Bhanwari Devi

Bhanwari Devi is a traditional folk singer from Rajasthan. In this new age, the community is full of stories, stories of bravery, stories in this new society of women breaking from the pigeonholed rules. Bhanwari Devi belongs to the Bhopa-Bhopi community of Bundelkhand.

Her shy yet lively persona does not recall her exact age but (looks nearly middle-aged about 50) and is a mother of nine. She is a mother of six boys and three girls all of them married and have their kids. The folk singer has her roots at Motisar Bada, Choru near Sikar dist. Of Rajasthan.

The singer is known to appear with a scarf concealing her face. The symbol of feminine shyness is nothing but a mere impression. Because under that odhni (scarf) is a strong woman whose firm hands hold the mic with unrelenting confidence.

She has a power packed voice that resounds in the hoary piazza of the Mehrangarh Fort in the city of Jodhpur. This is all about a show in at the Mehrangarh Fort of Bhanwari Devi along with Rehna Mirza in the Maand-More style of singing.

Rehna Mirza is also known as the queen of the Kotha-Rajwadi tradition of Maand of Jodhpur Rajasthan International Folk Festival (JRIFF). Maand is a kind of royalty song that is sung in the name of kings and royalties praising their bravery at the wars.

It is also sung as a song commemorating their absence. Rekha, one of the fellow singers who joined the two in the performance tells how fulfilling it is to perform with them. She tells that the reasons for her to team up with Bhanwari Devi and Rehana Mirza Rehana Mirza is a talented  Hindi director. She ha >> Read More... are their innocent zeal and frankness towards their trade.

It is this very point that touches the heart of each and every person who collaborates with them. Bhanwari Devi used to sing and perform all her songs along with her husband. However, with her Bhopa passing away 10 years ago, she started performing solo. The scene of a Bhopi performing alone was unseen for in her community.

Somehow, the lady with her melodious yet strong voice overcame all odds and made her own mark in the industry. One of her most celebrated songs is Kattey. It was one of those songs that audiences went gaga on for a long time (probably still are). The Angry Indian Goddess as we know of is one of the paradigms for women empowerment.

In the incredibly male-dominated arena, she is a very authoritative performer of the Kabir Poetry. The Kabir Poetry are the poems of the 15th century Indian Poet Kabir. The verses talk about the various aspects of life and a loving devotion towards God. One of her other chartbuster in the Indian song industry is the song she did in collaboration with Ram Sampath Ram Sampath is an Indian music producer and compos >> Read More... .