Mangala Kapoor was just 12 years old when her life changed forever.
An acid attack shattered her childhood, leaving her physically scarred and emotionally traumatised. For years, fear became her constant companion. She was afraid to step out of her home, unsure of how the world would look at her—or how she would survive in it.
Her parents feared the worst. Doctors were uncertain.
Her family prayed, hoping she would live.
When she did survive, her parents were simply grateful to God that their daughter was still alive.
Six Years, 37 Surgeries, and a Childhood Lost
Mangala Kapoor spent six long years in hospitals, undergoing 37 surgeries. Pain, isolation, and depression became part of her everyday life. Society did not make it easier, people taunted her, relatives distanced themselves, and whispers followed her wherever she went.
The same society that should have protected her instead mocked her suffering.
It could have ended there.
But it didn’t.
A Father’s Faith and the Power of Music
Mangala Kapoor’s father believed in one thing deeply that his daughter should be an independent woman. He told her something that would shape her life forever:
“Focus on your aim. Don’t think about what relatives or others are saying.”
To help her rebuild confidence and purpose, he enrolled her in a music school near their home. What began as learning soon became lifesaving.
Music saved Mangala Kapoor from drowning in depression.
It gave her a voice when words failed.
It became her rebellion against despair.
From Music Student to BHU Scholar
Her journey with music took her to Banaras Hindu University (BHU)—a place that would define her academic and professional life. She completed her:
- Graduation
- Post-graduation
- PhD in Music from BHU
Despite doubts, stigma, and constant emotional battles, she chose learning every single day.
She began teaching in 1989, and for three decades, she shaped minds and hearts as a professor at BHU, retiring in 2019.
“Kashi Ki Lata” and a Legacy in Indian Classical Music
Mangala Kapoor is not just a survivor or a professor—she is a custodian of culture.
- She has documented many rare raagas of Indian classical music
- She is lovingly known as “Kashi ki Lata” for her voice and contribution
- She used music as a tool for social change, not just performance
She said in an interview:
“I am now contributing towards the society that once mocked me and made my life miserable.”
Sirat: Telling Her Story to the World
Her memoir, Seerat, brings attention to both her struggles and her achievements—not for sympathy, but for truth. It documents a life that refused to be erased, a woman who chose purpose over bitterness.
National Recognition and Well-Deserved Honour
Mangala Kapoor’s extraordinary contribution to Indian classical music and her inspiring life journey have earned her national recognition. She has been honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri Award, acknowledging not only her excellence in music but also her resilience and social impact.
She has also received the Acharya Bharat Muni Award for her dedicated work in preserving and documenting rare raagas of Indian classical music. These honours stand as a testament to a life that transformed personal tragedy into cultural and social contribution, celebrating her unwavering commitment to art, education, and society.
Why Mangala Kapoor Is an Inspiration to Every Woman
Mangala Kapoor’s life teaches us that trauma does not cancel talent and scars do not define a person’s worth. Her journey shows how education and art can rebuild even the most shattered lives, and how the belief of a supportive parent can completely change a woman’s destiny.
She stands as living proof that even when society inflicts pain, a woman can still rise above it and give back with purpose. Mangala Kapoor is not just the Woman of the Week; she is a powerful reminder that survival can transform into strength.
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