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Who is Manju Nautiyal? Pahadi housewife behind viral ‘Mari Murga Shikar’ song

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The artist, recognized locally as the "DJ Queen of Uttarakhand," began recording music professionally in 2018 despite initial barriers faced as a woman from the hills. She has accumulated a catalog of over 400 recordings, gaining early solo traction with regional hits like "Suretu Mama" and "Kamar Peeda." Her collaborative project with Himachali artist Siraji eventually prompted rapper Badshah to remake the track into a viral hit. The national attention culminated in an invitation for her to perform alongside Badshah at a live concert in Haryana.

Key points

  • Regional folk traditions are achieving mainstream commercial reach through high-profile c…: Regional folk traditions are achieving mainstream commercial reach through high-profile collaborations with national artists.
  • Nautiyal established a deep local following through community performances before securin…: Nautiyal established a deep local following through community performances before securing broader recognition.
  • Viral social media trends continue to serve as major discovery mechanisms for regional In…: Viral social media trends continue to serve as major discovery mechanisms for regional Indian musicians.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

A song can travel across mountains, states and languages before the voice behind it becomes familiar to the wider world. For Manju Nautiyal, a folk singer from Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal district, that journey has taken an unexpected turn. Her distinctive, high-pitched Pahari vocals, heard prominently in rapper Badshah’s

Delhi Se Manali (Ladka Tera Deewana), have become a popular soundtrack for social media Reels, with users turning to the song for their transformation videos.

For Nautiyal, however, the journey began much before Bollywood came calling. In her home state, her songs had already found an audience at weddings and local events, earning her the nickname ‘DJ Queen of Uttarakhand’. The success of

Delhi Se Manali has now brought her voice to listeners far beyond the hills, introducing a wider audience to the musical traditions she has carried through her career.

From village performances to 400 songs

Nautiyal hails from Tikri village in the Jaunpur block of Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. Singing entered her life early, through relatives who were involved in music and the performances she took part in during her school…

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