Sangeeta Shankar
Sangeeta Shankar (born 12 August 1965 in Banaras) is an Indian classical violinist who performs Hindustani classical music and Fusion music. She is the daughter and disciple of the famed violinist N. Rajam.

She has performed internationally and follows the Gayaki Ang technique of reproducing the human voice on the violin. She is known for endless improvisation and her left hand technique. She has also passed on the tradition to her daughters Ragini Shankar and Nandini Shankar. Their musical family also include her husband Shankar Devraj and son-in-law Mahesh Raghvan.

Education

Sangeeta Shankar received gold medals with her Bachelor's and Master's degrees, and a Ph.D. in music from Banaras Hindu University.

Performing career

She started accompanying her mother at the age of 13, and gave a debut solo performance when she was 16.  She plays the 'Gayaki Ang', a style often referred to as the 'Singing Violin' that conveys the emotions of a human voice from the violin. She has performed all over India and across the globe in various countries.

Educator

1999: ‘Swar Sadhana’ – a TV Serial – to educate the masses about Indian Music. This serial was made for creating an awareness of Indian classical music among the masses. Its highlights were the interesting story format and the participation of various prominent celebrities like Madhuri Dixit, Javed Akhtar, Zakir Hussain, Birju Maharaj, Jagjit Singh, Naushad, Amol Palekar, Pankaj Udhas, Yukta Mookhey, Kanak Rele, Suresh Wadkar, N. Rajam, Sadhana Sargam, Shankar Mahadevan, Annu Kapoor, Veena Sahasrabuddhe, and many others. This educational series is currently available on Youtube as 'Knowledge Series'  

2015 – 2021: Founded & Headed the School of Music in Whistling Woods International with Subhash Ghai creating music directors with an excellent strong foundation in Music. A school continuously growing during her six year tenure, brought out many talented budding musicians who are an asset to the music industry today. She is currently a member of the Academic Advisory Board of the Institution 

2020 – 2021: ’22 Shrutis Simplified’ – a five part series, is a gold mine for musicians & music students. 

2014 – present: Rajam School of Violin – a virtual school for learning the coveted ‘Gayaki Ang’ from the illustrious family of N.Rajam.

2022 - Educational courses for media professionals and music students on music production.

Currently she is working on an educational project, which aims to educate children about values and culture and inculcate an atmosphere of happiness, love and peace amongst humanity.

Composer

She has been involved in many projects in the fields of education, culture, art, music, and creative pursuits. 2022 - Educational courses for media professionals and music students on music production.

Entrepreneur

She is the founder and director of a music company, Legendary Legacy Promotions Pvt. Ltd., which consists of a storehouse of classical music and other products.

Awards

She received the Sangeet Natak Academy award in 2021 from the President of India for her work in music education. Her workshops, seminars, and educational videos have opened Indian classical music and culture to different sectors - the masses, children, young music directors, media professionals, music students & musicians.

Discography
 Tabula Rasa (Fusion) with Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Bela Fleck, nominated in 1997 for Grammy Best World Music Award.
 Melody & Rhythm with Zakir Hussain
 Violin Dynasty (Raag Bageshree) with N. Rajam
 Aasha (Raag Jog)
 Kumari Sangeeta (Raag Bihag, Chayanat)
 Sensitive Strains of Violin (Raag Sohini, Bheem)
 A Delicate Touch (Raag Jogkauns, Desh)
 Together (Ragam Bhairavi, Malavi, Bilaharai, Todi) with N. Rajam
 Dedications to Dawn (Raag Mian ki Todi, Bairagi, Suha Sugharai)
 Sangeeta Shankar (Raag Todi, Bairagi)
 Music therapy for Migraine - Times Music (Raag Darbari Kanada)
 Saundarya (Raag Shyam Kalyaan)

References

1965 births
Hindustani instrumentalists
Indian violinists
Indian women violinists
Living people
Musicians from Mumbai
Tamil musicians
Women musicians from Maharashtra
21st-century violinists
21st-century women musicians
Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award