Juthika Roy is a famous bhajan singer.

She started singing at an early age. She has sung many songs for music directors including her first mentor Kazi Nazrul Islam (whom she called Kazi Da) and the great bengali music director Kamal Dasgupta. It is said that Kamal Das Gupta and Kumari Juthika Roy recorded a naat in the late 1930s that impressed Gupta so much that he embraced Islam. Her singing was liked by many including Mahatma Gandhi. She has sung for many Bengali & Hindi movies also but she is most popularly known for her Meera Bhajans. She is now over 85 years old and lives in her Shyampukur Street, Kolkata house with her sisters.


Some Juthika Roy songs

* meri prem ki naiya (sung for Kamal Dasgupta)
* darshan bina prabhuji
* ghunghat ka pat khol
* kanhaiya pe tan man
* pag ghungharu bandh meera nachi
* tore angse ang milake kanhaii
* tulsi mira sur kabir
* badal dekh rahi
* bolre madhuban mein
* chupke chupke bol maina
* Roti Ankhiyan
* aakash tale jab deep
* aankhin mein mathura
* Anjaan nagar anjaan dagar
* Maine Chakrar rakhi ji
* Main Ram nam ki churiyan pahenu
* Main to wari jaun Ram
* Meri Veena Ro Rahi Hai
* Mat ja jogi mat ja
* Pag gunghat bandh Meera nachire


Awards

* 1972: Padma Shri

Juthika Roy is a legendary bhajan singer with a very sweet voice. She started singing at the age of seven and recorded her first Hindi bhajan at the age of 12. Her first album was recorded with the guidance of her mentor Kazi Nazrul Islam whom she called Kazi Da. She sang many songs for the great music director Kamal Dasgupta. She went on to sing in Bengali & Hindi movies also but she is best known for her Meera Bhajans. She was awarded the Padmashree in 1972.


References

* Ali, Ghafar (July 21, 2003). "NWFP govt’s ban fails to dissuade music enthusiast. Old municipal worker shows off 14,000 rare Indian and Pakistani music pieces". The Daily Times (Pakistan). http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_21-7-2003_pg7_42. Retrieved 2008-10-13.
* [1] has more details and provides some of her songs for download.
* [2] has a nice 2006 article by Juthika Roy narrating her meeting with Mahatma Gandhi.


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