Rekha Bhardwaj, who has sung Tureya Tureya for Tabbar, says rendering Baba Farid’s kalam was one surreal experience

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Rekha Bhardwaj’s latest song Tureya Tureya for the web series Tabbar is making as much hype as the series itself. She says, “I always wanted to sing Baba Farid but never thought I would be able to. All your singing achievements will always fall short in front of the wisdom the Sufi poets such as Baba Farid or Baba Bulleh Shah.”

Tureya Tureya is the kalam of Baba Farid which has time and again sung by big names like Wadali Brothers, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and now Rekha and Daler Mehendi, both rendering two different versions for Tabbar. The series streaming on Sony LIV stars Pavan Malhotra, Supriya Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, Gagan Arora and Paramvir Singh Cheema in the lead roles.

The Mileya Mileya singer says, “While it is true that I have sung the song for the web series, but Daler and I haven’t collaborated. He is a great singer and we have often met as he and my husband (Vishal Bharadwaj, renowned film director and music composer) have worked together. But for this song specifically, we didn’t have any discussion on how we were going to sing it. In fact, we weren’t even aware of each other’s part in the series till it was reported in the media.”

As far as the understanding of Tureya Tureya goes, Rekha believes, “For me, like everyone else who have read Baba Farid, it’s about the ‘keep moving’ attitude. Come what may looking forward and learning is the only way in life. And mind you, ‘keep moving’ is not what the Gen Z means when they say, ‘moving on’. I have found people relating to the song and the feedback has been great.”

About the Punjabi connect of the song as well as the web series, Rekha says, “I love the rich poetry and Punjabi folk songs. I am always ready to lend my voice to the verses of Sufi poets, old folk tunes and make sense of it in today’s changing world. Singing Baba Farid is no less than a memorable moment for me.”

She is the voice behind the famous song Sasural Genda Phool, which was a Chattisgarh folk song recreated by AR Rahman for the film Delhi-6. But this versatile singer has also sung commercially successful songs like Namak Ishq Ka and Darling.

With festivities in the air and people in the celebratory mood, Rekha is enjoying the post-pandemic live show vibe, but when it comes to offering her prayers and celebrating Navratris or Diwali, she likes to keep it simple. “I thank God everyday but going to a temple to offer my prayers is not my way of worshipping God. It has been years since I last visited a religious place. Sangeet se badi pooja nahi hai’ and luckily songs like Tureya Tureya and many others keep reminding me of the magic of the divine. It cannot be touched but can be felt.” Rekha promises several new songs. Talking of the Broadway style web series, she says we have a long way to go in that direction. “I had once watched a Broadway show in London and till date I can remember the impact it had on me. The usage of fluid power systems such as hydraulic motors in stage shows for special effects had opened my eyes to the new world of music back in 90s.”