Maad Kokila late. Smt. Allah Jilai Bai was born on 1-Feb, 1902. Music was a family heirloom. Her aunts were famous singers of their times. She began her musical voyage in guidance of Ustad Hussain Baksh Khan. She continued under able direction of Achhan Maharaj for some time. By the time she sang in Maharaj Ganga Singh Ji's durbar for the first time in 1912, she had become well versed in Khayal, Thumri, Dadra and Maad. Her style impressed his majesty so much so that she got the privilege of being the only singer to sing solo in the durbars.
But as fragrance can't be confined for long, her incaptivating voice soon found thousands of fans among masses. Her 'Kesaria Baalam' still allures music lovers across the world with an everlasting freshness.
She won many national and international accolades during her lifetime, the most noteworthy being 'Padma Shree', presented to her in 1972 by the President Dr. Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy and the Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 1988.
On the fateful day of Nov-03, 1992 she left for the heavenly abode but the magic of her mellow voice promises to live eternally.
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