Namaskar,
Upadhyay ji aur Mehta ji Dhanyavad.
Kapotri Devi was not the only female singer of Akashvani. There were so many. If you have heard 'O Paruwa Baujyu, Chapal kya lya-rachha yash', 'Chhana-Bilauri jhan diya baujyu', 'Baat lagi baryaat chyeli, baith doli ma', etc. you would remember another great kumauni singer Veena Tiwari. There are many more whom we people have almost forgotten.
A long time back, I visited Maasi-Chaukhutiya and Soni areas where I heard an old gentleman by the name Pratap Singh, who though remained unheard of, who was a wonderful singer. Then there was one Nandan Singh Mehra, a school teacher and resident of Village Pinakot-Daunthiya, Talla Salt, Distt. Almora (if I remember exactly), who was an accomplished singer and great poet. These two gentlemen were auditioned artists of All India Radio (AIR) Almora.
There were, and still are, folk singers unknown to the outside world because they never got the chance to sing for Radio. There was another lady singer Basanti Devi in the Sult area who was a great folk singer.
During my recent visit (this week itself), I chanced upon meeting some young singers who sang beautiful songs in their lilting voices. I felt elated and had tears in my eyes because I know these young children would never get a chance to be on Radio.
Namaskar