Quick Info
| Profession | Indian Folk Singer |
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| Nationality | Indian |
| Date of Birth | 11/02/1967 |
| Age | 59 years |
| Birthplace | Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, India |
Latest News about Malini Awasthi
22/03/2025
Malini Awasthi discussed the growing global appreciation for Indian folk traditions and said audiences are increasingly embracing these forms of music. The coverage highlighted her continuing role in promoting India’s cultural heritage on international platforms.
22/02/2025
Malini Awasthi launched her first book, Chandan Kiwad, at an event in Lucknow. The launch marked a new milestone beyond singing and drew attention to her broader role as a cultural voice for Indian traditions.
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Bio/Wiki
| Summary | Malini Awasthi is known as the Folk Queen of India. A classically trained musician and Gandabandh disciple of Padma Vibhushan Girija Devi, she is a leading exponent of the Purab Ang Gayaki of the Banaras Gharana. She has dedicated her life to preserving and promoting Indian folk music and cultural heritage. She currently serves as a Professor of Practice at Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, U.P., and previously worked as a visiting professor at the Centre for Media Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. |
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Physical Stats & More
| Eye Color | Black |
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| Hair Color | Black |
Educational Qualification(s)
| Post graduation | Hindustani classical music from Bhatkhande University, Lucknow |
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| M.A. | Modern History (Medieval and modern Indian architecture) from the University of Lucknow |
| Gold Medals | Received gold medals in both master's degrees |
Personal Life
| Marital Status | Married |
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Relationships & More
| Marital Status | Married | ||||||||||||
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| Family |
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Career
| Debut |
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| Awards, Honours, Achievements |
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| Early Career | Started as an artist for Akashvani (All India Radio) at a young age. Top grade artist of All India Radio and A grade artist of Doordarshan, Lucknow. ICCR approved artist. | ||||
| Musical Training | Gandabandh disciple of Padma Vibhushan Girija Devi of the Banaras Gharana. | ||||
| Musical Specialization | Specializes in folk songs in dialects including Hindi, Awadhi, Bundelkhandi, Bhojpuri, Braj, and Kashika. Proficient in classical ragas, ghazals, and folk traditions including kajri, chaiti, dadra, phaag, and sohar. | ||||
| Cultural Contributions | Founded SONCHIRAIYA organization for promotion and proliferation of folk music. Performances have graced prestigious platforms including the Cannes Film Festival. Played a pivotal role in reviving forgotten folk art forms. | ||||
| Current Role | Professor of Practice at Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, U.P. |
Social Media
| https://www.instagram.com/maliniawasthi/ |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. An Indian folk singer who specializes in Hindi and Awadhi languages. | |
| 2. Received the Yash Bharti award in 2006. | |
| 3. Honored with the Padma Shri award in 2016. | |
| 4. Started singing at a young age and learned from renowned teachers. | |
| 5. Performed at various festivals and international events. | |
| 6. Attained the status of a high-grade radio artist at a young age. | |
| 7. Has sung as a playback singer for Bollywood movies. | |
| 8. Active in environmental causes and received recognition for contributions. | |
| 9. Regularly performs live concerts nationally and internationally. | |
| 10. Was stopped from singing a song on Doordarshan in 2005 due to lyrical content. | |
| 11. Ganda bandh student of Padma Vibhushan Vidushi Girija Devi of Banaras Gharana. | |
| 12. Sings in dialects like Awadhi, Bundelkhandi, and Bhojpuri. | |
| 13. Served as brand ambassador for Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and Lok Sabha 2019 elections. | |
| 14. Grew up in a family of doctors in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh. | |
| 15. Pursued folk music despite classical training after realizing audiences responded more emotionally to her folk renditions. | |
| 16. Has spent four decades establishing her identity as the Folk Queen of India. | |
| 17. Presents in Thumri and Kajri styles[5]. |