Shankar B Rao – A Profile

A LIFE IN FLUTE

Sangeetha Kalarathna Venugana Visharada Vidwan B Shankar Rao is one of the leading flutists of the century. A blessed artist, he has over a thousand performances to his credit.

Like all great artistes, humility is the hallmark of his illustrious career. Concerts or awards are not his ends; it is in the joy of the listener that Shankar Rao finds his reward.

At 86, Vidwan Shankar Rao looks behind to over 70 years of illustrious and accomplished association with the flute.

Incredibly, this great artiste with innumerable awards to his credit, someone who appeals to the connoisseurs and commoners and who has authored a book is largely a self-taught.

Shankar Rao today inspires a generation of students with his unique style of teaching at his school, PRAPANCHA – The World of Music. He started it along with Shri Mahadevan in 1985.

The spectrum of activities that he is involved would seem like a daunting task for anyone.

He was elected as the President of 34th Music Conference of the Gayana Samaj of Bangalore, in recognition of his contribution to the field of Music.

His nomination as the President of T.Chowdiah memorial Award selection committee in 2004, again an indication of his knowledge and repute.

HIS EARLY YEARS

Born on the 10th of May 1922, Shankar Rao picked up the rudiments of flute playing from his brother-in-law Shri Sivaramaiah, at the age of fourteen. He was greatly encouraged by his sister Smt. Balamba, who was herself, a classical singer.

The sniggering that greeted him during his first performance strengthened his resolve to master the divine art.

He thereafter went on to win the inter-university competition for 3 years in succession.

It was in the early 1940s that Shankar Rao came in contact with “Mali”, the great Mahalingam. Mali greatly influenced him and his association is still alive and manifests itself in his unique style of playing.

MILESTONES & ACHIEVEMENTS

• First place at the Madras Music Academy competition in 1944
• First public performance at Kannada Sahitya Parishad in 1948
• Secured first place at P&T cultural meet for 3 successive years from 1963 at Delhi, Lucknow and Hyderabad.
• Started giving countywide public performance from 1965, won appreciation of many an accomplished musicians like Chembai, Ariyakudi & GNB to name a few.
• Performed at the India International meet won the appreciation of distinguished audience of the Russian and French embassy and of Vice-President B.D.Jatti and Ms.Sarojini Mahishi, the then minister of parliamentary affairs.
• Received the title Venugana Visharada at Hiriyur from A.Na.Kru and the title Venugana Gandharva at Tirupathi from the Ranganatha Sabha.
• Performed at the International Astrological Conference in 1982 and more recently at the Gana Sabha and Gayana Samaj,Davangere.
• Toured Holland and Germany for Lectures and performances in Sept-Oct, 1995. Released a flute cassette on that tour.
• Swanda Sharma honored him with the title of Murali Mohaka.
• His program at Ramakrishna Mutt, the Cubbon Park, Lakkundi Utsav in Gadag are acclaimed to be the best in recent years
• Authored the book KOLALIGONDU KAIPIDI, published by the Kannada Sangha of Christ College – Bangalore can be arguably the best book for flute students
• Vice-President of the Shri Vidya Ganapathi Seva Sangha and has been instrumental in conducting several popular programs.
• SWARASANGAMA, GANA-RAGA-ALANKARA & PANCHARAJANI composed by him are hugely popular compositions.
• PANCHAVENU, a novel experiment, wherein five flutists were trained and performed together was one of his genuine creations.
• SANGEETHA KALARATHNA award conferred upon him on the 27th Oct 2002 by the Gayana Samaj.
• Performed at Ananya, sponsored by Kannada and Culture ministry.
• Recently honored at RAMANI’S ACADEMY OF FLUTE, Chennai
• SEVARATHNA by Parabrahma Spiritual and Science Academy.
• GURUKULABHUSHANA by Gurusarwabhowma Music Academy
• SANGEETHA KALARAVINDA by Sangeetha Krupa Kutir.
• In 2008 Govt. of Karnataka honoured him with the prestigious Rajyotsava Prashasti for his achievements and services in the field of carnatic music.

THE MAESTRO – TODAY

The humble maestro lives with his wife in his simple abode. Married to her for over 50 years, she is the backbone of is inspiration.

Shankar Rao spends all his efforts and time on imparting and spreading the light of Carnatic music through the beloved students of his school, PRAPANCHA. He has over 50 disciples who revere and love him. It is through these instruments of life that he, Vidwan Shri Shankar Rao, will realize his dreams.

Prapancha – The World of Music

No.32, Titumala Ramana Krupa, 4th Main 4th Block
TR Nagar Bangalore 560028
Phone (080) 2677-0700