Junagadh

Popular folk singer and Padma award winner Diwaliben Bhil passed away today in Junagadh. Diwaliben had given her voice to various Gujarati film songs, folk songs and Garba. Born in tribal family in Gir jungle, Diwaliben married at the age of 9. She came to Junagadh at the age of 20. Once when she was signing Garba in Vanzari chowk area of Junagadh when Akashwani team was present there. Her song was recorded by Shri Hemu Gadhvi there itself. Next day she was invited to sing in Akashwani. Diwaliben recorded her first song, ‘Ful utarya fulwadi ae re lol’. Later she went to Delhi to sing and won first prize. When she went to perform at Dayro programme in Mumbai, she was offered to sing film song by Kalyanji Anandji. The government of India honored her with Padma Shri award in 1991.

– DeshGujarat