Mohammad Farhan Israeli/Jaipur

Padma Shri awardee Begum Batool filled the cool Paris air with Ganesh Vandana and quintessential Rajasthani welcome number Padharo Mahre des re..” in Maand style – traditional folk music – and soon she would be perfoming in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and Germany.

Her troupe 'Basant' is currently in Paris as part of its 3-month Europe tour, the first one after she was presented the Padma Shri award for her contribnution in preserving and promoting traditional Indian music.

Begum Batool’s performance was during the largest festival of Holi in Europe, which is organised by the Global Indian Organisation (GIO) and the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris. Indian ambassador to Paris, Sanjeev Singh, inaugurated it.

Begum Batool with Indian Ambassador Sanjeev Singh and other in Paris

Begum Batool performed in the Grand Hall of Paris, filled with spectators and music lovers, and appreciated the cultural richness of India.

Begum Batool started her presentation with Ganesh Vandana, which filled the entire atmosphere with spiritual energy. It was followed by the immortal composition of Mand style 'Kesariya Balam, Padharo Mhare Desh' in her velvety voice.

The audience gave her a standing ovation.

Her troupe 'Basant' includes musicians Manwar, Farhan, Robin, Rameez, Loomnath and Sahil.

Indian Embassy in Paris posted pictures of the Holi festival on X:

🎉Holi in Paris

📌Vibrant celebration of the Indian festival of colours “Holi” @Jardindacclim organized by @GIOFranceParis @LVMH @MA_Jamet

📌The celebration was attended by around 20,000 people.

📌Ambassador Sanjeev Singla in his remarks reflected that the… pic.twitter.com/IeYMBTfQLu

— India in France (@IndiaembFrance) May 18, 2025

Begum Batool also performed bhajans of Shri Ram and Salasar Balaji, in which the accompaniment of Anwar Hussain on harmonium and Sahil Bagda on tabla created a devotional atmosphere. This confluence of folk and devotion became a symbol of the presence of the Indian soul on the soil of France.

On her maiden European tour, Begum Batool is expected to present Indian folk music and bhajans in France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and Germany.

This tour has become a messenger of not only music but also of India's diversity and spirituality.

Born in Kerap village of Nagaur, Rajashthan, Begum Batool has no formal training in music. She has given international recognition to Mand singing. So far, she has performed in more than 25 countries, the most prominent of which are Australia, Belgium, Monaco, and Tunisia.

On this occasion, a special reception was organized in honour of Begum Batool at the Paris residence of Lalit Bhandari, President of Jain International Trade Organization (JITO) France, and Praveena Bhandari.

Rajasthan Association France President Anwar Hussain and Dr. Rekha Bhandari were also present. Begum Batool also gave a melodious presentation of Ram Bhajans here, which moved all the guests.

Begum Batool is the recipient of several awards, including the Nari Shakti Award, the Rajasthan Gaurav Samman, the France Senate Bharat Gaurav Samman, and Australia Parliament Cultural Honor and GOPIO Achievers Award.

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She has been the main presenter of the Paris Holi Festival every year since 2017, in which more than 35,000 spectators participate. At 70, she sings flawlessly with devotion to prove how humans evolve through sadhna - an Indian philosophical concept - and can transcend boundaries of religion and caste.