Interesting facts about ‘Thumri Queen’

Girija Devi, the maestro and the queen of Thumri passed away last year. It was a great loss for the creative world. 8^th May was her 89^th birth anniversary. On this special occasion, we will enlighten you with few interesting facts about the “Thumri Queen”.

1. She was born in Varanasi in 1929; her father Ramdeo Rai was the first person to recognise her singing talent when she was singing wedding songs to her dolls.
2. She was only 9-years-old when she starred in the film ‘Yaad Rahe’.
3. She was not allowed to sing privately for the Nawabs by her husband, who was a businessperson.
4. She was little tomboyish in nature; which was noticed by her who encouraged her to learn horse riding.
5. She was a faculty member at the Benaras Hindu University in the 1990s.
6. She has won Padma Shri in 1972, Padma Bhushan in 1989 and Padma Bibhushan in 2016. In addition to these prestigious awards, she has won many more awards.