Soni Niyazi

A 41-year-old artist from Lucknow, Soni Niyazi, has been learning music through Chaita, Kajri, and various other traditional art forms of Uttar Pradesh. At the young age of 12, he began to play the Banjo taking inspiration from his father, who also used to play the Banjo and was a coveted folk musician in his circle. He has been working hard towards achieving mastery in his craft and pursues it with tremendous passion. He considers his father, Syed Mujeeb, as his guru and speaks very highly of their teachings and calibre in the field of music. Most of his songs are thus made to be in a similar style. He also specializes in Qawali and Bhajan music. Soni thinks that he has his father, who had a natural desire for mastering the art of music. When he was a child, he tried imitating his father and thus picked up the Banjo and never stopped learning. He also knows how to Harmonium apart from Banjo and has performed all over the country. He has pulled off brilliant performances in several cities and internationally in South Africa, which is also his most memorable experience. He has also represented the local art forms in the middle east and port of Spain. aHe lives in a family of 8 people and has three daughters to raise as well as educate. Despite all his responsibilities and struggles, he strives to keep developing his craft and dreams. He wishes to create an impact in the lives of the folk music community and someday, in the future, wants to succeed through the art that he loves so much.

• Awadh
• Uttar Pradesh