Few voices in Indian cinema carry the weight of raw emotion like Rekha Bhardwaj’s. Turning 62 on January 24, this powerhouse singer has woven her life story into every note, starting from an improbably young age.

Her songs span the spectrum: the soul-stirring ‘Lakkad’ from Omkara, the melancholic ‘Kabira,’ and the foot-tapping ‘Ghaghra’ and ‘Namak Ishq Ka.’ What binds them is Rekha’s distinctive high pitch, born from a childhood drenched in music against all odds.

Parents who scorned music as frivolous ironically fueled her path. Dad tuned the radio every morning, filling their home with sounds young Rekha adored without fully grasping. No cake-cutting on birthdays—instead, lively music sessions. At three, she sang along; by 12, classical lessons in thumri began.

Years of practice honed her craft, leading to a profound love for ghazals. ‘Perhaps my heart broke in a previous life,’ she quips, explaining her emotive style. College stages became her playground, ghazals winning hearts left and right.

Fate intervened in 1984 with Vishal Bhardwaj at college. Marriage followed in 1991, and though rejections piled up for her unconventional voice, Vishal launched ‘Ishqa Ishqa’ in 2002. Films like Godmother and Chachi 420 followed, but Omkara’s tracks catapulted her to legend status.

Rekha’s journey underscores resilience. From radio-inspired toddler tunes to Bollywood anthems, her voice endures, touching millions with its authenticity.