On November 29, 2025, folk singer Malini Awasthi talked about her new book. She shared stories of common women in folk songs. This news made headlines across India. People love her simple words. Malini Awasthi brings joy through her voice. She sings songs of villages and fields. Her music touches hearts. Today, we learn about her life.
Early Life
Malini Awasthi was born in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh. This town sits by the Ganges River. Her birth date is February 11, 1967. Some say October 15, 1966. She grew up in a home full of music. Her parents loved songs but did not sing. They played records of classical music. Malini heard them as a child. She has an elder brother and sister. The three kids listened together. Music filled their house. Young Malini felt the pull of tunes. She wanted to sing like the stars on records. Kannauj gave her first lessons in folk sounds. Rivers and farms shaped her voice.
Her childhood passed in simple ways. She walked village paths. She heard elders sing old songs. These tunes stayed in her mind. Malini did not go to big music schools at first. Home was her first guru. Parents saw her talent early. They let her dream big. Lucknow became her base later. There, she learned more. Folk music runs deep in Uttar Pradesh. Malini drank it like milk. Her voice grew strong and sweet.
Malini Awasthi Age, Height, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Husband, Family
Career
Malini began young with All India Radio. Akashvani called her an artist. She sang on radio waves. People in homes heard her. This was in the 1980s. She worked hard there. Soon, she got top grade from radio. Doordarshan gave her A grade too. Many think it was for folk. But no. It came for ghazals. She sang soft love songs well. Before marriage, she traveled for shows. ICCR approved her. She went to many places. Her voice spread far.
Then came her guru, Girija Devi. This queen of thumri taught her. Malini learned Purab Ang Gayaki. It is an old style from the east. Her songs got better. She mixed folk with classical. People clapped loud. Radio made her known. TV showed her face. She sang in Awadhi, Bhojpuri, and Bundelkhandi. These are village tongues of India. Her voice carried pain and joy of farmers. Songs like "Railiya Bairan" became hits. "Saiyan Mile Larkaiyan" made fans dance.
Malini did not stop there. She joined TV shows. Antakshari, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, and Lux Junoon. Viewers voted for her. She won hearts on screen. Folk songs came back to cities. Young people sang along. Her work saved old tunes. She made them new.
Personal Life
Malini married Avnish Awasthi. He is an IAS officer. Big job in government. They met and loved. Marriage came after her early fame. She balanced home and stage. They have a daughter, Dr. Ananya Awasthi. Ananya studies well. She makes parents proud. Family supports Malini's songs. Avnish travels with her sometimes. Home is in Lucknow. They live simple life. Malini cooks and sings at home. Her daughter hears mom practice. Family gives her strength.
Life changed after wedding. But music did not stop. She sang more. Husband helped her dream. Daughter grew with songs. Ananya knows folk tales. Malini teaches her too. Family shares stage joys. They face travel pains together. This bond keeps her going.
Popularity
Malini sings folk like no one. She calls herself Folk Queen. Songs tell village stories. Love, fights, rains, and crops. Her voice is clear and high. It dances like wind in fields. Awadhi songs sound sweet. Bhojpuri brings fire. Bundelkhandi feels rough and real. She does thumri and kajri too. These are soft classical forms. Ghazals flow from her lips. Sufi kalams touch soul.
Hit songs include "Railiya Bairan." Train leaves lover behind. Pain in every line. "Saiyan Mile Larkaiyan" shows playful fights. Couples laugh and cry. She sang in movies too. Issaq, My Big Fat Bride, Chaarfutiya Chhokare. Her voice fits drama. Live shows pack halls. Stages from Delhi to villages. She wears simple sarees. No big jewels. Just voice and heart.
Folk songs hold knowledge, she says. They teach tradition. Malini keeps them alive. Young singers copy her. She mixes old and new. Radio to YouTube. Her style pulls listeners close.
Awards
India gave her Padma Shri in 2016. Big award from government. For long service to music. Sahara Awadh Samman came in 2003. Yash Bharati from UP in 2006. Nari Gaurav in 2000. Kalidas Samman in 2014. Many more claps for her. She visits Jawaharlal Nehru University. Teaches media studies. Students learn from her life.
Awards show her hard work. From radio girl to national star. She thanks guru and fans. Honors make her sing more.
Recent Work
On November 29, 2025, she spoke of her book. "Chandan Ki Wah." It took 2.5 years to write. Book digs roots of folk songs. Stories of ordinary women. Farmers' wives, lovers, mothers. Their pain and power in tunes. Malini traveled villages. Heard tales from elders. Put them in pages. Book keeps folk alive in words. Fans wait to read.
She champions culture. In April 2025, she said folk is knowledge. In September 2024, TOI talk on music roots. Her voice fights lost tunes. New shows plan ahead. Book launch brings buzz. Malini teaches young ones. Workshops in schools. She says sing your land. Don't forget dialects. Her work builds bridges. City kids know villages.
Why Malini Matters
Malini Awasthi stands tall. She saves India's folk soul. From Kannauj girl to Padma winner. Her songs unite people. Simple words, deep feelings. On December 3, 2025, her fame grows. Book news spreads. Fans sing her tunes. She inspires girls to sing. No big start needed. Just heart and voice. Malini shows the path. Folk music lives through her. India thanks this queen.
Her life teaches us. Hold your roots tight. Sing loud. Share stories. Malini does it best. Her journey goes on. More songs, more books. We watch and listen.
