Dr. Menka Mishra, a Ghazal, Sufi, and Bhajan singer joined us for a short Q&A session. She shared a few insights into her musical journey with us. We asked her a bunch of questions. Here is what she replied.

1. Tell us a bit about your personal life and how did music become such an important part of your life?

My whole world revolved around music, since my childhood. I used to sing at various events like school programs, family functions, etc. as a hobby. Singing is something I enjoyed from my heart. My teachers and friends at school always encouraged and insisted I learn professional singing. Under the guidance of Late Pandit Kripa Shankar Tiwari Ji, I started learning music. He was the one who advised me to fill the form for Akashwani’s voice test. I have always tried to maintain a balance between music and my personal life. I got married to Shri Arvind Mishra after completing my bachelor’s in music. After marriage, I pursued MA in music. My husband has always supported me through thick and thin. It is true that I got a little busy with filial life after my marriage but still managed some time for my music. After 16 long years, when my children grew mature, I decided to pursue Ph.D. in music. My husband respected my decision and I got admission to the University of Allahabad.

• Who have been your gurus throughout your musical journey?

My music teacher at school Late Gayatri Tiwari Ji was the one who saw that spark in me. Seeing my talent and interest in music, she insisted I learn it professionally. As mentioned earlier, Late Pandit Kripa Shankar Tiwari Ji was the one under whose guidance I have learned smooth and classical music. Apart from him, Pandit Vidyadhar Mishra Ji glittered my musical learning.

• Tell us about your past projects?

In the past, I have worked with various music companies like Wave, Kv, Dc, Vijay Lakshmi, and T-Series. I have a special bond with T-Series. Most of my albums have been published under this banner. Jai Ganesh, Mohan Murli Bana Lena, Bansuri pe Kanha, Prem Deewani Meera, He Mahaveer Hanumat Namh, Ahsas, Sai Chalisa, Maiya ka Darbar Saja hai, Shubh Karini Vaishno Devi, Bhavani Aai Agne me, Pyar Hai Bepanah, and Piya Nirmohiya are a few of my albums that have been released under T-series. I have also worked with several Bollywood singers. Shaan, Udit Narayan, Jaspinder Narula, and Kumar Vishnu are some of them. I also run a show on a YouTube channel titled “Humari Vyatha” in which very sensitive topics are discussed. Mainly those topics which are not talked about in the society like rape, child labor, dowry, acid attack, etc.

• How has your television journey been? Give us a brief about it.

I started my career as an artist in Akashwani and Doordarshan. My hymns have been played on national devotional channels like Aastha, Satsang, Sankar, Doordarshan, etc. I have also judged a music show titled, “Folk Jalwa” that used to be broadcasted on ETV. Besides that, I have also performed on national channels like Zee TV, Sahara TV, ETV, etc.

• You have received a number of awards and titles. Can you tell us about some of them?

I feel honored to receive so many national and regional awards. I would like to say that hard work and determination is the only key to success. There is no shortcut in between. I have been awarded the “Top 50 Indian Icon Award” in the year 2017 for best performance new subject “Santana the Soul of Music”. I have also received various certificates of appreciation at “Rashtriya Ramayana Mela” (2017), “Rashtriya Khadi and Gramodyog Pradarsani” (2017), “Ekta Mahotsav” (1995), “Taj Mahotsav” (2017), “Kapilvastu Mahotsav” (2018). I have also been awarded the “Teerth Raj Kala Ratna” award in 2015, “Prayag Sangam Gaurav” in 2015, and many more.

• What are your upcoming projects?

Currently, I’m working on 3 projects that will be out very soon. First is “Saawre Piya”, which is a romantic song taken from “Thumri Ang”. It has been written, composed, and sung all by me. Second is the Sufi composition of a medieval poet Malukdas Ji. It has been composed with a new style of music and has been titled, “Almast Fakira”. The third one is a romantic Ghazal titled, Pyar Karun Tujhse. All these three projects will be released very soon for the audience.