Richa Sharma is a renowned Indian playback singer and devotional singer known for her powerful voice and soulful singing style. She has made a significant contribution to Hindi film music, Sufi music, and devotional songs. She gained widespread recognition for singing “Maahi Ve” from Kaante (2002) and has performed several popular songs, including “Sajda,” “Chhalka Chhalka Re,” “Zindagi Mein Koi Kabhi Aaye Na Rabba,” and “Jag Soona Soona Lage.” Her expressive voice and versatility have established her as a respected singer in the Indian music industry.
Richa Sharma was born on 29 August 1974 in Faridabad, Haryana, India. She grew up in a family with a strong connection to devotional music. Her father, Pandit Daya Shankar Upadhyaya, and her mother, Manorma Devi, encouraged her musical interests from childhood.
She began singing at religious gatherings and Mata Ki Chowki programmes at the age of eight. She later received formal training in Indian classical and light music under Pandit Aaskaran Sharma. Her early experience with devotional music helped shape her distinctive singing style. In 1994, Richa moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in the music industry. She made her Bollywood playback debut with the film Salma Pe Dil Aa Gaya (1996). Her breakthrough came with the soundtrack of Taal (1999), composed by A. R. Rahman. She subsequently sang for several successful Hindi films, including Zubeidaa, Saathiya, Kaante, Baghban, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Khakee, Om Shanti Om, and My Name Is Khan. Her song “Maahi Ve” from Kaante became one of her best-known performances. She also received acclaim for “Sajda” from My Name Is Khan. Apart from Bollywood playback singing, Richa Sharma has released devotional albums and performed Sufi, ghazal, Punjabi folk, and Rajasthani folk music. Her long career reflects her versatility across different musical genres.