Rajnigandha Shekhawat is a singer from Rajasthan, India. She is known for singing Rajasthani folk, Bollywood, English and Rajasthani Marwari mashups, and vintage classics. and is the princess of the Thikana of Malsisar
Background and personal life
Belonging to the erstwhile Aristocratic Noble family of Malsisar thikana (riyasat) of Shekhawati. She became the first singer from the traditional and conservative Rajput community of Rajasthan.
Career Rajnigandha Shekhawat is the only singer who does mashups of Rajasthani folk with English music, earning the title of "Maharani of Mashups" from the Rajasthani press. Her mashups of Cheap Thrills with Ghoomar shot her to fame. Many of her videos have become viral hits on Facebook videos, making her the most recognized face of fusion in Rajasthani music. Her subsequent mashups of Shape of You and Single Ladies with Rajasthani folk songs have also been popular. Her ability to sing western music alongside authentic Rajasthani folk songs makes her a unique artist, leading to her unique identity of being more than just a folk singer.
Rajnigandha has done playbacks in 8 films, her biggest song is Badri ki dulhania. She is also the voice of the immensely popular Red FM anthem “Bajaate Raho (Hook ho gaya hoon tere sound pe)”. Having released 3 albums and various singles and jingles for ad films, she regularly performs live in concerts and has over 500 concerts worldwide under her belt, including in Sun City, South Africa and Global Village Dubai & Muscat. She has also given her voice in various popular jingles.
Bollywood Marketing & Publicity :
Shekhawat has parallelly also been a Bollywood marketing professional, having led the publicity team at Disney India for Hindi and Hollywood films, Brand Head at Times Music (Times of India group) and has been associated with Hindi Film actors like Shahid Kapoor, Chunky Panday, Adah Sharma and more in a Publicity & Marketing Managerial capacity.
Education
Schooling from Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls Public School, Jaipur (MGD School). Visharad in Hindustani Classical Music from Maharaja Sawai Man Singh Sangeet Vidyalaya, Jaipur Masters in Hindustani Classical Music for SNDT University, Mumbai (Batch of 2014)
Rajnigandha was nominated for Mirchi Award for Most Promising New Singer in 2017 for the film Shubh Mangal Savdhan. She was recently invited to participate in the reality singing show Rising Star and also performed at the Bigg Boss finale. Rajnigandha's voice was also heard in a season of So You Think You Can Dance.
Trained in Hindustani Classical singing for over 20 years, she currently divides her time between touring for concerts, Bollywood playback songs, recording and shooting and her independent songs and their music video
Discography - Movies Playback Year Song Film / album 2013 "Tattoo" Monsoon Shootout 2014 "Aai's Aalaap" Margarita with a Straw 2017 "Badri Ki Dulhania (Title Track)" Badrinath Ki Dulhania 2017 "Kankad" Shubh Mangal Saavdhan 2021 "Aankh Mare" Simmba 2021 "Laalam Laal" Kaagaz 2021 "Shor Sharaba" 14 Phere 2021 "Aag Ka Dariya" 14 Phere2022"Badhaai Do Title Track"Badhaai DoSatra juga mai - Ramdev jiLaalji KalandarCharkho MharoLaalji Kalandar
Independent Songs +YearSongAlbum / Single2007Kevdo (Traditional)Soul of the desert2007Kevdo (Hindi)Soul of the desert2007Gudd BaantoSoul of the desert2007GhumarSoul of the desert2007MoriyaSoul of the desert2007Ek BaarSoul of the desert2007MumalSoul of the desert2007Kevdo (Hindi Remix)Soul of the desert2011Banna ReBanna Re2011MoriyaBanna Re2011MangetarBanna Re2011Levta Jajo ji HivdoBanna Re2011ChirmiBanna Re2011Digipuri Ka RajaBanna Re2011Kesaria BaalamBanna Re2014Rangi Saari GulabiGulabi2014Chhaap TilakGulabi2014Piya Ghar AyaGulabi2014Zihaal E MiskinGulabi2014Whirling GhoomarGulabi /Soul of the Desert 2014Colour Kesaria Gulabi /Soul of the Desert 2016Gone Gone SongTVS Tripling 2018Bajaate RahoRed FM song 2018 Garba superhitsSingle 2018MehendiSingle2018Jawai PavnaSingle2018Bajudar BangadiSingle2021Rajasthani Folk Medley Single2021GangaurSingle2021Mehala 2023Shri Krishna Govind
Mashups - Rajasthani with English or Hindi +YearMashup song name 2017Cheap Thrils & Ghumar2017Jag Ghumiya & Ghudlo2017Single Ladies & Laal Peeli Ankhiyan2017Game of thrones Indian Classical version2017Despacito & Mai toh bhuli o alija 2018Shape of you & Hichki2019Girls Like You & Leheriyo2019Paradise & Kurjaa2022Kesariya tera & Baisa re beera2022Rataa Lambiyan & Mor Bole Re
Advertisements, TV, Jingles +YearAd songComposer 2011Fanta - Naughty Bubble Amit Trivedi 2011Chyavanprash - Dhoni Amar Mangrulkar2013Ek Nayi Pehchan Promo Micu Patel2015Rajasthan Tourism Logo Reveal Rajat Dholakia, SamirUddin2016Jabong - Silent DiwaliShubhojit2016Gone Gone Song - TVS TriplingAmar Mangrulkar2017Vidai Promo - Ye rishta kya kehlata haiRajeev Bhalla 2017Anmol Biscuits - Utterly ButterlyfullRajeev Bhalla 2017Bajaj PlatinaAbhishek Arora2018Red FM Bajaate Raho / Hook ho gaya Tanishk Vayu2018Lenovo - Rewari to Mars Shubhojit2018Mausam Music Ka - Indian Idol Abhishek Arora
Awards Nominated for Upcoming Female Vocalist at Mirchi Awards year 2017 for her song Kankad in the film Shubh Mangal Savdhan Best Female – Artist Aloud Award 2011 Rajasthan Sangeet Ratna DNA Woman of Substance, RajasthanWOMEN OF SUBSTANCE CELEBRATING WOMANHOOD. Best Fusion Song award in the Non Film Music category at the Jaipur Music Festival awards 2017
References