Kamala Shankar Biography 
Kamala Shankar is an Indian female musician who plays Classical Slide Guitar. She is the first Indian lady to perform this particular string instrument. She is a student of renowned classical sitar player and music teacher, Bimalendu Mukherjee. Her music is popularly referred as singing guitar. She is the first slide guitarist to receive Rashtriya Kumar Gandharva Samman given by Madhya Pradesh state government, and she won the award in the year 2013.
Dr. Kamala Shankar was born in Tanjore, Tamil Nadu on 5 December 1966.She was born to Dr. Rangaswamy Shankar, a renowned medical practitioner of Varanasi. Her mother’s name is Vijaya Shankar. She was brought up in the holy city of Varanasi, UP. She was initiated into vocal music by her mother at the age of only 4, and since then she has been involved with the field of music. She learnt Hindustani vocal music from Guru Pt. Amarnath Mishra of Varanasi for 8 years. Later she got inclined to Hawaiian slide guitar, which she learnt from Dr. Shivnath Bhattacharya, and also guidance given by Pandit Chhannulal Mishra.
Over the years she learnt different forms of music apart from Hindustani vocals, such as Thumri, Kajari, Dadra, Chaiti with Rabindra Sangeet and Bhajan. She also learnt under Pt. Bimalendu Mukherjee and Dr. Gopal Shankar Mishra. During her doctoral studies at BHU, she received guidance from Dr. Gopal Shankar Mishra. She is the first woman guitarist to be conferred a doctorate by the Benares Hindu University. She is married to Pt. Rajeev Janardhan, an accomplished sitar and surbahar artist, and they perform together.
She remained a top grade artist of All India Radio, and has performed in India and abroad. She also performs for Doordarshan and musical festivals of India. She discontinued her studies after graduation to pursue a career in music. Shankar Guitar, modified form of the Hawaiian-guitar is a rich addition to Hindustani classical music. Kamala Shankar is a renowned artist who performs this unique guitar.
Published: January 28, 2019
Updated: January 28, 2019
