Who is Maithili Thakur: The 25-year-old singer turning Alinagar into a national headline and possibly Bihar’s youngest MLA

Folk singer Maithili Thakur leads in Alinagar, emerging as Bihar’s youngest MLA contender. Here’s her journey from music stages to the political spotlight.

Maithili Thakur didn’t step into the Bihar election as a politician. She walked in as someone people already knew, the voice they played at festivals, the young woman they watched grow up on YouTube, the folk singer who carried Mithila’s sound to living rooms across the world. That familiar identity is exactly what has turned her into the surprise story of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.

At just 25, she’s opened a strong lead in Alinagar, positioning herself to become the youngest MLA in the state. And what makes her rise even more striking is that she joined the BJP barely weeks ago, with no political history, no cadre base, and no traditional machinery behind her.

Who is Maithili Thakur?

Born on 25 July 2000 in Benipatti, Madhubani, Maithili Thakur is best known as a singer who popularised Maithili and Bhojpuri folk music among a global online audience. Before politics, she was a widely admired cultural figure, celebrated for her classical training and her grounded public image.

Her decision to join the BJP a month before elections was framed as a desire to 'serve Bihar.' Shortly after her nomination, she said she would dedicate herself to whatever responsibility the party assigns. Her campaign reflected that tone, modest, people-oriented, and centred on local demands rather than confrontation.

This is her first election.

Early life and education

She was homeschooled until Class 5.
She later studied in an MCD school in Delhi after her family moved from Madhubani to Dwarka.
Recognising her musical talent, she received a music scholarship to Bal Bhavan International School.
She went on to study at Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, Delhi University, which ranked seventh in the 2025 NIRF list.

Her upbringing was steeped in music. Her father, Ramesh Thakur, a trained musician and teacher, coached her and her brothers, Rishav and Ayachi, from an early age. She learned classical music from both her father and grandfather.

Musical journey and public recognition

Thakur’s music career did not begin with instant success. She auditioned for several singing reality shows, including Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs and Indian Idol Junior, without making it to the final rounds. Her breakthrough arrived in 2017, when she finished as first runner-up on Rising Star India.

Her digital presence grew rapidly after this. Long-form folk renditions posted on YouTube and Facebook helped her build a dedicated following. Her repertoire, Maithili folk, Bhojpuri songs, devotional music and classical pieces, resonated with audiences in India and abroad.

By her early twenties, she was performing internationally and had become one of the most recognisable young folk artists in the country.

In 2021, she received the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, one of the nation’s important recognitions for young artists. The Election Commission of India later appointed her the State Icon of Bihar, acknowledging her cultural influence.

Assets and financial background

According to her 2025 election affidavit, Thakur’s assets amount to around Rs 4 crore, accumulated largely from her music career, concerts, and digital work. Her net worth puts her among the more financially secure first-time candidates in this election cycle.

Her political presence in Alinagar

Her campaign stood out for its simplicity. While RJD’s Binod Mishra emphasised employment, welfare schemes, and his long-standing grassroots links, Thakur leaned on her connect with young voters, women, and local families familiar with her music.

She also made a promise that grabbed attention: if elected, she would push to rename Alinagar to Sitanagar. She reiterated this on polling day in a conversation with India Today.

Speaking to ANI today, she said: “This is like a dream. People have many expectations from me. I will serve my constituency as their daughter. Right now, my focus is only on Alinagar and the work ahead.”

Why her candidacy resonates

Thakur represents a combination rarely seen in Bihar politics: cultural identity, youth representation, and digital visibility.
Her entry taps into:

the growing influence of regional culture
a desire for younger legislators
the rising role of public personalities in electoral politics

For many voters in Mithilanchal, she embodies local pride and a familiar face who has carried the region’s folk traditions to national platforms.

Five quick facts about Maithili Thakur

Age: 25
Profession: Folk and classical singer
Constituency: Alinagar (Darbhanga district)
Educational path: Homeschooled → MCD School → Bal Bhavan International School → Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College
Known for: Reviving Maithili/Bhojpuri folk music, Rising Star India runner-up, strong online following, State Icon of Bihar