Banihal, Jul 28: A warm and enthusiastic welcome was accorded to young folk singer Divya Bharti on her arrival in her hometown of Batote after she secured a place among the Top 10 finalists of the popular Punjabi singing reality show ‘Surtaj of Punjab’, bringing laurels to Jammu and Kashmir.
The 23-year-old singer, a resident of Champa village in Ramban district, is the only contestant from Jammu and Kashmir to qualify for the Top 10 of the prestigious competition. Her achievement has earned widespread appreciation for showcasing the region’s rich folk music and cultural heritage on a national platform.
Hundreds of local residents, social and political activists, police and civil administration officials, as well as music lovers, gathered on Tuesday at the hill station of Batote on the old highway to receive her and congratulate her on her remarkable achievement.
Coming from a lower middle-class family, Divya’s success is a story of perseverance, hard work and determination. She holds a Master of Arts in Music from Punjabi University, Patiala, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the Institute of Music & Fine Arts (IMFA). She is an approved Folk Artist of All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan and has won several prestigious music competitions, including the ‘Choona Hai Aasmaan’ State-Level Musical Talent Hunt and the Jammu and Kashmir Talent Hunt. She was also a finalist in Singing Star of Jammu and Kashmir.
Divya has performed alongside renowned singers, including Sadhna Sargam, Jyotica Tangri, Alap Sikander and Bir Singh, and is currently associated as a featured artist with the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) and the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department.
Speaking on the occasion, Divya said her passion for singing began in childhood. She credited her parents, her brother Gopal, and social activist Rashid Malik of Batote for their unwavering support throughout her musical journey.
“My parents allowed me to choose music as my career, while my brother Gopal sacrificed his job to support my education and accompany me during performances and competitions. My school, local satsangs and Batote itself were my first platforms, where I learned and gained confidence,” she said.
Divya’s parents, sisters, relatives and friends expressed immense happiness over her achievement, describing it as a proud moment for the family and the entire Ramban district.
Locals said Divya’s success has brought honour to Batote and Jammu and Kashmir and expressed hope that she would continue to scale greater heights while inspiring young artists across the region.
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