Grammy-nominated and National Award–winning singer Shilpa Rao returned to Ranchi — the city where her musical journey first began — to perform at Jharkhand’s 25th Foundation Day celebrations.
Standing before thousands, Shilpa said she wasn’t just performing as one of India’s leading contemporary voices, but as “a daughter of Ranchi,” a place deeply tied to her roots and growth.
One of the most heartfelt moments of the event came when she invited her parents on stage, honouring the two people who first recognised her talent. Her father, a trained musician with an MA in Music, played a key role in shaping her early discipline, guiding her classical training and supporting her every step of the way.
It was in their Ranchi home, she recalled, that her earliest melodies were born — where she practised every afternoon as a young aspiring singer. Expressing her gratitude, Shilpa said, “Everything I am today is because of Ranchi. It all began here, with my parents standing rock solid. Bringing them on stage was my way of honouring the two people who shaped my voice, my discipline, and my dreams. Whatever the world celebrates in me today is rooted in the foundation they gave me.”
Shilpa appeared visibly emotional during the performance, and her parents were equally moved as they watched the overwhelming love the audience poured on their daughter.
Shilpa Rao won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for “Chaleya” from Jawan (2023). She also earned a Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album (63rd Grammy Awards) for her collaboration with Anoushka Shankar on the album Love Letters.
With inputs from IANS