Kumaoni folk singer Kabutari Devi dies

Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand): Famous Kumaoni folk singer Kabutari Devi today passed away at a hospital here following a cardiac arrest.

She was 70, the members of her family said.

The eminent musician had been living with her daughters after the death of her husband Diwani Ram.

Devi, whose songs depicted the struggles in the life of Pahari women, shot to fame after her maiden performance at All India Radio, Lucknow in the 1980s.

“Though my mother had received her education in music from her father, it was my father who recognised her talent and took her to the radio stations to perform,” said the veteran’s daughter, Hemanti Devi, who was with the singer at the time of her death.

The folk singer has received several honours, which includes the Ministry of Culture, Government of Uttarakhand for her outstanding contribution which echoed the sound of Kumaon hills.

Devi is remembered by folk historians as an original voice that represented the culture of the hills. 

“Her songs were original not only in words but also in terms of the musical instruments used and the nature of depiction. 

“In her death, we have lost a representative voice of the hill culture especially of societies established in the eastern part of Kumaon,” folk historian PD Pant said.