Allah Jilai Bai

Allah Jilai Bai (1 February 1902[1] – 3 November 1992)[1] was a folk singer from Rajasthan, India.[1]

Allah Jilai Bai on a 2003 stamp of India

Born in Bikaner to a family of singers,[1] by the age of 10 she was singing in the Durbar of Maharaja Ganga Singh.[1] She took singing lessons from Ustad Hussain Baksh Khan and later on from Achhan Maharaj.[1] In spite of her position and popularity she was firmly rooted and a humble artist.

She was well versed in Maand, Thumri, Khayal and Dadra.[1] Perhaps her best-known piece is Kesaria Balam.[1] In 1982, the Indian Government awarded her the Padma Shri in Arts field,[2][1] one of the highest civilian awards. She has been also awarded by Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1988 for Folk Music