Falguni Pathak: Lost or Hidden from the Spotlight?
To the icon who’s name is almost synonymous to Navratri, the one star you think of when you say Dandiyaa – this is a love letter and and also a reflection on why, for some, her presence feels quieter today.
Almost every 90’s kid was mesmerized by Falguni Pathak, lovingly known as the Dandiya Queen, she rose to stardom in the late with chartbusters like “Maine Payal Hai Chhankai” and “Yaad Piya Ki Aane Lagi.”. Her music videos, drenched in the pop aesthetics of that era, made her a household name across India.
Fast forward to today, when Bollywood has evolved dramatically, Falguni’s presence feels quieter, leaving fans wondering: where is she now?
Still Owning the Stage
Despite the perception of absence, Falguni has never really stopped performing. Every year, she headlines Navratri events in Mumbai and Gujarat, often drawing thousands of attendees. Her concerts remain some of the most in-demand of the festive season, with tickets selling out weeks in advance. Here’s some snippets from her 2024 Navratri Utsav, just look at her captivating the audience with her melodies which can never get old.
No To Bollywood
While most artists would jump at any chance of working with Bollywood, Pathak has long kept her distance from the industry. It’s not like she ever needed Bollywood for her fame, she has built her massive fan following through her melodies about love, instantly attracting the attention of the younger generation. Her focus has always been producing independant music, and staying miles away from the politics and drama of Bollywood.
While she has lent her voice to some Bollywood stars a handful amount of times, in 2022, she made headlines when Himesh Reshammiya and Neha Kakkar’s recreation of “Yaad Piya Ki Aane Lagi” sparked debate, and Falguni herself voiced her displeasure at the remix culture that often sidelines original artists.
Beyond the Mainstream
Part of the reason she feels “out of the spotlight” is her deliberate distance from social media and the publicity circuits that dominate today’s music industry. In order to break through the tension surface and rise to fame today, you have to be at your best social media game, we’re talking reels, publicity stunts and what not.
But Phathak is not like the others, she has religiously stuck to her traditional performance roots and while her fan base may not trend on Twitter, it shows up in person, and those massive crowds at Navratri garba grounds are proof.
A Legacy Intact
It’s also important to remember her cultural impact. Falguni brought Gujarati folk rhythms to the Indian pop mainstream, making Garba and Dandiya not just regional traditions, but national celebrations. Her music continues to be a staple at weddings, festivals, and nostalgia-filled playlists.
Lost or Just Selective?
So, is Falguni Pathak really “lost”? Not quite.
She’s still performing, still beloved, and still the queen of Dandiya and Garba. The difference is visibility. In a world where fame is measured by Instagram followers and Spotify streams, her low media profile makes her seem hidden. But on the ground, where the music plays loudest, she’s exactly where she’s always been: center stage during the nine nights of Navratri.
Phattak is set to perform at Jio World Convention Centre, one of India’s largest and most modern indoor venues, with a capacity exceeding 10,000 starting from Monday September 22 to October 1, 2025 for her long awaited Navrati performance. And there is one thing that everyone can count on: when Phattak is on the stage, it is going to be the most electric Navraati ever.
