About
Dr. Minu Bakshi, born 8 July 1955 in New Delhi, is a ghazal singer, Urdu poet, linguist and philanthropist. Trained in Hindustani classical music from a young age under Ustad Ghulam Hussain Khan and Ustad Marghoob Hussain Khan of the Rampur tradition, she was drawn to ghazal by the artistry of Begum Akhtar, whose concerts she followed devotedly. She is also a longtime professor of Spanish at JNU and an interpreter for the Government of India.
Bakshi's discography spans ghazal, Punjabi folk, pop and Sufi music, from the acclaimed wedding-song albums Lao Mehndiyan to the Sufi and shabad collections she has recorded. She is equally known as an Urdu poet, with several published collections including Tishnagi, Mauj-e-Saraab and the 2025 volume Baarish-e-Rehmat, released during Jahan-e-Khusrau's 25th-anniversary celebrations, and recites at mushairas such as Jashn-e-Rekhta. She was honoured by Spain with the Order of Isabella la Catolica.
The artistry
Bakshi sings with an exquisitely trained, soulful voice across ghazal, Punjabi folk, Sufi and devotional shabad, bringing a poet's feel for the meaning of the words. As a writer she composes many of her own lyrics and ghazals.
Bakshi offers a host a ghazal or Sufi evening, a Punjabi-folk set, or a poetry recitation, with the added depth of a published Urdu poet. Well suited to Urdu-heritage and cultural programmes. [Atlas Assessment]
A singer-poet who bridges ghazal, Punjabi folk and Urdu literature, and a patron of underprivileged women and children through her work.