Lakshmi Shankar

Lakshmi Shankar (born 1926) is a Hindustani classical vocalist of the Patiala Gharana. She is known for her performances of khyal, thumri, and bhajans.

Born in 1926, Lakshmi started her career in dancing. In 1939, when Uday Shankar brought his dance troupe to Madras, (recently renamed Chennai), she joined the Almora Centre to learn Uday Shankar’s dance style based on the Indian classics, and became a part of his troupe. She later married Uday Shankar's brother, Rajendra (with nickname Raju).

During a period of illness, Lakshmi had to give up dancing, and already having had a background of Carnatic music, she undertook learning Hindustani classical music for many years under Ustad Abdul Rehman Khan. Later, she also trained with Ravi Shankar, the sitar maestro.

Shankar toured America with Ravi Shankar and George Harrison in 1974. After Ravi Shankar's heart attack she conducted his touring band.

Lakshmi has shown her versatility and adaptability by composing music for Bharatanatyam for the leading dance company Shakti School of Bharatanatyam located in Los Angeles.

Discography

LP Records

• The Voice of Lakshmi Shankar - World Pacific, USA
• Les Heures et les Saisons - Ocora 558615/16, France

Compact Discs

• Les Heures et les Saisons - Ocora, France
• Songs of Devotion - Auvidis (Ethnic), France
• Live Concert from Los Angeles - Ravi Shankar Music Circle, USA
• Live in London - Navras, UK (Cat No NRCD0006)
• Bhakti Ras -......
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