Who is Manju Nautiyal? Pahadi housewife behind viral ‘Mari Murga Shikar’ song

Photo: Facebook/Manju NautiyalA song can travel across mountains, states and languages before the voice behind it becomes familiar to the wider world. For Manju Nautiyal, a folk singer from Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal district, that journey has taken an unexpected turn. Her distinctive, high-pitched Pahari vocals, heard prominently in rapper Badshah’s Delhi Se Manali (Ladka Tera Deewana), have become a popular soundtrack for social media Reels, with users turning to the song for their transformation videos.For Nautiyal, however, the journey began much before Bollywood came calling. In her home state, her songs had already found an audience at weddings and local events, earning her the nickname ‘DJ Queen of Uttarakhand’. The success of Delhi Se Manali has now brought her voice to listeners far beyond the hills, introducing a wider audience to the musical traditions she has carried through her career.From village performances to 400 songsNautiyal hails from Tikri village in the Jaunpur block of Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. Singing entered her life early, through relatives who were involved in music and the performances she took part in during her school years.“My early musical inspiration came from my home. Some relatives were singers, so I developed a passion for singing since childhood. I officially started singing Pahari songs in 2018. Before this, I used to sing in school and on Ram Lila stages,” Nautiyal said in an interview with ETV Bharat.Photo: Facebook/Manju NautiyalWhat began as a childhood interest gradually became a professional pursuit. Nautiyal recalled facing several struggles in the early stages of her career, particularly as a woman from the hills trying to establish herself as a singer. Yet she continued to record music, building a catalogue that now includes more than 400 songs, according to her interview.“Being a woman from the hills, she faced a lot of struggles in the beginning,” the report noted, before quoting Nautiyal on the milestones that followed. “My first hit was Suretu Mama in 2022. A year later, Kamar Peeda became a hit, and I began to get noticed outside the state,” said Nautiyal.The success of these songs helped her reach audiences beyond Uttarakhand. But it was her association with Himachali singer Siraji, followed by the attention her music received from Badshah, that brought her to a much wider platform.How a childhood folk tune became a turning pointOne of the important songs in Nautiyal’s career was Kamar Peeda. Its roots lay in her childhood, when she would hear her father hum the traditional folk song at home. Years later, she revisited it with her own musical interpretation.Rather than simply reproducing the version she had grown up hearing, Nautiyal gave the song a new treatment. Its reception helped her gain recognition and paved the way for further collaborations.She subsequently worked with Siraji on Swami Pardesh and Ladka Tera Deewana. The latter received a strong response, eventually drawing Badshah’s attention and leading to the version that would bring Nautiyal to a national audience.The success of Delhi Se Manali is significant not just for the singer but also for the visibility it has given Pahari music. The song’s mountain imagery and regional sounds have become part of its appeal, while Nautiyal’s vocals stand out amid the track’s contemporary rap influences.For the singer, working with Badshah was an experience she had not anticipated when she began her musical journey.The Badshah moment she will not forgetManju Nautiyal with Singer-Rapper Badshah. Photo: InstagramNautiyal says she was grateful to Badshah for bringing the culture of the hill states to a larger audience. She described the opportunity to sing alongside him as a great honour.The collaboration also led to an invitation to share the stage with the rapper at a live concert in Haryana. The scale of the event took time to sink in, she recalled.When speaking about how the collaboration came about, she explained that she and Siraji had already received a positive response for Ladka Tera Deewana. During the shoot for its video in Uttarakhand, she learnt that Badshah wanted to rap in a remake of the song.“It was an unforgettable moment,” she said, adding, “I was also invited to Himachal to shoot with Badshah, but since I had a prior shooting schedule, I couldn't attend. So Badshah invited me to the live concert in Haryana.”Recalling the concert experience, Nautiyal said that she initially struggled to take in the fact that she was performing alongside the rapper before such a large crowd.The association has given her music a new reach, but the singer’s own account suggests that the journey was built on years of performing, recording and finding ways to bring regional songs to listeners.Why she continues to wear her Pahadi identityPhoto: Facebook/Manju NautiyalNautiyal’s identity as a Pahari singer is reflected not only in her music but also in the traditional attire she wears. Her Pahadi Ghaghra Kurti and traditional jewellery have become recognisable elements of her public appearances.For her, these are more than stage costumes. They are a way to remain connected to the culture that shaped her music and upbringing.“I always carry my culture and traditions with me. I like this dress the best. I enjoy wearing traditional clothes and jewellery, and try to promote Uttarakhand's culture,” the singer said.As her music reaches listeners outside her home state, this connection to her roots has become an important part of her public image. Her journey also highlights the role regional artists can play in bringing local musical traditions into mainstream popular culture without leaving their cultural identity behind.Nautiyal’s journey has not been without challenges. She encountered difficulties at the beginning of her career and the changes she has seen among younger women in Uttarakhand, particularly in education and their ability to pursue independent paths.In her view, developing an interest and working consistently towards it can help women build confidence and independence. “Today's generation is much more capable. If only we develop a passion for something, we can become independent.”Today, the popularity of Delhi Se Manali has introduced Nautiyal to a new generation of listeners. Yet the foundation of that recognition remains the Pahari music she has been singing since 2018 - music rooted in the sounds, stories and traditions of the place she calls home.