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{{Short description|Indian classical musician (born 1966)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{BLP sources|date=May 2009}}
{{inline|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
|name = Vidushi Dr.Kamala Shankar
|background  = person
|image = Vidushi_Dr.Kamala_Shankar.jpg
|name         = Kamala Shankar
|image_size =
|image       =
|background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
|image_size   =
|origin = [[Varanasi]], Uttar Pradesh, India
|origin       = [[Varanasi]], Uttar Pradesh, India
| birth_date               = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1966|12|05}}
|birth_date   = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1966|12|05}}
|instrument = [[Shankar Guitar]]
|birth_place  = [[Thanjavur]], Tamil Nadu, India<ref name="thehindu">{{cite web|title=Her guitar is a Shankar |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/her-guitar-is-a-shankar/article6291577.ece |website=thehindu.com |date=7 August 2014 |access-date=24 January 2025 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name="Hawaiian guitar">{{cite web|title=Giving Hawaiian guitar a classical makeover |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/giving-hawaiian-guitar-a-classical-makeover/article25960289.ece |website=thehindu.com |date=10 January 2019 |access-date=24 January 2025 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
|genre = [[Indian classical music]]
|instrument  = Shankar guitar
|occupation = Musician/[[indian slide guitar player]]/[[classical vocal]]
|genre       = [[Indian classical music]]
| years_active       = 1984&ndash;present
|occupation   = Musician
|website = {{url|drkamalashankar.com}}
|years_active = 1984–present
|website     = {{url|drkamalashankar.com}}
}}
}}


'''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]].
'''Kamala Shankar''' (born 5 December 1966) is an Indian [[Indian classical music|classical musician]] specializing in the [[Gharana]] tradition. She has created her own instrument, a custom version of a [[Lap steel guitar|Hawaiian slide guitar]] that she calls the Shankar slide guitar.<ref name="thehindu" /><ref>{{cite web|title='Shankar guitar' performance enthrals audience |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/shankar-guitar-performance-enthrals-audience/article2794743.ece |website=thehindu.com |date=25 July 2016 |access-date=24 January 2025 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name="easternmirrornagaland">{{cite web|title=Handshake Concert: Raj Bhavan sings for friendship and unity|url=https://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/handshake-concert-raj-bhavan-sings-for-friendship-and-unity |website=easternmirrornagaland.com |date=3 December 2016 |access-date=24 January 2025}}</ref> Shankar founded the Shakara Arts Foundation in 2007, and she holds a [[Doctor of Music|doctorate degree]] from [[Banaras Hindu University]].<ref name="easternmirrornagaland" /> She received the [[Kumar Gandharva Samman]] award from the government of [[Madhya Pradesh]] in 2013.<ref name="Hawaiian 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]].
==Discography==
 
{{Incomplete list|date=January 2025}}
== Early years ==
* ''Jhankaar'' (2008)
 
* ''Hues of the Indian Guitar'' (2019)
Kamala Shankar, born in Tanjore (Tamil Nadu) 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 [U.S.] 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....


==References==
==References==
*[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/shankar-guitar-performance-enthrals-audience/article2794743.ece ''‘Shankar guitar' performance enthrals audience''], The Hindu KOLLAM, 12 January 2012.
{{reflist}}
*[http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/her-guitar-is-a-shankar/article6291577.ece ''Her guitar is a Shankar''], The Hindu Friday Review " Music 7 August 2014.
*[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/hindustani-classics-on-guitar/article503826.ece''Hindustani classics on guitar''], The Hindu, KERALA 7 July 2010.
*[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/unique-experience-for-music-lovers/article6000044.ece''Unique experience for music lovers''], The Hindu, Kerala MALAPPURAM, 12 May 2014.
*[http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/a-brush-with-the-past/article5526395.ece ''A brush with the past''] The Hindu 1 January 2014.
*[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/her-guitar-is-a-shankar/article6292778.ece The Hindu 8 August 2014.]
*[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/stringing-along/article1435923.ece ''Stringing along''] The Hindu, 10 October 2008 .
*http://digitalpaper.mathrubhumi.com/m/1095653/Kottayam/FEBRUARY-06,-2017#issue/2/1 Mathrubhumi Kottayam 6 Feb 2017.
*http://digitalpaper.mathrubhumi.com/m/1085528/Mathrubhumi/JANUARY-28,-2017#issue/26/1
*http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/handshake-concert-raj-bhavan-sings-for-friendship-and-unity/
*http://epaper.punjabkesari.in/m5/733377/punjab-kesari-himachal-shimla-kesari/Shimla-kesari#page/2/1
*http://m.epaper.bhaskar.com/shimla-bhaskar/184/27022016/cph/4/
*http://epaper.divyahimachal.com/m5/733008/Mera-Shimla/Mera-Shimla#page/2/1
*http://digitalpaper.mathrubhumi.com/1083842/Mathrubhumi/JANUARY-26,-2017#page/27
*http://digitalpaper.mathrubhumi.com/1096875/Thrissur/07-February-2017#page/23
*[http://www.magzter.com/IN/India-Today-Group/India-Today/News/55447 ''INDIA TODAY MAGAZINE''] 30 June 2014
*https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/giving-hawaiian-guitar-a-classical-makeover/article25960289.ece] The Hindu 10 January 2019
 
==Discography==
*Music Melody on Guitar By HMV(RPG) Raga Bageshri, Raga Shyam kalyan & Dhun in Mishra Kafi
*Great Masters by Eli Lily & Company [India] Pvt.Ltd.
*Tantarang by Mystica Music Raga Jog & Raga Miya Malhar
*Jhankar Rich Heritage by Legendary Legacy Promotions Pvt.Ltd. Raga Bairagi, Raga Bilaskhani Todi & Mishra Pahadi Dhun


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.drkamalashankar.com Official web site]
* {{official website|drkamalashankar.com}}


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[[Category:Etawah gharana]]
[[Category:Musicians from Varanasi]]
[[Category:Musicians from Varanasi]]
[[Category:Women guitarists]]
[[Category:Indian women guitarists]]
[[Category:People from Thanjavur district]]
[[Category:Musicians from Thanjavur district]]
[[Category:Musicians from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Musicians from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Indian women classical musicians]]
[[Category:Indian women classical musicians]]
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[[Category:20th-century Indian women musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian musicians]]
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Latest revision as of 16:45, 26 May 2025

Kamala Shankar
Born (1966-12-05) 5 December 1966 (age 59)
Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India[1][2]
OriginVaranasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
GenresIndian classical music
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsShankar guitar
Years active1984–present
Websitedrkamalashankar.com

Kamala Shankar (born 5 December 1966) is an Indian classical musician specializing in the Gharana tradition. She has created her own instrument, a custom version of a Hawaiian slide guitar that she calls the Shankar slide guitar.[1][3][4] Shankar founded the Shakara Arts Foundation in 2007, and she holds a doctorate degree from Banaras Hindu University.[4] She received the Kumar Gandharva Samman award from the government of Madhya Pradesh in 2013.[2]

Discography[edit | edit source]

  • Jhankaar (2008)
  • Hues of the Indian Guitar (2019)

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Her guitar is a Shankar". thehindu.com. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Giving Hawaiian guitar a classical makeover". thehindu.com. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  3. "'Shankar guitar' performance enthrals audience". thehindu.com. 25 July 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Handshake Concert: Raj Bhavan sings for friendship and unity". easternmirrornagaland.com. 3 December 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2025.

External links[edit | edit source]