Dr. Kamala Shankar

Dr Kamala Shanka is a renowned exponent of Indian Classical Guitar. She has enthralled the world through her immaculate and melodious rendition of music. She is known for her tremendous control and versatility along with depth on her instrument. She has an exceptional and natural ability to play the ‘Gayaki Ang’ style on her Shankar Guitar. Dr Kamala is a prodigy of Indian Music and has performed in India and abroad. She has improvised her art at every level. She has made a place of her own among the group of established artists. She achieved the record of being the first lady Guitar Artist with a Doctorate on the same. She has been awarded the prestigious “Rashtriya Kumar Gandharva Samman 2009-10”. Dr.Kamala Shankar was born in Tanjore (Tamilnadu) and blossomed in Varanasi. At the age of 4, she was initiated into vocal music by her mother. At the age of 6, she was put under the guidance of Guru Pt. Amarnath Mishra of Varanasi to have extensive study in vocal for 6 years. She completed her Sangeet Prabhakar. Later on, Kamala Shankar picked up Hawaiian Guitar at the age of 12 and vocal training helped her in learning the instrument with ease. Her initial training of Guitar started with Dr Shivnath Bhattacharya of Varanasi and was given valuable guidance by Guru Padmabhushan Pt. Chhannulal Mishra Ji (Kirana Gharana) of Varanasi and then from Pt. Bimalendu Mukherjee for few years. She completed Sangeet Prabhakar, Sangeet Praveen in Guitar from Prayag Sangeet Samiti Allahabad and Doctorate under Dr Gopal Shankar Misra from Banaras Hindu University. She is a "Top Graded" Artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan and has performed many National Programmes of Music & Sangeet Sammelan of Akashawani & Doordarshan.