Lakshmi Shankar

🪔 About

Lakshmi Shankar (née Shastri, 1926 – 2013) was an Indian artist whose career began as a Bharatanatyam dancer before she became a celebrated Hindustani classical vocalist. Born in Madras (now Chennai) in 1926, she commenced her Bharatanatyam training at the age of eight under Guru Kandappa Pillai in Chennai. She had her arangetram (debut performance) at the age of eleven. In 1939, she joined Uday Shankar's India Cultural Center at Almora as a dancer and staff member, where her dance horizons expanded to include Manipuri, Kathakali, and Uday Shankar's unique modern dance style. She performed in significant productions such as the ballet 'Discovery of India' in multiple roles. A severe illness forced her to discontinue her dance career. Following this, she transitioned to Hindustani classical music, training under Ustad Abdul Rehman Khan and later Pandit Deodhar and Ravi Shankar. While primarily renowned as a vocalist, Lakshmi Shankar also composed music for Bharatanatyam for institutions like the Shakti School of Bharatanatyam in Los Angeles, demonstrating her continued connection to the dance form. She passed away in Simi Valley, California, on December 30, 2013. Awards & Honours: Master Musician Fellowship Award (1997), Grammy Nomination (Best Traditional World Music Album) (2008).