Folk Singer's 400 Songs Bring Uttarakhand to the World

A childhood spent listening to her father hum traditional melodies has led Manju Nautiyal from village performances to stages shared with India's biggest rappers.

The folk singer from Tikri village in Uttarakhand's Tehri Garhwal district has spent years preserving Pahari music, recording more than 400 songs in her regional language. Her distinctive high-pitched vocals, once heard only at local weddings and events, now soundtrack millions of social media transformation videos through rapper Badshah's hit "Delhi Se Manali."

Nautiyal began her professional music career in 2018, though she'd been singing since childhood. Growing up with relatives who were musicians, she performed at school events and local Ram Lila stages before deciding to focus on traditional Pahari songs.

The early years weren't easy. As a woman from the hills trying to establish herself professionally, Nautiyal faced numerous challenges but continued building her catalog of regional music.

Her breakthrough came in 2022 with "Suretu Mama," followed by "Kamar Peeda" in 2023. The latter held special significance because it was based on a folk tune her father used to hum at home. She gave the traditional song her own musical interpretation, and its success helped her reach audiences beyond Uttarakhand.

Collaborations with Himachali singer Siraji on tracks like "Ladka Tera Deewana" eventually caught Badshah's attention. The rapper wanted to create a remix featuring Nautiyal's vocals, leading to "Delhi Se Manali," which has introduced Pahari music to listeners across India.

The Ripple Effect

Nautiyal's rise is doing more than building one singer's career. It's bringing visibility to an entire regional music tradition that rarely reaches mainstream audiences.

She performs in traditional Pahadi Ghaghra Kurti and jewelry, treating these not as costumes but as connections to her cultural roots. "I always carry my culture and traditions with me," she says, actively promoting Uttarakhand's heritage through her music and appearance.

When Badshah invited her to perform at a live concert in Haryana, the scale stunned her. Standing before thousands alongside one of India's biggest music stars was "an unforgettable moment" for someone who started singing at village gatherings.

Beyond music, Nautiyal sees her journey as proof that women from small towns can pursue their passions successfully. She notes that today's generation is more capable and believes that developing interests and working consistently helps women build confidence and independence.

Her nickname, the "DJ Queen of Uttarakhand," reflects how she's modernized traditional music while keeping its essence intact. Mountain imagery and regional sounds now reach listeners who might never have encountered Pahari culture otherwise.

From a village in the hills to millions of phones worldwide, Nautiyal's voice carries her heritage forward one song at a time.