Vidya Rao

Vidya Rao is an Indian Hindustani classical singer and writer. She is popular for her Thumri and Dadra. She wrote a book on the late Naina Devi, Heart to Heart: Remembering Nainaji. Her daughter Aditi Rao Hydari is an actress.

Early life
Vidya Rao was born in Wanaparthy and grew up in Hyderabad. She did her graduation from Madras and later joined the Delhi School of Economics to do M.A. in Sociology.

Career
She worked with Centre for Women's Development Studies as a researcher for five years before quitting to concentrate on music.

She renders poetry of mystics like, Amir Khusro, Kabir etc.

She was set to make her acting debut through Mani Ratnam's Raavanan (2010) as the mother of Aishwarya Rai's character. However, her scenes were cut from the film's final version.

Personal life
She was married to Ehsaan Hydari. They have a daughter, Tollywood and Bollywood actress, Aditi Rao Hydari.