Traditional folk songs are an integral part of Indian culture. Malini Awasthi has beautifully managed to capture the essence of Indian Folklore and has been able to connect the urban audience to the traditional Indian roots through her music. She has been awarded the Padma Shri and is a recipient of several other awards and recognitions. Her special connection is with her home state Uttar Pradesh and she is completely in tune with the folklore and folk music of the state. In a conversation with Smita Prakash, she opens up about her life, her achievements and her path to reach the pinnacle of folk music in the country. She emphasises on the importance of being rooted in our culture and tradition and not being swept by Western cultures. In the podcast Ms Awasthi discusses gender discrimination and women empowerment.