Barthwal’s father was a vocalist who also played the sitar. She worked as a music teacher at a college for several years after graduation. She spent her free time in Nazibabad composing for All India Radio. She became an outspoken advocate of Uttarakhand’s folk music, hosting the radio show “Dharohar,” which was dedicated to the region’s heritage and folk music. She is claimed to be knowledgeable about every musical instrument used in Uttarakhand. She has assisted in the recording of music by various musicians.
Among the many hundreds of students she has taught, she has motivated several to pursue careers as professional musicians. She has also performed with Narendra Singh Negi, another famous Garhwali singer.
Barthwal’s work was recognised with the Nari Shakti Puraskar, which was presented by Ram Nath Kovind, the President of India in recognition of the sixty years she had dedicated to music, broadcasting and teaching. The citation noted that she had “devoted her life” to the preservation of music.
The award ceremony was held at the President’s palace, Rashtrapati Bhavan, on International Women’s Day in 2019 in New Delhi. About forty women received the award that day and three of the awards were given to groups. The Minister of Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi was there and afterwards the awardees met the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a conversation with a news agency, Barthwal said, “Today when I came to know that I am being awarded Padma Shri, I was very happy. I felt that my penance for so many years was successful and finally got its fruits”
She said that music has that power which binds the entire human race in the thread of unity. She said that neither caste nor religion is seen on the stage of music. Barthwal, who has done research on the topic of raga-ragini in Garhwali songs, said that she will continue to work in this sphere until her last breath.
