For millions of music lovers, her voice has been the soundtrack of love, joy and nostalgia. Now, one of India’s most beloved playback singers has received one of the country’s highest civilian honours.

Veteran singer Alka Yagnik was conferred the Padma Bhushan by President Droupadi Murmu during the second investiture ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 23. Before receiving the award, the singer touched Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s feet as a mark of respect, a gesture that drew attention during the ceremony.

Moments earlier, Malayalam superstar Mammootty had also been honoured with the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to Indian cinema.

A Surprise That Came Through Her Daughter

Back in March, when the Padma awards were announced, Alka Yagnik revealed that it was her daughter who first shared the news with her. Expressing gratitude, she said she was overwhelmed and thanked the Government of India for considering her for the prestigious honour.

For an artist whose voice has resonated across generations, the recognition marks another milestone in a career spanning more than four decades.

Triumph Amid Personal Challenges

The honour comes nearly two years after Alka Yagnik revealed that she had been diagnosed with a rare sensory neural nerve hearing loss caused by a viral attack. In a heartfelt social media post in 2024, she described the condition as a sudden and unexpected setback and sought prayers from her fans while adjusting to the challenge.

Yet, despite the personal struggle, her music continues to touch hearts. Her most recent work was “Naram Kaalja” from Imtiaz Ali’s Amar Singh Chamkila (2024), composed by AR Rahman.

Four Decades of Musical Magic

Trained in classical music, Alka Yagnik began singing at the age of four and went on to dominate Hindi playback singing for decades.

Her timeless hits such as Aaye Ho Meri Zindagi Mein, Tu Shayar Hai Main Teri Shayari, Gali Mein Aaj Chaand Nikla and Chori Chori Chupke Chupke remain favourites among listeners even today. Over the years, she has earned two National Film Awards and seven Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer, besides several other honours.

She also shares a remarkable record with legends Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle for recording the maximum number of female solo songs in Bollywood.

A Global Streaming Phenomenon

Even in the age of digital music, Alka Yagnik continues to reign supreme. She holds a place in the Guinness World Records for recording billions of streams on YouTube and remains one of the platform’s most-streamed music artists. Several films featuring her songs have also found a place in the BBC’s list of the “Top 40 Bollywood Soundtracks of All Time.”

From vinyl records and cassette tapes to streaming platforms, her voice has effortlessly transcended generations. And now, with the Padma Bhushan adorning her illustrious journey, Alka Yagnik’s golden legacy has received yet another standing ovation from the nation.