# Bela Shende

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 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 Saregama 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 (2014 film), 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 2003 | Film | Song(s) | Music director(s) | Language | Co-singer(s) |
| 2001 | Tera Mera Saath Rahen | "Dum Dum Diga Diga" | Anand Raj Anand | Hindi | Atul Kale |
| 2001 | Ehsaas: The Feeling | "Tumse Milkar Hua Hai Ehsaas" | Anand Raj Anand | Hindi | KK |
| 2005 | Paheli | • "Kangna Re" • "Khali Hai Tere Bina" • "Minnat Kare" | M.M. Kreem | Hindi | • Shreya Ghoshal, Madhushree, Kalapini Komakali, Sonu Nigam • Hariharan • Shreya Ghosal, Madhushree |
| 2008 | Jodhaa Akbar | "Mann Mohana" | A. R. Rahman | Hindi | Solo |
| 2008 | Vaalmiki | "Kooda Varuviya" | Ilayaraja | Tamil | Solo |
| 2008 | Silambattam | "Machaan Machaan" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Tamil | Ilayaraja |
| 2008 | Aegan | "Odum Varayil" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Tamil | KK |
| 2009 | What's Your Raashee? | • "Su Chhe" • "Koi Jaane Na" | Sohail Sen | Hindi | Rajab Ali Bharti |
| 2009 | Kunguma Poovum Konjum Puravum | "Chinnan Sirusu" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Tamil | Javed Ali |
| 2009 | Horn Ok Please | "Ayela Ayela" | Lalit Pandit | Hindi | Sudesh Bhosle, Nana Patekar |
| 2010 | Natarang | • "Wajle Ki Bara" • "Kashi Mi Jau Mathurechya Bajari" • "Apsara Aali" | Ajay–Atul | Marathi | • Solo • Ajay Gogavale • Ajay–Atul |
| 2010 | Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai | "Ka Kalena" | Avinash-Vishwajeet | Marathi | Solo |
| 2010 | We Are Family | "Sun Le Dua Yeh Aasmaan" | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Hindi | Solo |
| 2010 | Mirch | "Mann Bhi Hai" | Monty Sharma | Hindi | Solo |
| 2010 | Kanimozhi | • "Muzhumadhi" • "Yaaro Ival Ival Yaaro" | Satish Chakravarthy | Tamil | Parthiv Gohil, Mukesh |
| 2010 | Kacheri Arambam | "Azhagu Azhagu" | D. Imman | Tamil | Solo |
| 2011 | Balgandharva | "Aaj Mhare Ghar Pawana" | Kaushal Inamdar | Marathi | Solo |
| 2011 | Pathinaaru | "Adada En Meethu" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Tamil | Hariharan |
| 2011 | Arjun | "He Shwas Tuze" | Lalit Sen | Marathi | Kunal Ganjawala |
| 2012 | Neethaane En Ponvasantham | "Vaanam Mella" | Ilaiyaraja | Tamil | Ilaiyaraaja |
| 2012 | Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu | "Laayi Laayi" | Ilaiyaraja | Telugu | Ilaiyaraaja |
| 2012 | Love Recipe | "Kare Kya Hum" | Sameer Phaterpekar | Hindi | Shaan |
| 2012 | Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal | "Ishq Ki Dafli Baaje Re" | Sajid–Wajid | Hindi | Babul Supriyo, Sugandha Mishra |
| 2012 | Marathi Breathless - 9X Jhakaas | "Marathi Breathless" | Tejas Chavan | Marathi | Dr. Amol Kolhe |
| 2013 | Premachi Goshta | • "Olya Sanjveli" • "Haravato Sukhacha" | Avinash-Vishwajeet | Marathi | • Swapnil Bandodkar • Hrishikesh Ranade, Kailash Kher |
| 2013 | Udhayam NH4 | "Maalai Pon Maalai" | G. V. Prakash Kumar | Tamil | S. P. Charan |
| 2013 | Besharam | "Tu Hai (Unplugged)" | Lalit Pandit | Hindi | Sonu Nigam |
| 2013 | Tuhya Dharma Koncha | "Khurkhura" | Dattaprasad Ranade | Marathi | Solo |
| 2013 | Rajjo | • "Julmi Re Julmi" • "Kaise Milun Main Piya" • "Kaleja Hai Haazir" • "Mere Ghoongru" | Uttam Singh | Hindi | • solo • Javed Ali • solo • Javed Ali |
| 2013 | Lagna Pahave Karun | • "Reshami Bandhane" • "Jaanta Ajaanta" • "Tu Shwaas Sare" | Ajay Naik | Marathi | • Solo • Shaan • Kunal Ganjawala |
| 2013 | Mangalashtak Once More | "Sar Sukhachi Shravani" | Nilesh Moharir | Marathi | Abhijeet Sawant |
| 2014 | Kaaviya Thalaivan | "Alli Arjuna : Priya Sakhiye" | A. R. Rahman | Tamil | Haricharan |
| 2014 | Kaaviya Thalaivan | "Aarumilla" | A. R. Rahman | Malayalam (Dubbed version) | Srinivas |
| 2014 | Kaaviya Thalaivan | "Chalunaya" | A. R. Rahman | Telugu (Dubbed version) | Srinivas |
| 2014 | Ishq Wala Love | "Jeev Guntala" | Sagar-Madhur | Marathi | Swapnil Bandodkar |
| 2014 | I | "Tum Todo Na" | A. R. Rahman | Hindi (Dubbed version) | Ash King |
| 2015 | Baji | "Masoli" | Atif Afzal | Marathi | solo |
| 2015 | Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai 2 | • "Saath De Tu Mala" • "Band Baja" • "Saad Hi Preetichi" | Avinash-Vishwajeet | Marathi | • Hrishikesh Ranade • Hrishikesh Ranade, Suresh Wadkar, Anandi Joshi • Swapnil Bandodkar |
| 2015 | Classmates | 'Roj Mala Visrun Mi" | Amitraj | Marathi | Harshwardhan Wavare |
| 2016 | Mohenjo Daro | "Mohenjo Mohenjo" | A.R. Rahman | Hindi | Arijit Singh, A.R. Rahman, Sanah Moidutty |
| 2016 | Poshter Girl | "Kashala Lawtos" | Amitraj | Marathi | Solo |
| 2019 | Mogra Phulaalaa | "Maarva" | Rohit Shyam Raut | Marathi | Solo |
| 2019 | Triple Seat | "Roj Wate" | Avinash–Vishwajeet | Marathi | Solo |
| 2021 | 99 Songs | "Sai Shirdi Sai" | A.R. Rahman | Hindi | Solo |
| 2021 | 99 Songs | "O Mera Chand" | A.R. Rahman | Hindi | |
| 2021 | 99 Songs | "Sai Shirdi Sai" | A.R. Rahman | Telugu | |
| 2021 | 99 Songs | "Sai Shirdi Sai" | A.R. Rahman | Tamil | |
| 2022 | Goshta Eka Paithanichi | "Paithani" | Manik-Ganesh | Marathi | Solo |
| 2023 | Circuitt | "Tujhawina" | Abhijit Kawthalekar | Marathi | Solo |
| 2024 | Hi Anokhi Gaath | "Mi Raan Bhar" | Hitesh Modak | Marathi | Hitesh Modak |
| 2024 | Dharmaveer 2 | "Chal Karu Tayyari" | Avinash-Vishwajeet | Marathi | Vishal Dadlani |
| 2024 | Phullwanti | "Bho Shambhoo" | Avinash-Vishwajeet | Marathi | Rahul Deshpande |
| 2024 | Naad | "Sapan Watate Ga" | Pankaj Padghan | Marathi | Adarsh Shinde |
| 2025 | Nesippaya | "Nesippaya Nee Ennai" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Tamil | Yuvan Shankar Raja, Javed Ali |
| 2025 | Sangeet Manapmaan | "Hrutu Vasant" | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Marathi | Shankar Mahadevan |

### Non-Film songs

| Year | Title | Composer | Language | Channel |
| 2006 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Marathi | Ajay-Atul | Marathi | Zee Marathi |
| 2007 | Daiva Janile Kuni | Ashok Patki | Marathi | Mi Marathi |
| 2007 | Ha Khel Savalyancha | Ashok Patki | Marathi | Mi Marathi |
| 2007 | Ek Zoka | Nilesh Moharir | Marathi | Mi Marathi |
| 2007 | Ayushyachya Valnavar | Nilesh Moharir | Marathi | Mi Marathi |
| 2008 | Jodi Jamli Re | Ashok Patki | Marathi | Star Pravah |
| 2008 | Antarpaat | Nilesh Moharir | Marathi | Star Pravah |
| 2008 | Anubandh | Swapnil Bandodkar | Marathi | Zee Marathi |
| 2008 | Chotti Bahu | Abhijeet Hegdepatil | Hindi | Zee TV |
| 2010 | Olakh | Ashok Patki | Marathi | Star Pravah |
| 2010 | Swapnanchya Palikadle | Ashok Patki | Marathi | Star Pravah |
| 2010 | Prajakta | Ashok Patki | Marathi | Mi Marathi |
| 2010 | Vrundavan | Nilesh Moharir | Marathi | Mi Marathi |
| 2011 | Parijaat | Nilesh Moharir | Marathi | Saam TV |
| 2011 | Apno Ke Liye Geeta Ka Dharmayudh | Dony Hazarika | Hindi | Zee TV |
| 2011 | Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein | Dony Hazarika | Hindi | Zee TV |
| 2011 | Aabhas Ha | Milind Ingle | Marathi | Zee Marathi |
| 2011 | Pudhcha Paaul | Nilesh Moharir | Marathi | Star Pravah |
| 2016 | Nakushi - Tarihi Havihavishi | Mahesh Kale | Marathi | Star Pravah |
| 2018 | Sukhachya Sarini He Man Baware | Rohan-Rohan | Marathi | Colors Marathi |
| 2018 | Chhatriwali | Nilesh Moharir | Marathi | Star Pravah |
| 2021 | Dnyaneshwar Mauli | Devdatta Manisha Baji | Marathi | Sony Marathi |
| 2021 | Aai - Mayecha Kavach | Pankaj Padghan | Marathi | Sony Marathi |
| 2021 | Kyun Utthe Dil Chhod Aaye | Anand Shandilya and Surendra Singh | Hindi | 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

| Year | Award | Category | Film | Song | Result |
| 2000 | IMI Zee Sangeet Awards | Debut Singer of the Year | Kaisa Yeh Jadoo | "Kaisa Yeh Jadoo" | Won |
| 2009 | Mirchi Music Awards | Female Vocalist of the Year | Jodhaa Akbar | "Man Mohana" | Won |
| 2009 | International Indian Film Academy Awards | Best Female Playback Singer | Jodhaa Akbar | "Man Mohana" | Nominated |
| 2009 | Stardust Awards | Best Playback Singer – Female | Jodhaa Akbar | "Man Mohana" | Nominated |
| 2010 | Zee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar | Best Playback Singer – Female | Natarang | "Wajle Ki Bara" | Won |
| 2010 | Big FM Entertainment Awards | Best Playback Singer – Female | Natarang | "Apsara Aali" | Won |
| 2010 | Maharashtra State Film Awards | Best Female Playback Singer | Natarang | "Apsara Aali" | Won |
| 2010 | V. Shantaram Awards | Best Playback Singer – Female | Natarang | "Kashi Me Jau Mathurechya Bajari" | Won |
| 2010 | Marathi International Film and Theatre Awards | Best Playback Singer - Female | Natarang | "Wajle Ki Bara" | Won |
| 2010 | Maharashtra Times Sanman | Best Playback Singer – Female | Natarang | "Wajle Ki Bara" | Won |
| 2010 | RAPA National Awards | Best Playback Singer – Female | Zhale Mokale Aakash | "Zhale Mokale Aakash" | Won |
| 2010 | Maharashtracha Favourite Kon? | Favourite Female Playback Singer | Natarang | "Wajle Ki Bara" | Won |
| 2011 | Maharashtracha Favourite Kon? | Favourite Female Playback Singer | Balgandharva | "Aaj Mhare Ghar" | Won |
| 2011 | Marathi International Film and Theatre Awards | Best Playback Singer – Female | Balgandharva | "Aaj Mhare Ghar" | Won |
| 2011 | Maharashtra State Film Awards | Best Female Playback Singer | Dhusar | "Daatlele Dhuke" | Nominated |
| 2011 | Sanskruti Kaladarpan Puraskar | Best Singer – Female | Debu | "Debu" | Won |
| 2014 | Zee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar | Best Playback Singer – Female | Lagna Pahave Karun | "Reshami Bandhane" | Nominated |
| 2014 | Maharashtra Times Sanman | Best Playback Singer – Female | Premachi Goshta | "Olya Sanjveli" | Nominated |
| 2014 | Mirchi Music Awards Marathi | Female Vocalist of the Year | Premachi Goshta | "Olya Sanjveli" | Won |
| 2014 | Mirchi Music Awards Marathi | Song of the Year | Premachi Goshta | "Olya Sanjveli" | Won |
| 2014 | 61st National Film Awards | Best Female Playback Singer | Tuhya Dharma Koncha | "Khurkhura" | Won |
| 2015 | Mirchi Music Awards Marathi | Female Vocalist of the Year | Baavare Prem He | "Baavare Prem He" | Won |
| 2015 | Mirchi Music Awards Marathi | Album of the Year | Mangalashtak Once More | "Sar Sukhachi" | Won |
| 2015 | Chitradrushti Awards | Best Female Playback Singer | 7 Roshan Villa | "Ratra Kali" | Won |

### Honorary awards

* Winner of the TVS Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Mega Final – 1998
* Raja Mantri Smruti Puraskar at the hands of Vijay Tendulkar
* Nargis Dutt Award
* Pune Ki Asha award
* Suheel Sneha Award at the hands of the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra Sushilkumar Shinde
* "Ga Di Ma Award" by Ga Di Ma Pratishthan
* "Vidya Pradnya Puraskar"
* IMA (Indian Music Academy) Award for outstanding contribution in playback singing for consecutive 5 years.
* Pu.La Tarunaai Puraskar (in the name of late Shri Pu.La Deshpande) for outstanding contribution in music.
* Kala Gaurav Puraskar
* Sahyadri Cine Award
* Zee Gaurav Puraskar for her Marathi album Pandharicha Swami
* Stardust Award for New Musical Sensation – Female for the song "su chhe" from the film What's Your Rashee?.