Malti Pandey

A popular bhavageeth and admired playback singer from India,  Malati Pandey was born in Pune on 19 April 1930. Her father, Krishnarao Pandey, was a classical singer, and her mother, Tarabai Pandey, was a Kathak dancer. Born into a musical family, she had an affinity for music from childhood and began learning classical music at the age of five under the guidance of her father.

Having been trained by eminent figures of the Music Industry,  including Bhaskarro Ghodka, Trivedi Master, Vilayat Hussain, Vinayak Buwa Patwardhan, and Bholanath Ghat, she was invited to sing on All India Radio, Poona at the age of 15. She went on to do her PhD in Music from the University of Lucknow. In addition to her excellence in classical music, Pandey was also a proficient bhavageeth singer. Pandey's bhavgeets were known for their dynamic and expressive vocals. Bhavageeth is a form of  poetry and pop music that is popular in Maharashtra. 

Pandey also sang playback for films.She featured her songs  in Hindi classics like Seeta Swayamvar (1948), Maya Bazar (1949), Shrikrishna Satyabhama (1951), and Shri Vishnu Bhagwan (1951) as well as in some Marathi classics like Shree Janma Hi Tujhi Kahani (1952), Lakhachi Gosht (1952), and Vithalpai (1953). Her lullaby Kunihi pay naka vajavu was a favourite among children.

For her astounding contributions to the Indian Music Industry, Pandey was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in India, in 1973, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the highest award in the field of performing arts in India, in 1975. She lived in Pune with her husband, Pandit Padmakar Barve, and their two daughters until she passed away on 27 December 1997. Although she is no longer with us, people will always remember her as one of the most versatile and accomplished singers of her time.