Rekha Surya (born 17 November 1959) is a Hindustani light classical singer.[1][2][3]

Rekha Surya

Early life

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Rekha Surya was born in Lucknow to Inder Prakash Sur and Chand Sur. The couple migrated from Lahore to Lucknow during partition.[4]

Education

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Surya did her initial schooling at Lucknow and later graduated from the Delhi University.[4]

Career

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Surya got her training from Begum Akhtar and Girija Devi.[5] She also turned out to be Begum Akhtar's last student.[6] After Akhtar's death, Surya went to Varanasi intermittently to learn from Girija Devi. She got a scholarship at the Sangeet Natak Academy in the 1980s where Devi, employed as a Guru, trained her. Veteran Sarangi player Bashir Khan was her other Guru.[7]

Surya recorded for the archives of Sangeet Natak Academy (SNA) in 1994. She has written a booklet "Sung In A Certain Style" which was published by SNA.

She represented India at the Asian Music Festival, Sri Lanka (1999) and at the International Falak Festival, Tajikistan (2006). Surya has performed both in India and abroad.[8][9][10]

The classical side

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Surya's style of singing revolves around Sringara Rasa, which connects her with mystical poetry.[11] She sings Dadra, Kajri, Jhoola, Hori, Chaiti and Sufiana kalaam in Dadra and Ghazal style.[12][13][14][15][16]

Awards

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Surya is a Karamveer Chakra Awardee for 2012-13 under the category "Artistes 4 Change."[17]

References

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  1. ^ The Wire (21 July 2018), Urdu Wala Chashma, Episode 36: Begum Akhtar aur Rekha Surya - Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb, retrieved 22 July 2018
  2. ^ Rekha Surya enthralls music lovers in Hyderabad
  3. ^ "Rekha Surya". rekhasurya.com. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  4. ^ a b "The Sensual Voice of Rekha Surya". The Citizen. India. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  5. ^ Singh, Anisha (7 October 2017). "Begum Akhtar As A Student And A Teacher". NDTV. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
  6. ^ Continuing the Legacy of a Legend: Rekha Surya
  7. ^ "Tribuneindia... Interview". www.tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  8. ^ Salman, Peerzada (24 December 2012). "Begum Akhtar's disciple enthrals ghazal lovers". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  9. ^ "Hindi Lovers host Rekha Surya Concert". India Post. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  10. ^ "Music has no boundries:Rekha Suryya". Lahore News, political scandals, scams, Entertainment, Sports, Lahore history, Lahore police and infotainment portal. 20 March 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  11. ^ Culture confluence
  12. ^ "Ghazals win city's heart". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 May 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  13. ^ Chakravorty, Sohini (26 January 2012). "Contemporising traditions". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  14. ^ "Evening of Sufi magic". Hindustan Times. 27 August 2004. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  15. ^ Rekha Surya interviewed by Ashok Vajpeyi
  16. ^ webuser2. "Musical gala by Rekha Surya". Kerala Women. Archived from the original on 18 August 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  17. ^ "Global Awards for Social Justice & Citizen Action by the people sector". karmaveerglobalawards.com. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
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