Think of folk music, there's an undisputed queen who has ruled the industry for as long as we can remember. Falguni Pathak has come synonymous with regional music and Garba.

Falguni Pathak, also known as the 'Queen of Garba', celebrates her 55th birthday on March 12. On this occasion, we'll take a look at the time the 90s singer proudly talked about receiving her first paycheck and her stance on avoiding mainstream Bollywood music.

Falguni Reminisces about her first paycheck

In an interview some time ago, Falguni looked back fondly at the time when she was just nine years old. Falguni had started singing at a very young age, and did her first stage show at nine years of age.

She recalled that she'd performed on the third ship of Indian Navy's Nilgiri class stealth guided missile frigates named INS Udaygiri. She remembers that it was on the auspicious day of the Indian Independence Day that she performed in front of a crowd for the first time.

Her performance that day earned her a prize of 25, which increased over the years. Today, it is predicted that Falguni Pathak earns over 2 crore by performing for nine days during the Navratri festival.

Falguni Pathak opens up on her stance against Bollywood

Falguni Pathak was a well-known figure in the 90s, and her songs were a staple at parties, weddings, and family functions. The copies of her albums 'Yaad Piya Ki Aane Lagi' and 'Maine Payal Hai Chhankai' were found in most homes.

Despite her fame, Falguni never joined the Bollywood industry or pursued playback singing. While many artists, such as Shaan or KK, released albums before entering Bollywood, Falguni Pathak refused offers to record playback music.

When asked about this decision, she stated, 'I never took Bollywood seriously. I got offers, but when you enter Bollywood, you have to work twice as hard. I'm happy just doing my show and album.'

Falguni also revealed her reserved personality and preference for avoiding chaos. She stated, 'This is my nature. I do shows throughout the year, but I'm not that media savvy. I've always been like that.'

Also Read: Falguni Pathak On Neha Kakkar Remaking Maine Payal Hain Chankayi 'I Wish I Could Take Legal Action'

Falguni prioritizes providing her fans with the best experience and avoids engaging in stressful competition. Further, she plans to continue performing live shows in the future.

When asked if her stance against Bollywood affects her popularity, she responded, 'Since I started, I never thought of competition. I give it my best, and I only focus on the fact that the audience should get their money's worth. Over the years, I have seen people's responses growing. Normally, you would expect that the interest levels will dip, but it has been the opposite when it comes to my performances.'

Radio City wishes the Garba Queen Falguni Pathak a very happy birthday!