MUMBAI: MSinger Shilpa Rao, who rose to fame with songs like ‘Javeda Zindagi’, ‘Khuda Jaane’, ‘Manmarziyaan’ and ‘Bulleya’, among many others, credited music composer Shankar Mahadevan of the celebrated trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy for being by her side and guiding her through her 15 years of journey in the music industry.

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“Shankar Mahadevan sir has helped me a lot in my journey because he sat me down and said first you start recording for jingles that will give you your next step. He was the one person that really helped me when I first came to Mumbai and gave me my first break alongside Mithoon and Naresh ji (Mithoon’s Father) for ‘Anwar’,” says Shilpa Rao.

“From then, everyone from Vishal-Shekhar, Pritam, Rehman Sir, I mean the names are endless and there are so many people who have had that faith in me and given me that stage to be myself behind the mic and I am really very grateful for everything. I am grateful for their friendship and hope to put in some good work. I would like to thank all my fans. Without them it wouldn’t be possible.”

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The singer does her ‘riyaaz’ regularly and urges aspiring musicians to do the same. “I have been practicing every single day and still learning music each day. I think these things really matter and this is why I tell the youth to learn music, to keep chasing music excellence and that is what will get them to glory.”

Credit: koimoi