Inching on a high note

She’s on a musical high after bagging a prestigious award for best playback singer in Sandalwood. Meet the talented Inchara Rao, who won the award for her melodious rendition Kareyole from the film Rangitaranga.

“This was my first award. I was so happy and frankly, my mind was blank when my name was announced. I’m still digesting the fact that I won the award. I’ve received so much love from people in Karnataka and India after bagging the black lady. The song has given me a new identity. People now call me Kareyole Inchara!” says the elated crooner. How did the song happen? “I knew Nirup Bhandari (lead actor in Rangitaranga) through one of my friends, he referred my name to Anup Bhandari (the director) and that’s how the song happened,” she shares.

The best reaction, says Inchara, was from her mother who witnessed her daughter win the award, with tears in her eyes. “She was really proud of me. Considering my mom is my hero, winning it in front of her was an amazing experience. She’s always supported me — she was my first teacher,” she reminisces.

Music runs in Inchara’s blood — her mother and her grandparents are singers too. “I grew up in Shimoga and came to Bengaluru 10 years ago to pursue music. I was the second runner-up at the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa competition. Post that, my rendezvous with playback singing happened. My debut song was Nanna Style Berene from Geleya. My journey has been interesting so far and I love the way my career is taking shape,” she says.

On the musical front, the songstress has performances lined up with her band ‘Inchara Rao Live’ and also collaborations with different musicians. “My latest song is Ayomaya from Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu. I’ve recorded a song for Poornachandra Tejaswi and I’m also working on my own album which will be out in a month or two,” she says.