Padmashree Malini Awasthi

Padmashree Malini Awasthi, born in Kannauj, is a celebrated folk singer, academician, and cultural ambassador of India. A Gandabandh disciple of Padma Vibhushan Girija Devi, she is a leading exponent of the Purab Ang Gayaki of the Banaras Gharana. Currently serving as Chair Professor for Folklore at Banaras Hindu University and India’s representative to UNESCO's cultural commission, she is dedicated to preserving India’s intangible cultural heritage. A Sangeet Natak Academy awardee, Malini has performed globally and documented various traditional music forms like Thumri, Dadra, Kajri, and Chaiti. Founder of the non-profit "Sonchiraiya," she supports rural and tribal artists and continues to inspire with her contributions to Indian folk music and culture.