Shakuntala Devi

Shakuntala Devi hails from Samra as well in 1993. She was 19 when she was married. She wanted to learn music but the music was something which was never followed in her family. Plus, women singing, in those times, were usually frowned upon in the villages. After she married she learned singing from her husband. Rajinder also taught him to play kansi– cymbals. They had been singing for nearly 25 years together. Just like Rajinder’s parents, they perform at weddings, festivals, religious events, celebrations, etc. Rajinder lives with his family, which includes his mother, his wife, his two children and his brother’s family. His children are currently studying in school. Apart from performing music, the other source of income for the family is agriculture. Rajinder works on his land in Bharmour while his wife engages herself in household work. Since during the winter months it is hard to work in Bharmour due to snow, they have built a home in Mangla, another small village in Chamba, where they shift during winters.

• Chamba
• Himachal Pradesh