‘Quite Timely Just before US Election Day’: Mary Millben Shares New Song for Diwali on X –

Renowned African-American singer and actor Mary Millben shared a new song from her X handle for Diwali. The Oklahoman is often described as America’s “National Anthem Singer” across the United States and the world. Millben has performed the national anthem and patriotic music for four consecutive US Presidents — George W Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden — besides international royalty and world leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his US state visit.

“As November approaches, I’m excited to share a new song for the Diwali observance, the Festival of Lights, celebrated on Friday, November 1st, 2024. Diwali, deriving from the Sanskrit word ‘deepavali,’ which means “row of lights,” serves as a beacon of light every year. The holiday celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Quite timely just before the U.S. election day,” she wrote on X.

Millben gained attention in India during Modi’s state visit to the US. She made headlines as she touched the prime minister’s feet and sang the Indian national anthem, “Jana Gana Mana”.

Mary Millben made her maiden trip to India in August 2022. She was one of the invitees from the United States to grace a grand celebration of India’s 75 years of Independence. In the grim year of the Covid pandemic of 2020, she virtually performed India’s national anthem and later that year she also gave a virtual rendition of the hymn “Om Jai Jagdish Hare” on Diwali.