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Maithili Thakur, one of India’s most loved folk singers, has once again found herself in the headlines. Reports suggest that she might soon enter politics by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and contesting from Alinagar in Darbhanga. The singer has confirmed that if offered a party ticket, she would gladly accept the opportunity. Her meetings with BJP leaders such as Vinod Tawde and Nityanand Rai have fuelled speculation about her political debut. 

Born on 25th July 2000 in Madhubani, Bihar, Maithili Thakur is 25 years old. Her family later moved to Najafgarh, Delhi, where they faced financial struggles due to her father’s unemployment. Her father, Ramesh Thakur, is not only her mentor but also her music teacher, while her mother, Pooja Thakur, is a homemaker. Maithili grew up with her two brothers, Rishabh and Ayachi, who often perform with her. Coming from a family of musicians, Maithili’s passion for music was encouraged from a young age. She received her musical training from both her father and grandfather, specialising in Indian classical and Maithili folk music.

 
 
 
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Education And Musical Beginnings

Due to family circumstances and her dedication to music, Maithili was homeschooled until the 5th grade. She later joined an MCD school at the age of 12–13 and earned a scholarship to Bal Bhavan International School for her musical excellence. Her road to fame was not easy. She faced several rejections from reality shows such as Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs and Indian Idol Junior. However, her determination paid off when she became the first runner-up on the reality show Rising Star in 2017, while she was still in school.

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Meanwhile, social media played a huge role in Maithili’s journey. Understanding its reach, she started uploading videos of her performances on Facebook and YouTube, where her soulful voice and deep understanding of folk traditions quickly gained her millions of followers. Today, she is not only a singer but also a popular digital creator and global performer. Her success has brought her significant financial rewards too. Reports claim that Maithili earns several lakhs per month from live shows and online platforms, charging around Rs 5–7 lakh per performance. Her net worth is said to be in crores.

 
 
 
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Bollywood Connection And Career Choices

Despite her immense popularity, Maithili has largely stayed away from Bollywood. After the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, she announced that she would not sing for Hindi films as a mark of protest against the industry’s practices. However, she did lend her voice to one Bollywood song ‘Kisi Roz’ from the 2024 film Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha. The song was composed by Oscar-winning music director M.M. Keeravani, and featured actors Ajay Devgn, Tabu, and Jimmy Shergill. Interestingly, Keeravani also recorded his own version of the same song.

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Recognition And Honours

In 2021, Maithili received the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from the Sangeet Natak Akademi for her contribution to Bihar’s folk music. The Election Commission of India also honoured her as the State Icon of Bihar, recognising her as a cultural ambassador of her home state.