Deepak Singh

Deepak Singh is just 22 years old but has the experience of a veteran professional in classical and folk music. He has learnt Hindustani Classical Music from various teachers, but he considers his mother, Shanti Devi, his first and foremost guru. Shanti Devi was not a professional singer or even a trained one, but her pious devotion with which she sang bhajans at home left a lasting impression on Deepak at an early age. He started learning singing at age five and would perform in his school and on other occasions around the village he grew up in, Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh.

He started training in Classical Music at the age of 12 and believes that it is the foundation of all Indian music. To be creative and present folk music in a format that is more accessible to the present generation, it is important to be well-versed in the underlying theory and techniques of Classical Music. Despite his bright prospects in the Classical Music scene of Lucknow, he has chosen to dedicate his primary attention to folk music, especially reviving folk songs that are now nearly extinct.

In addition to the songs of the Mirasens, he sings bhajans and other Lok geet of the Awadh region. He comes from a joint family and strongly associates with his roots in his village, which he holds important for his credibility as a folk singer. Folk music derives from life experiences, and he is grateful to have seen life in the villages first-hand and understood the emotions underlying the folk songs. He has received appreciation and felicitations at many government-sponsored events and has even sung on TV and radio.

• Purvanchal
• Uttar Pradesh