Girija Devi

Girija Devi (8 May 1929 – 24 October 2017) was an Indian, Hindustani classical music singer, of the Seniya and Banaras gharanas (northern Indian style). She performed classical and light classical music and helped elevate the profile of thumri (semi-classical Indian music) . Devi was born in Varanasi, on 8 May 1929, to Ramdeo Rai, a zamindar (landowner). Her father played the harmonium and taught music, and had Devi take lessons in singing khyal and tappa from vocalist and sarangi player Sarju Prasad Misra starting at the age of five.