Nalanda

Origin

Salvador, BA

Years active

1995

Genres

mpb, samba, pop

Instruments

vocals

Biography

Nalanda, born Nalanda Cazzuni Picollo Costa in Salvador, Bahia, is a multi-talented Brazilian singer, songwriter, producer, and businesswoman who has dedicated her life to music since childhood. Moving to Foz do Iguaçu at a young age, she began her professional singing career at just 13 years old before gaining nationwide prominence in 2002 by finishing as the runner-up in the inaugural season of the Rede Globo reality television show Fama. This milestone catapulted her career, leading to several hit songs featured on prominent soap opera soundtracks, including her memorable interpretation of Jorge Vercillo's composition "Sensível Demais" for the telenovela Chocolate com Pimenta.

Over a career spanning more than two decades, Nalanda has built a diverse artistic portfolio that encompasses studio albums, EPs, independent singles, music videos, and theatrical productions, most notably portraying the legendary sambista Clara Nunes to audiences numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Her musical journey has taken her to international stages—sharing performance spaces with iconic artists such as Phil Collins and Lionel Ritchie—and established her as a prominent voice within the southern Brazilian music scene. Alongside her recording work, she has been a regular presence at major regional events like the Planeta Atlântida festival, cementing her status as a versatile performer within Brazilian popular music.

Throughout her trajectory, Nalanda has navigated various cultural hubs in Brazil, living in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo before eventually settling in Porto Alegre, where she remains active in corporate events, social gatherings, and the local nightlife circuit. She continues to honor her deep roots in Brazilian rhythm and song, drawing comparisons in spirit and versatility to other celebrated MPB and samba interpreters. Her enduring presence in the national music landscape highlights a lifelong dedication to performance, songwriting, and cultural production.