Understood the gravity of National Award after winning: Monali Thakur

The 30-year-old singer says that she never realised the importance of National Award until she won it for singing Moh Moh Ke Dhaage (Dum Laga Ke Haisha)

For Monali Thakur, who won the National Award for Best Female Playback Singer, winning it was “always going to be more special than winning other awards,” but her family’s reaction after she won it made her realise the real importance of it.

Singer Monali Thakur says that she never realised the importance of National Award before winning it for singing Moh Moh Ke Dhaage (Dum Laga Ke Haisha)

“I always knew, winning a National Award is extra special, because the government recognises your talent. But, the reaction from people made me realise its gravity and value. It all still feels surreal,” she says.

“It’s not like I don’t think that other award ceremonies don’t mean anything, or that I don’t take them seriously. I care for other awards as well. But winning a National Award is a rare thing. That’s why it is so special,” she adds.

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Monali won the award for Moh Moh Ke Dhaage (Dum Laga Ke Haisha) says she never expected the song to be this popular. “We knew that it was a nice, romantic, melodious song. But for a slow track to become this popular in a commercial setup was totally unexpected,” she says.

The 30-year-old singer also shares that her mother’s reaction after knowing that she has won the prestigious award was the best compliment she received. “She started crying,” Monali shares as she recalls, “After I had won the award, the number of calls and texts I got from my fans and family, congratulating me was a big surprise. I was so overwhelmed. But my mother’s reaction as the news flashed will be a memory that I will never ever forget. It was so special.”