Maithili Thakur

Maithili Thakur
Born	25 July 2000 Madhubani, Bihar, India
Nationality	Indian
Education	Trained in Hindustani classical and Maithili folk music
Occupation	Playback singer, Folk artist, Politician
Years active	11 January 2014–present
Known for	Indian folk music, Rising Star finalist, Ramcharitmanas digital recital, BJP MLA from Alinagar
Parents	Ramesh Thakur (father), Bharti Thakur (mother)
Spouse
Instagram	Instagram
Website

Maithili Thakur (born 25 July 2000) is an Indian politician, playback singer, stage performer, and digital folk-music ambassador, widely recognised for her work in Indian classical, semi-classical, devotional, and traditional folk genres. Trained in the Maithili gharana and deeply influenced by the rich folk heritage of the Mithila region, she has built an extensive repertoire that includes songs in Hindi, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Awadhi, Magahi, and several other regional Indic languages. Over the years, she has emerged as one of the most prominent young voices representing India’s folk traditions at a national and global level.

Her rise to public attention began through televised music reality shows, after which she built a large digital presence on platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. She is especially known for reviving forgotten folk traditions and devotional compositions through modern digital storytelling and collaborative performances with her brothers.

In 2025, Thakur made headlines for entering active politics. Contesting the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election as a candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the Alinagar constituency, she won a decisive victory and became the youngest MLA in the Bihar Assembly, marking a significant shift in her public career from performing arts to public service.

Early Life

Maithili Thakur was born in Madhubani, Bihar, a district renowned for its centuries-old cultural lineage, particularly its music, literature, and the world-famous Madhubani painting tradition. She was born into a musically gifted Maithil Brahmin family. Her father, Ramesh Thakur, is a respected Maithili musician and music teacher based in Delhi, and her mother, Bharti Thakur, hails from a family with deep cultural and traditional roots. Thakur’s name reflects her cultural identity, drawn from Goddess Sita (Maithili) and the Maithili language, representing a symbolic tribute to her heritage.

Growing up, Maithili was surrounded by classical ragas, folk melodies, and devotional chanting. Her grandfather, a revered musician in the local Maithili community, was her first guru and introduced her to Hindustani classical music when she was just four years old. Alongside her siblings, Rishav and Ayachi, she underwent intensive training in classical vocals, Maithili folk music, harmonium, and percussion instruments such as tabla.

Recognizing her remarkable musical intuition and vocal range from a young age, her father made the pivotal decision to move the family to Dwarka, New Delhi, to provide greater access to professional training, stage exposure, and competitive platforms. This transition proved instrumental in shaping her early musical development.

By the age of ten, Maithili was already performing at jagrans, community gatherings, temple events, and local concerts. These early-stage performances helped her build confidence, control, and a distinctive sense of rhythm—skills that would later define her career on television and digital platforms.

Music Career

Maithili’s professional musical journey took flight in 2011, when she appeared on Zee TV’s Little Champs, marking her first national television appearance. Although she was still very young, her classical grounding and stage presence set her apart, earning her praise from judges and audiences alike.

In 2015, she participated in Indian Idol Junior (Sony TV), which broadened her visibility across India. Her performances during the show showcased her ability to blend classical training with contemporary melodies.

Breakthrough and Reality Show Success

The pivotal breakthrough in her career arrived with Rising Star (Season 1) in 2017, a live reality singing competition. Her powerful rendition of “Om Namah Shivaya” earned her a direct entry into the finale, making her the first finalist of the season. She eventually finished as the runner-up by a margin of just two votes—one of the closest results in Indian reality television history.

This appearance dramatically boosted her fanbase and positioned her as a strong representative of India’s classical-folk talent on mainstream media.

Digital Presence and Musical Projects

After her success on television, Maithili, along with her brothers, embraced digital media and began posting regular music videos on Facebook and YouTube. Their unique format—traditional folk songs presented with classical precision and minimalistic instrumentation—gained massive popularity. Videos featuring the trio often went viral, attracting millions of views and earning praise from cultural institutions, political leaders, and the global diaspora.

The trio functions as a cohesive unit:

• Rishav Thakur plays tabla and percussion

• Ayachi Thakur serves as co-vocalist and percussionist

• Maithili leads vocals and harmonium

Together, they have performed at numerous national and international events, cultural festivals, devotional gatherings, and government-led initiatives promoting Indian heritage.

Awards and Recognitions

Maithili has been the recipient of several notable honors, including:

• Atal Mithila Samman – awarded by the Government of India for her contribution to promoting Maithili music

• Lokmat Sur Jyotsna National Music Award (2021) – presented by Union Minister Anurag Thakur

• Appointment as Brand Ambassadors of Madhubani district in 2019 by the Election Commission of India

Ramcharitmanas Recital Series

One of her most influential digital projects is the daily Ramcharitmanas recital, where she and her brothers sing dohas and chaupais from Tulsidas’ epic. The project has become immensely popular due to its spiritual depth and musical authenticity. As of 7 April 2024, the series had reached episode 302, covering Doha 236 of Ayodhya Kanda, making it one of the longest-running devotional music series on YouTube in India.

Promotion of Madhubani Art

In addition to her musical contributions, Maithili Thakur has emerged as an important cultural ambassador for Madhubani (Mithila) art, a traditional painting style characterized by intricate geometrical patterns, natural dyes, and depictions of Hindu deities and regional folklore.

Through her performances, digital content, and collaborations, she often highlights the motifs of Mithila culture. Her music videos frequently feature Madhubani-inspired visuals, costumes, and themes. She uses her social media platforms—especially Instagram and YouTube—to share stories about the art form, its history, its techniques, and its cultural relevance.

She also participates in cultural festivals, art exhibitions, and community initiatives dedicated to preserving traditional Indian crafts. Her advocacy has increased curiosity and engagement among younger audiences, helping revive interest in Madhubani art at a global level.

Thakur’s influence extends beyond aesthetics—she actively encourages artisans, collaborates with local creators, and uses her platform to highlight the skills of Mithila women who have preserved this art form for generations.

Political Career

In 2025, widespread media speculation began around Maithili Thakur’s potential entry into politics. Her meetings with key Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including Vinod Tawde and Union Minister Nityanand Rai, intensified public curiosity regarding her possible candidature from Madhubani district.

On 14 October 2025, Thakur formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Recognizing her influence among youth, women, and cultural communities, the party fielded her as the candidate from the Alinagar Assembly constituency for the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election.

She secured a decisive victory, winning by a margin of 11,730 votes, and became the youngest MLA in Bihar. Her entry into politics was widely considered a significant moment where a young folk artist transitioned from cultural advocacy to legislative responsibility. Thakur’s political journey reflects her growing involvement in public issues, regional development, and community upliftment, with particular emphasis on women’s empowerment, rural education, and cultural preservation.

Awards and recognition

• National Creators Award (2024): Maithili Thakur was honoured with the Cultural Ambassador of the Year Award by the Prime Minister of India at the inaugural National Creators Award on 8 March 2024.
• NHRCCB India Pride Award (2022): She received the India Pride Award from the National Human Rights and Crime Control Bureau on 30 July 2022.

External links

• Maithili Thakur on IMDb
• Maithili Thakur on Instagram

References

• “Maithili Thakur Enters BJP Before the Bihar Elections..” Brut Times. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
• “Maithili Thakur to Contest Bihar Elections: Folk Singer’s Journey, Educational Background and Net Worth.” The Economic Times. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
• “Meet Maithili Thakur, India’s Teenage Folk Singing Star.” South China Morning Post (SCMP). Retrieved 15 November 2025.
• “Maithili Thakur: Folk Singer Turned Politician, Youngest MLA from Alinagar.” The Hindu. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
• “Singer Maithili Thakur Joins BJP Ahead of Bihar Election.” Hindustan Times. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
• “Maithili Thakur Secures Debut Win from Alinagar, Becomes Youngest MLA in Bihar.” ANI News . Retrieved 15 November 2025.