When Urmila Srivastava lost both her parents as a young girl, life could have easily silenced her. Instead, it handed her a melody — one shaped by love, loss, resilience, and an unshakable devotion to music. As she raised her younger brothers and continued her schooling against all odds, it was the soul of Eastern Uttar Pradesh — its Kajri and folk songs — that gave her strength and purpose.

Over the next five decades, Urmila Ji became a beloved voice on All India Radio and Doordarshan, a guiding force for thousands of music students, and a cultural ambassador who carried India's folk heritage from the heartlands of Mirzapur to global stages in Bhutan, Mauritius, and beyond.

Nicknamed the "Kajri Samragyi" — the Queen of Kajri — her songs tell the stories of rural India: of monsoons and memories, joy and longing, and the quiet dignity of everyday life.

In this episode, we trace the remarkable journey of a woman who didn’t just sing folk music — she lived it.

About Padma Pride

Padma Pride is an inspiring audio series by The Good Sight and Rise Against Hunger India, celebrating Padma Awardees and their extraordinary impact. Every Sunday, webring you the story of a changemaker shaping India’s future. (Narration: Shalini Singh, The Good Sight).

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