Siddheshwari Devi Biography: Siddheswari Devi (1908–March 18, 1977) was a legendary Hindustani vocalist from Varanasi, India, known as Maa (mother). Born in 1908, she lost her parents at a young age and was raised by her renowned singer relative Rajeshwari Devi.
Siddheshwari Devi Biography
Early Years
Despite growing up in a musical family, Siddheswari fell into music by chance. Rajeshwari had arranged for her own daughter, Kamleshwari, to receive musical training, while Siddheswari performed light housework. Once, Kamleshwari was unable to repeat the tappa that the renowned sarangi player Siyaji Mishra was instructing her. Rajeshwari lost patience and began caning Kamleshwari, who shouted out for assistance.
Her only ally was her close friend Siddheswari, who rushed from the kitchen to embrace her cousin and took the beating upon herself. Siddheswari told her sobbing cousin, “It’s not that difficult to sing what Siyaji Maharaj was telling you.” Siddheswari then demonstrated how to sing it, astounding everyone with her flawless rendition of the entire tune.
Siddheshwari Devi Musical Career
She also studied with Rajab Ali Khan of Dewas and Inayat Khan of Lahore, but she regarded Bade Ramdas as her primary guru.
She sang khyal, thumri (her speciality), and brief classical forms including dadra, chaiti, kajra, etc. On numerous occasions, she sang and performed throughout the night, such as during the Maharaja of Darbhanga’s nocturnal boating expeditions.
M. S. Subbulakshmi, a Carnatic singer, acquired bhajan singing from Siddheshwari Devi in order to expand her repertoire to include the occasional Hindi bhajan, especially for her concerts before larger audiences in India. In 1989, renowned director Mani Kaul made a documentary about her life entitled Siddheshwari that won an award.
She received numerous honours throughout her career, including:
Padma Shri by the Indian government in 1966
Kolkata’s Ravindra Bharati Vishwavidyalaya awarded him a D.Litt. in 1973.
Deshikottam diploma conferred by Vishwa Bharati Vishwavidyalaya.
She passed away on March 18, 1977, in New Delhi. Savita Devi, her daughter, is also a musician and resides in Delhi.
Awards and incentives
Siddheshwari Devi received the following awards and distinctions during her lifetime:
- 1966 Padmashree Award from the Government of India
- Literary Arts Council (Uttar Pradesh) Awards
- Sangeet Natak Academy Award
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Central Award
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Siddheshwari Devi Death
Paralysis was inflicted on Siddeshwari Devi on 26 June 1976, and they transformed into Brahmalin on the morning of 17 March 1977. Savita Devi, his daughter, is also an accomplished singer. In remembrance of his mother, he founded the Siddheshwari Devi Academy of Music. Consequently, he honours senior music enthusiasts by organising concerts annually.
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