Gurmeet Bawa

Her ability to hold a 'hek' — singing a verse in one breath — for 45 seconds was unmatched, earning her the title 'Lambi hek di malika' among folk music circles.

In 1989, she performed at the Jashan-E-Azadi festival in Tripoli, Libya, representing Indian culture at a major international event during a time when such exchanges were rare.

Despite losing her mother at age two and societal restrictions on girls’ education in 1940s Punjab, she became the first woman from her village to qualify as a teacher.

Gurmeet Bawa transformed Punjabi folk music by bringing traditional instruments like the alghoza, chimta, and dhol into popular consciousness, influencing artists like Pammi Bai. Her pioneering appearance on Doordarshan opened doors for Punjabi female folk singers on national television, while her international performances introduced global audiences to authentic Punjabi culture. The Padma Bhushan awarded to her posthumously in 2022 underscored her role in preserving and elevating folk heritage in modern India.