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Her lilting voice has mesmerised many
Few religious functions in the capital are complete without
a performance by Veena Shri Rinku. The 29-year-old is the
first woman singer from Jharkhand to have an album released
by T-Series.
Recognition from the music company is just a milestone in
the career of this singer who has sung with the likes of Kumar
Shanu and Sonu Nigam and plans to spread her wings to Mumbai.
Veena Shri was in the news recently when former Jharkhand
Assembly Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari released her album of
Bhojpuri songs. The good news is that over 2,000 cassettes
have already been sold in less than two weeks of the release.
What’s the secret behind her unusual name? The singer
explains that since she was better known as Rinku, she christened
herself Veena Shri Rinku.
Milte hai zindagi mein mohabbat kabhi kabhi is her favourite
song. And like the song, Veena Shri’s experience when
it came to love was bitter. It was only after her divorce
did she decide to give singing a shot as she did not want
to be dependent on anyone. And there was no looking back since
then.
“Even though I won several prizes in school competitions,
I would have remained a bathroom singer had the turn of events
in my life not forced me to take up my hobby as a profession.
There was a time when I was completely devastated both mentally
and physically and music bailed me out. It gave the necessary
solace and peace of mind. Sometimes while singing religious
songs I feel the presence of a divine power,” says Veena
Shri, who has immense faith in God.
Veena Shri attributes her success to her mother, a school
teacher in a government school, “as she was the only
one who believed that her daughter could carve a niche in
the world of professional singer”.
From the paltry Rs 1,200 for her first stage show in Patna
about six years ago, Veena Shri now charges Rs 10,000 per
performance.
But Veena Shri does not charge a penny when she performs
in temples or for NGOs. Though religious songs is her domain,
she also sings Hindi film songs and has also dabbled in classical
music.
Her most memorable moment was the day when she shared the
stage with Kumar Shanu in a musical programme in Hazaribagh
early this year. “I was extremely nervous. It was the
first time I was singing a duet with such a big star. But
thankfully Kumar Shanu made me feel comfortable and he also
said I have a sweet voice. I sang several duets with him and
everyone appreciated the songs,” beams Veena Shri.
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