Shilpa Rao was born on Apeksha Rao; 11 April 1984 and is an Indian singer born and raised in Jamshedpur.
45 Facts About Shilpa Rao
2.
Shilpa Rao completed her Post Graduation in Applied Statistics from St Xavier's College, Mumbai, before working as a jingle singer for three years.
3.
Shilpa Rao was the final Indian singer to perform in Coke Studio Pakistan with the song "Paar Chanaa De" and received praise for singing the song "Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo" from the deluxe edition of the Ae Dil Hai Mushkil soundtrack.
4.
Shilpa Rao is particularly known in the media for trying new styles in her songs and singing for different genres.
5.
Shilpa Rao, who considers her father as her biggest inspiration in the music career, has supported charitable organisations for a number of causes.
6.
Shilpa Rao started singing while she was a kid, tutored and instructed by her father, S Venkat Rao, who holds a degree in music.
7.
Shilpa Rao taught Rao to understand the "nuances" of different ragas: "His method of teaching was casual and at the same time very effective because it was designed to pique my interest".
8.
Shilpa Rao was motivated to be a singer upon meeting with Hariharan, at the age of 13, and commenced training under Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, insisted by Hariharan.
9.
About her early days in the city, Shilpa Rao said: "Jamshedpur is home for me but Mumbai with the people, the place, the pace everything has made a more patient person and a more hardworking artist I could ever be".
10.
Shilpa Rao mentioned that singing jingles was "perhaps the best way" to start in Mumbai as it helped her making the best contacts in the studios.
11.
Shilpa Rao worked as a jingle singer for three years and established a life of her own.
12.
Shilpa Rao sang songs for products such as Cadbury's Munch, Sunsilk, Anchor Gel and No Marks.
13.
Shilpa Rao collaborated with Mithoon in two other projects during the year; Aggar and The Train.
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Shilpa Rao, calling the song a "timeless classic", felt it was beautifully composed and written.
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Shilpa Rao mentioned that she feels "fortunate to be a part" of the song.
16.
Shilpa Rao was next heard in Piyush Mishra-composed Gulaal, where she performed the track "Aisi Sazaa".
17.
Shilpa Rao lent her voice for Trivedi in "Yeh Pal" from No One Killed Jessica, where NDTV noted that the song is "effectively voiced" by Rao.
18.
Shilpa Rao collaborated with lyricist Neelesh Misra and composer Amartya Rahut and formed the Band Called Nine, which works for the traditional Indian craft of storytelling.
19.
Besides, Shilpa Rao appeared in several TV series including MTV Unplugged and The Dewarists, where she performed acoustic versions for some of her previously released songs for the former and the song "I Believe" with Parikrama and Agnee for the latter.
20.
Shilpa Rao considered MTV Unplugged "very challenging" to do since she had to create a totally different version of songs and "present it to people, who have heard it earlier and liked it".
21.
Apart from rendering "Yaariyaan" from Cocktail, Shilpa Rao teamed up with Trivedi in two other films, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu and English Vinglish.
22.
Shilpa Rao was part of the song "Apna Bombay Talkies" from Bombay Talkies which celebrated the 100th year of Indian cinema and the beginning of a new era in modern cinema.
23.
Shilpa Rao next featured along with Sreeram Chandra for Pritam-composed "Subhanallah" from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.
24.
In 2016, Shilpa Rao became the second Indian singer after Sharmistha Chatterjee who appeared with Mekaal Hasan Band, to have the honour of singing in the critically acclaimed musical show Coke Studio Pakistan.
25.
Shilpa Rao made her debut with the folk-song "Paar Chanaa De", that aired in the fourth episode of the ninth season.
26.
Shilpa Rao relates, singer's voice as his or her "own identity".
27.
Deccan Herald mentioned that Shilpa Rao has "enhanced" her reputation by modulating and experimenting with her voice.
28.
Shilpa Rao believes, upbeat and classical-based beats are best suited for her kind of vocals.
29.
Shilpa Rao has a vocal tutor with whom she trains once a week to keep her vocals "fresh" and try "newer textures".
30.
Shilpa Rao has not restricted herself to any particular genre while performing to music.
31.
Shilpa Rao mentioned that she always tries a newer style in her song and has been open to all kinds of music.
32.
Shilpa Rao grew up to ghazals, had a different taste of music while being on the choir group, subsequently moving into Rock music while in teens.
33.
Shilpa Rao credited her music influences and training for the shaping of her voice and style of singing; "I have attempted diverse genres and have always tried to put out something new for audiences with every song".
34.
Shilpa Rao perceived that Hariharan has the perfect voice, training and vocal styling; further complimenting the work of Bombay Jayashri.
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Shilpa Rao has been influenced by many artists outside the country.
36.
Shilpa Rao considers artistes like Sade, Sting and Eddie Vedder as constant influences for her.
37.
Shilpa Rao considers Shruti Pathak and Meiyang Chang as her closest industry friends.
38.
Shilpa Rao gives importance to be fit by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, "eating right" foods and "sleeping well".
39.
In 2021, Shilpa Rao married photographer Ritesh Krishnan in a registered wedding at her home.
40.
In October 2011, Shilpa Rao performed the track "Haseen Zindagi" along with Teesha Nigam, Shruti Pathak, Neha Bhasin, Shefali Alvares and Akriti Kakkar, composed by Sonu Nigam for the project in aid of breast cancer awareness.
41.
Shilpa Rao performed in Delhi at the "100 Pipers Play for a Cause" which is a musical extravaganza dedicated to raising funds for people affected by the Nepal earthquake.
42.
On 2 March 2012, celebrated as Seagram's Fuel Music Day, Shilpa Rao performed live along with 50 other artistes, on a digital platform ArtistAloud.
43.
In February 2013, Shilpa Rao contributed in Coca-Cola NDTV "Support My School" which is a 12-hour telethon which raised funds and pledges for the revitalization of 272 schools.
44.
In May 2013, Shilpa Rao performed in an event focused to create awareness about the effects and influence of tobacco and to raise funds for cancer patients.
45.
In October 2014, Shilpa Rao took part in the musical concert held in New Delhi for raising funds for the flood affected people of Assam.