi Kali"Pankaj PadghanBetter Half Chi Love Story"Na Kalale Kadhi Tula"Sajan Patel, Ameya NareHarshavardhan WavareVadapav"Haravlya Vaata"Kunal-KaranSoloPremachi Goshta 2"Olya Sanjveli 2.0"Avinash–VishwajeetKaavirAbhanga Tukaram"Anandache Dohi"Avadhoot GandhiSolo2026Jabrat"Padracha Gunha"Jaibhim ShindeRanapati Shivray: Swari Agra"Sukh Onjalit"Avadhoot GandhiCup Bashi"Reshim Reshim"Uttam SinghShaan
Non-Film songs YearTitleComposerLanguage Channel2006Sa Re Ga Ma Pa MarathiAjay-AtulMarathi Zee Marathi2007Daiva Janile KuniAshok PatkiMi MarathiHa Khel SavalyanchaEk ZokaNilesh MoharirAyushyachya Valnavar2008Jodi Jamli ReAshok PatkiStar PravahAntarpaatNilesh MoharirAnubandhSwapnil BandodkarZee MarathiChotti BahuAbhijeet HegdepatilHindiZee TV 2010OlakhAshok PatkiMarathiStar PravahSwapnanchya PalikadlePrajaktaMi MarathiVrundavanNilesh Moharir2011ParijaatSaam TVApno Ke Liye Geeta Ka DharmayudhDony HazarikaHindi Zee TVMrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch BahueinAabhas HaMilind IngleMarathiZee MarathiPudhcha PaaulNilesh MoharirStar Pravah2016Nakushi - Tarihi HavihavishiMahesh Kale2018Sukhachya Sarini He Man BawareRohan-RohanColors MarathiChhatriwaliNilesh MoharirStar Pravah2021Dnyaneshwar MauliDevdatta Manisha BajiSony MarathiAai - Mayecha KavachPankaj Padghan Sony MarathiKyun Utthe Dil Chhod AayeAnand Shandilya and Surendra SinghHindi Sony Entertainment Television
Albums Hridayamadhle Gaane – Marathi songs album released by Fountain music Sang in Shri Taufiq Quereshi's fusion album named 'Taa Dhaa' Sapney – Hindi songs album released by Zee Music Company Kaisa Yeh Jadoo – Hindi songs album released by Magnasound (Audio & video) Mazya Manaa – Marathi songs album released by Fountain Music Doorchya Raanat– Marathi songs album on the songs written by N. D. Mahanor, released by Sony Music Pandharicha Swami – Marathi Abhang album released by Fountain music Motiyancha chur – Marathi songs album released by Times Music Sahaj Tuzi Gaath Pade – Marathi album which includes 8 songs written by the greatest Marathi poet G. D. Madgulkar released by Uttam Pushpa Son Chapha – Marathi songs album released by Fountain music Man Mor – Marathi songs album released by Fountain Music Pahila Vahila Prem – Marathi album released by Fountain music Gandha Halke Halke – Marathi songs album released by Fountain music Arpan – Marathi songs album comprising eight songs which she composed and one written by her Father and Guru Dr. Sanjeev Shende Has sung for many commercial jingles and devotional albums like Gayatri Mantra, He Ram, etc.
Awards and nominations