Kalpana

Kalpana Patowary is an Indian folk and playback singer from Assam, widely recognized for her significant contribution to Bhojpuri music and regional folk traditions. Often referred to as the “Bhojpuri Queen,” she has built a reputation for bringing Bhojpuri folk music to wider national and international audiences. With a powerful and versatile voice, she performs across multiple genres, including Bhojpuri folk, Assamese music, Hindustani classical, ghazal, and contemporary fusion.

Born in Sorbhog in Assam’s Barpeta district, Kalpana Patowary began performing publicly at the age of four under the guidance of her father, folk musician Bipin Nath Patowary. She received formal training in Hindustani classical music and earned the Sangeet Visharad qualification from Bhatkhande Music Institute University in Lucknow. Over the course of her career, she has sung in more than 30 languages, including Bhojpuri, Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, and English, and has worked extensively to preserve and revive traditional folk forms such as Purvi, Kajri, Sohar, and Birha.

In addition to her work in folk music, Kalpana Patowary has contributed to film music across several Indian languages. Her notable Bollywood playback songs include “Gandi Baat” from R... Rajkumar, “Aila Re Aila” from Khatta Meetha, and “Uncha Lamba Kad” from Welcome. She has also produced thematic musical projects such as The Legacy of Bhikhari Thakur and has performed internationally as part of cultural tours organized by the Government of India. In recognition of her contributions to music and culture, she was awarded the Bihar Kala Samman for 2023–24 by the Government of Bihar.