Lakshmi Shankar BY A STAFF REPORTER
SIMI VALLEY, CA - One of the most influential Indian musicians in America, vocalist Lakshmi Shankar, passed away Dec. 30 evening in Simi Valley, surrounded by her son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, and close friends. She was 87. Shankar was nominated for a Grammy in 2009 for her solo Hindustani classical album ‘Dancing in the Light’ and she was the voice that sang ‘Vaishnava janato’ in the Oscar winning film ‘Gandhi’ in the 1980s. She was one of the very few artistes in the realm of Indian classical music...
SIMI VALLEY, CA - One of the most influential Indian musicians in America, vocalist Lakshmi Shankar, passed away Dec. 30 evening in Simi Valley, surrounded by her son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, and close friends. She was 87. Shankar was nominated for a Grammy in 2009 for her solo Hindustani classical album ‘Dancing in the Light’ and she was the voice that sang ‘Vaishnava janato’ in the Oscar winning film ‘Gandhi’ in the 1980s. She was one of the very few artistes in the realm of Indian classical music...
to traverse both, the Hindustani and Carnatic formats with equal ease. Born to Visalakshi and Viswanatha Sastri of Pudukkottai , she and her sister Kamala Sastri were exposed to Karnatic music thanks to the family’s association with Sangita Kalanidhi TL Venkatarama Iyer. Her childhood was spent in Mambalam, Chennai. She underwent training in Bharatanatyam from Kandappa Pillai and had her arangetram at the age of 11.
After she went to join Uday Shankar’s dance troupe she met his introverted brother Rajendra Shankar and married him. Among her most fulfilling creative collaborations with the family was the depiction of Jawaharlal Nehru’s book, ‘Discovery of India’, the staging of which was attended by the Prime Minister himself. She also worked with her other brother-in-law Ravi Shankar and the Beatle George Harrison for the ‘Festival of India.’ After an illness stopped her dance career completely, she studied Hindustani music under Ustad Abdul Rehman Khan and Prof Deodarh. Over time she carved out her own style in Hindustani music which showcased her sweet voice, bhava filled renditions and a vast repertoire of thumris and compositions that she tuned in several languages. Shankar knew tragedy in her life. Her husband passed away when young, leaving her behind with a son and daughter. The daughter, Viji was known to be a splendid musician herself, but after marriage to L.Subramaniam, focused more on family. She too passed away young. Shankar was a well known figure in Southern California and much sought after performer. Unassuming and humble, she rendered her musical services without the accompanying tantrums that the far less talented are wont to throw. Her voice lives on in the recordings that she made throughout her life.
After she went to join Uday Shankar’s dance troupe she met his introverted brother Rajendra Shankar and married him. Among her most fulfilling creative collaborations with the family was the depiction of Jawaharlal Nehru’s book, ‘Discovery of India’, the staging of which was attended by the Prime Minister himself. She also worked with her other brother-in-law Ravi Shankar and the Beatle George Harrison for the ‘Festival of India.’ After an illness stopped her dance career completely, she studied Hindustani music under Ustad Abdul Rehman Khan and Prof Deodarh. Over time she carved out her own style in Hindustani music which showcased her sweet voice, bhava filled renditions and a vast repertoire of thumris and compositions that she tuned in several languages. Shankar knew tragedy in her life. Her husband passed away when young, leaving her behind with a son and daughter. The daughter, Viji was known to be a splendid musician herself, but after marriage to L.Subramaniam, focused more on family. She too passed away young. Shankar was a well known figure in Southern California and much sought after performer. Unassuming and humble, she rendered her musical services without the accompanying tantrums that the far less talented are wont to throw. Her voice lives on in the recordings that she made throughout her life.
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