Kumaoni folk singer Kabutari Devi, 70, took her last breath in the district hospital Pithoragarh on Saturday morning, her family said.
A native of Kwitad village of Pithoragarh, she died of cardiac arrest. She was admitted to the hospital on Thursday night on complains of breathlessness.
One of the eminent Kumaoni folk singers of Uttarakhand, she was felicitated by the President of India for her prowess. Besides, she received several acclaims in the state.
“Though my mother was never trained in music, it was my father, who supported her,” said her daughter Hemanti Devi, who was with the singer at the time of her death.
She said her father took Kabutari Devi to All India Radio station and thereafter, she did several programmes and performed live. “She excelled in traditional folk songs based on the life in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand,” Hemanti added.
She used to sing while grazing cattle in the mountains. Her husband Diwani Ram was instrumental in making her a legend.
He took her to Najibabad station of All India Radio where she used to sing songs for the radio audiences. Her husband died in 1980 and since then she was living with her daughters.
The eminent folk singer, who sang the songs of struggle and fatigue of hill women as well as common man, was described as ”true reflection of Pahar” by historians.
{{/usCountry}}The eminent folk singer, who sang the songs of struggle and fatigue of hill women as well as common man, was described as ”true reflection of Pahar” by historians.
{{/usCountry}}“Not only her songs were original, but the lyrical depiction of nature and life in Kumaon was real. There was pain and happiness in her voice. The exposure of Kumaon folk will get a setback after her demise,” said PD Pant, a traditional folk historian of Pithoragarh.
Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has expressed heartfelt condolence at the demise of Kabutari Devi. “Her contribution in the folk songs of Uttarakhand is incredible,” he said.
“She was an expert singer of the seasonal songs of Uttarakhand. Pahado Ko Thando Pani, Ki Bhali Mithi Vaani….song is still connected with the minds of the common people of Uttarakhand,” he added. (With inputs from PTI)