Born in 1926, Lakshmi Shankar started her career in dancing. Her father Bhimrao Shastri was a noted Sanskritist who took active participation in India's struggle for freedom and was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. She was the co-editor of 'Harijan'. In 1939, when Uday Shankar brought his dance troupe to Madras (recently renamed Chennai), she joined the Almora Centre to learn Shankar's dance style based on the Indian classics, and became a part of the troupe. In 1941, she married Uday Shankar's younger brother, Rajendra (nicknamed Raju). Her sister Kamala was also a dancer at Uday Shankar's ballet troupe.
During a period of illness, Lakshmi Shankar 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 and youngest brother of Rajendra and Uday.
In 1974, Lakshmi Shankar performed in Europe as part of Ravi Shankar's Music Festival from India. Late that same year, she toured North America with Ravi Shankar and George Harrison, who produced the Shankar Family & Friends album (1974), including the pop single "I Am Missing You" with vocals by Lakshmi Shankar. Following Ravi Shankar's heart attack during the tour, she conducted his ensemble of musicians.[4]
Lakshmi Shankar has shown her versatility and adaptability by composing music for Bharatanatyam for the leading dance company Shakti School of Bharatanatyam, located in Los Angeles.
Shankar died on 30 December 2013 in California.[5]
Discography
LP records
• Nirmala Devi & Lakshmi Shankar - The Gramophone Company of India, India, 1968
The Voice of Lakshmi Shankar – World Pacific, US, 1969
Le chant indien, classique et dévotionnel – Stil discothèque, France, 1976
Les Heures et les Saisons – Ocora, France, studio 107 de Radio France 1983, 1987
CDs
Les Heures et les Saisons – Ocora, France, studio 107 de Radio France 1983, 1989
Chants de dévotion / Songs of Devotion – Auvidis (Ethnic), France, 1990
Live Concert from Los Angeles – Ravi Shankar Music Circle, US
Jai Uttal Footprints, featuring Lakshmi Shankar and Don Cherry – Triloka, Los Angeles, California, US, 1990
Live in London – Navras, UK
Bhakti Ras (Live in London, Vol. 2, September 1992) – Navras, UK, 1995
Shringar: Thumris – Music Today, India
Ecstasy – Audiorec, 1991
Amrut Ras, Lakshmi Shankar sings songs from the devotional tradition – Audiorec Classics UK (Cat No 766032 1055-2), 2003
Divine Love – Navras UK, 2005, 2006
A life of dedication – Navras UK, 2006, 2006
Dancing in the Light – World Village, recorded live, 9 April 2005 at On the Path Studio, Santa Monica, California, US, 2008
