Kamala Shankar


Vidushi Dr. Kamala Shankar a renowned first lady Indian Classical Slide Guitar musician has enthralled the world through her immaculate and melodious rendition of Hindustani Classical music. Kamala has the credit to invent the Shankar Slide Guitar. She is known for her tremendous control and versatility along with the depth on her instrument. She has an exceptional and natural ability to play the ‘Gayaki Ang’ style.Her music is popularly referred as singing guitar.
Shankar is the first slide guitarist to receive the National Award in Music " Rashtriya Kumar Gandharva Samman" in 2013 by the Government of Madhya Pradesh.

Early years

Kamala Shankar was born in Tanjore and brought up in Varanasi. At the age of 4 she was initiated into vocal music by her mother and was put under the able guidance of Guru Pt. Amarnath Mishra of Varanasi and learnt Hindustani classical vocal for 8 years. The most momentous discovery was the Hawaiian slide guitar. Her initial training of Guitar started with Dr. Shivnath Bhattacharya and was given valuable guidance by Guru Padmabhushan Pt. Chhannulal Mishra of Varanasi. She has not only learnt classical but also the Poorab Ang like Thumri, Kajari, Dadra, Chaiti with Rabindra Sangeet and Bhajan. Later on she was under the able guidance of Pt. Bimalendu Mukherjee for few years. A Researcher,She holds Doctorate for her work on the styles & techniques of slide guitar which she completed under Dr. Gopal Shankar Mishra from Faculty of Performing Arts Banaras Hindu University.
Besides music she holds a bachelor's degree in Zoology. She got admitted to Master's and selected in Dental science also but could not join because of her passion for music which was her obvious first choice.

Performing career

She has performed at several prestigious music festivals of India such as Tansen Samaroh, Sawai Gandharva samaroh Pune, Kalidas Samaroh, Taj Mahotsav, Music Academy chennai, Bihar Mahotsav Patna, Ganga Mahotsav, Soorya Festival Keral, Harvallabh Sangeet Samaroh Jalandhar, Sankat Mochan Samaroh Varanasi, ICCR, Shimla Mahotsav, Simhasth Kumbh Ujjain, Hornbill Festival Kohima Nagaland etc.
She has also performed in International festivals such as Trafo Music Festival Budapest Hungary & Visited various countries like, U.S.A., London, Switzerland, Gulf of Dubai, Al-Sharjah, Bahrain, Muscat, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, France, Singapore etc.
She has been awarded the Junior & Senior fellowship in the field of music by the Ministry of Human Resources Development Govt. of India, "Surmani" from Sur Singar Samsad Mumbai, Kalashree Samman by Journalist association, and the most prestigious National Award “Rashtriya Kumar Gandharva Samman” 2009 conferred by M.P. Government.

Dr. Kamala has performed with musicians such as Hindustani Flautist Pt. Ronu Majumdar, Vidushi Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh,Ustad Fazal Qureshi,Violin Maestro Lalita Nandini etc. Dr Kamala has been empaneled with ICCR since 1994 and also regularly performing for Spic-Macay all over India since 1998. She is the founder Director of Shankara Arts Foundation based in Varanasi since 2007. Kamala conducts workshops & lecture demonstrations around the world. She is a Top graded Guitar Artist of A I R and has performed many National Programmes & Radio Sangeet Sammelan of Akashawani & Doordarshan. In 1992 Kamala represented India as a cultural representative of an exchange programme with Rotary International & visited Texas and London.
Kamala has the credit to innovate the standard Hawaiian guitar to Shankar Guitar. The most unique feature is that it has no sound hole unlike other guitars. It has four main strings and three chikari strings with eleven sympathetic strings. It has made up of a single piece of hollow wood and the wood is Cedar. The name of this instrument is dedicated to the deity of Varanasi Bhagwan Shankar.

Personal life

She resides in Varanasi with her father Dr.Rangaswamy Shankar, a renowned medical practitioner of Varanasi and mother Smt.Vijaya Shankar.

Students

Kamala Shankar has many students in the country and abroad.To name a few include Dr.Sanjay Verma and Nirmal Saini etc....

Discography