Thakur was born in Benipatti, Madhubani district, Bihar to a Maithil musician and music teacher working in Delhi Ramesh Thakur and Bharti Thakur.[4] She is named after goddess Sita as well as her mothertongue. Maithili, along with her two brothers, Rishav and Ayachi were trained by their grandfather and father in Maithili Folk, Hindustani classical music, Harmonium and Tabla. Realising his daughter's potential around the age of 6, her father relocated themselves to Dwarka in New Delhi for better opportunities.[5] She began learning music from her grandfather when she was only 4 years old. Maithili's first music master is her grandfather.[6] At the age of 10, she started singing at jagrans and other musical functions.[7]
Music career
In 2011, Thakur appeared in Little Champs, a singing competition television series telecast in Zee TV.[citation needed] Four years later, she contested in Indian Idol Junior, telecast in Sony TV.[5] She won the "I Genius Young Singing Star" competition in 2016, following which she launched her album, Ya Rabba (Universal Music).[8]
Rising Stars
In 2017, Thakur was a contestant in the season 1 of Rising Star, a television singing competition. Maithili was the first finalist of the show, singing Om Namah Shivaya which gained her direct entry into the final.[9] She was runner up, losing out by just two votes.[10] Following the show, her internet popularity rose significantly.[5]
2019 onwards
After a huge success from videos on Facebook and YouTube the trio has been performing at various National and International Events, Literature Fests. Maithili has been awarded Atal Mithila Samman by the Government of India. In 2019 Maithili and her two brothers, Rishav and Ayachi, were made the brand ambassadors of Madhubani by the Election Commission.[3][11] Rishav is on the tabla and Ayachi is a singer and performs often on percussion as well.[3] She was awarded LokmatSur Jytosna National Music Award 2021 by the Information & broadcast Minister Anurag Thakur.[12][13]
Manaspath
Maithili Thakur on her YouTube channel along with her two younger brother Rishav and Ayachi sings famous Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas. This Manaspath gives a huge success to Maithali as well as to her brothers. Currently they are on 302nd episode and couplet (doha) no. 236 of Ayodhya kanda as of 07 April 2024.[14]
Promotion of Madhubani art
Maithili Thakur has played an instrumental role in promoting Madhubani art, a traditional folk art form rooted in the Mithila region of Bihar, India.[15] She creatively weaves elements of this vibrant art into her musical journey, often incorporating its themes and motifs into her performances. Through this fusion, she not only enriches her artistic expression but also brings Madhubani art to a wider audience.[15] Leveraging platforms like YouTube and Instagram, Maithili shares content that highlights the history, techniques, and cultural importance of Madhubani painting. Her engaging posts, which often include visuals and stories about the art form, help educate her followers and spark interest in this unique cultural tradition worldwide.[15]
As a leading voice in Indian folk music, Maithili Thakur embodies the cultural depth of the Mithila region. By integrating traditional songs and themes inspired by Madhubani art into her repertoire, she actively preserves and promotes her heritage.[15] She also participates in exhibitions, fairs, and cultural festivals dedicated to traditional Indian art, helping spotlight Madhubani painting and inspiring others to appreciate and support it. Through her artistic contributions and public outreach, Maithili Thakur has played a vital role in keeping Madhubani art vibrant and relevant, ensuring its legacy continues to thrive among new audiences both in India and around the world.[15]
Maithili Thakur has received several awards and recognitions throughout her career.
National Creators Award: Maithili Thakur was awarded the Cultural Ambassador of the Year Award by the Prime Minister of India at the inaugural National Creators Award on 8 March 2024.[19]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
