The Untold Story of Rekha Jha
In a quiet lane of Patna, where the air often carries the faint sound of ragas and folk melodies, lives a woman whose voice has travelled far beyond the boundaries of Bihar. Rekha Jha — a folk singer, Bollywood playback artist, and dedicated music teacher — isn’t just a name; she’s a story of perseverance, passion, and profound love for music.
Rekha ji hails from the culturally rich Mithilanchal region of Bihar. Her early world was painted in the hues of Maithili songs and traditions. “At first, I only knew Maithili,” she recalls, “but I trained under my Guru ji to learn Bhojpuri and other languages.” Today, she fluently sings in multiple tongues, a true representation of India’s musical mosaic.
Her journey with music began early — in fact, it began at home. “By God’s grace, I didn’t have any formal training initially,” she smiles. “My father was my first Guru. He is a music teacher in Patna and gave me my first lessons in vocal training.”
But like many women in India, Rekha ji’s path wasn’t linear. She married young and found herself immersed in the duties of home and motherhood. “I thought I’d have to give up singing,” she says, her voice tinged with the memory of those early doubts. Yet, fate — and family — had different plans. “My husband supported me and encouraged me to continue. When I spoke to my father about it, he suggested I focus on folk and Bhojpuri songs, which were very popular at that time.”
In 2007, Rekha ji decided to take her music more seriously. She enrolled in formal training in both folk and classical traditions. Not long after, an opportunity came knocking. A music director was auditioning singers in Patna for a folk project. “I was hesitant,” she admits. “I didn’t want to go. But my Guru ji urged me. So I went — just to try.” At that audition, Rekha ji sang a devotional Maheshwani dedicated to Lord Shiva. The music director was impressed and offered her a chance to sing “O Womaniya.”
“I was unsure at first,” she laughs. “But after talking to my husband and father, I said yes.”
That “yes” would change everything. The song O Womaniya, featured in the cult film Gangs of Wasseypur, catapulted Rekha ji into the national spotlight. She still remembers the whirlwind that followed. “Within 4–5 months, the song was complete, and in 2013, I was nominated for the Star Guild Award for Best Female Singer — and I won! But what made it truly unforgettable was meeting Lata Mangeshkar ji. She blessed me, and I’ll cherish that moment forever.”
Awards soon followed. In 2012, Rekha ji received the Governor’s Award from Bihar. But life, in its unpredictable way, brought immense trials. In 2014, her husband fell critically ill. “Both his kidneys failed,” Rekha ji shares, voice steady but emotional. “For the next 2–3 years, I had to put everything on pause to care for him. My career took a backseat again.”
Still, the music in her soul refused to fade. In 2016, she was honored by the Bihar Government, and a year later, by the former Government of Goa. Rekha ji continued performing at cultural events, releasing a song that celebrated Bihar’s linguistic diversity by blending five different languages. She was also invited to sing on the devotional TV show Aashish Chhathi Maiya Ke, which became another cherished milestone.
But just as she began to find her rhythm again, life delivered another blow. In 2022, Rekha ji lost her husband. “It was the hardest time of my life,” she says quietly. “I stepped away from music once more for 2–3 years. I had to grieve, to heal.”
And yet — she returned.
Six months ago, she released a new wedding song titled Subhe Ho Subhe, a vibrant track full of emotion and celebration. “It feels good to sing again,” she smiles. “Recently, I even met Honey Singh ji. It fills me with joy whenever I get to meet and connect with such well-known personalities.”
Now, Rekha ji teaches music from her home in Patna, passing her legacy to the next generation — one note at a time.
To the youth, her message is as soulful as her voice:
“Never run away from problems. If you truly want to achieve something, challenges are part of the journey. I’ve been broken many times — but I never gave up. Music is God’s gift to me, and I held on to it through everything. Stay strong. Face your struggles. Success will follow.”
In every melody Rekha ji sings, there’s a story of grace and the unwavering spirit of a woman who never stopped believing.