Lakshmi Shankar | |
|---|---|
 Lakshmi Shankar singing in a concert | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Lakshmi Sastri (1926-06-16)16 June 1926 |
| Died | 30 December 2013(2013-12-30) (aged 87) Simi Valley, California, United States |
| Genres | Hindustani classical |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, dancer |
Lakshmi Shankar (néeSastri, 16 June 1926 – 30 December 2013) was an Indian singer and a notedHindustani classical. Born into a south Indian Hindu family, she became an outstandingHindustani vocalist of thePatiala Gharana and married Rajendra Shankar, brother ofUday Shankar, aBengali by birth. She was known for her performances ofkhyal,thumri, andbhajan.[1][2][3] She was the sister-in-law of sitar playerRavi Shankar and the mother-in-law of violinistL. Subramaniam (her daughterViji (Vijayashree Shankar) Subramaniam being his first wife).
Born in 1926, Lakshmi Shankar started her career in dancing. Her father Bhimrao Shastri was a noted Sanskritist who took active participation in India's struggle for freedom and was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. She was the co-editor of 'Harijan'. In 1939, whenUday Shankar brought his dance troupe toMadras (recently renamedChennai), she joined theAlmora Centre to learn Shankar's dance style based on the Indian classics, and became a part of the troupe. In 1941, she married Uday Shankar's younger brother, Rajendra (nicknamed Raju). Her sister Kamala was also a dancer at Uday Shankar's ballet troupe.
During a period of illness, Lakshmi Shankar had to give up dancing, and already having had a background ofCarnatic music, she undertook learningHindustani classical music for many years under UstadAbdul Rehman Khan. Later, she also trained withRavi Shankar, thesitar maestro and youngest brother of Rajendra and Uday.
In 1974, Lakshmi Shankar performed in Europe as part ofRavi Shankar's Music Festival from India. Late that same year, she toured North America with Ravi Shankar andGeorge Harrison, who produced theShankar Family & Friends album (1974), including the pop single "I Am Missing You" with vocals by Lakshmi Shankar. Following Ravi Shankar's heart attack during the tour, she conducted his ensemble of musicians.[4]
Lakshmi Shankar has shown her versatility and adaptability by composing music forBharatanatyam for the leading dance company Shakti School of Bharatanatyam, located in Los Angeles.
Shankar died on 30 December 2013 in California.[5]
LP records
• Nirmala Devi & Lakshmi Shankar - The Gramophone Company of India, India, 1968
CDs
Cassettes
Lakshmi Shankar's clear, supple voice has made her one of India's most acclaimed classical singers.
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