Siddheshwari Devi

Siddheshwari Devi (8 August 1908 – 18 March 1977) was a Hindustani classical vocalist associated with the Banaras Gharana. Born in Benares, she trained under Pandit Siyaji Maharaj and later under Rajab Ali Khan and Inayat Khan, with Bade Ramdas as her principal guru.

She is particularly known for her work in thumri, along with performances in khayal and semi-classical forms such as dadra, kajri, chaiti, hori, and bhajan. Her musical approach reflected the Banaras style, emphasizing expressive delivery and nuanced voice modulation.

She performed extensively in concert settings and was regarded as one of the leading thumri exponents of the 20th century. Her repertoire and style have remained influential in the continuation of the Banaras tradition.

She was awarded the Padma Shri (1966) and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for her contributions to Indian classical music.