Always remain thankful for what you have and receive, I always follow this mantra,” said the renowned folk singer Malini Awasthi.
Malini was featured in the latest episode of Baaton Baaton Mein, the Instagram talk show. A talk series ‘Baaton Baaton Mein’ is being held every day on Instagram. Hosted by renowned art critic Sunil Mishr, the series is being held for the art lovers.
Malini shared her life struggles and stories of the musical journey during the talk. She said, “It is always been wonderful to play different roles as a woman. I have always tried to maintain the balance between the responsibilities of a housewife and a singer.” She shared the fun stories of her musical journey across the country.
She said that today people have Facebook live and Instagram live, but in olden times the folk and classical music had a different aura.
Malini is highly acclaimed for her gaayaki and her powerful performances. Singing the various forms of folk music from Benaras and Awadh like the Dadra, Sohar, Banna, Jhoola, Kajri, Holi, Chaiti, Vivaah, Dhobiya, Nirgun, is her forte. She has showcased these different forms of folk music in her own way.
Some of these forms, which are almost dying forms when sung on the stage, mesmerized the viewers and took the nation by a storm. A disciple of the Thumri proponent Padma Vibhushan Girija Devi, today Malini is one of the leading Thumri singers of the Benaras Gharana. Malini is recognized for her distinctive style of singing which is a beautiful combination of soulful renditions of melodies together with her powerful performances. Equally accomplished in Ghazal and Sufi gaayki, Malini reminds you of the old world charm of the beautiful Lucknow and the Ganga-Jamuni culture of Uttar Pradesh.