Shubha Mudgal
Shubha Mudgal, basically a classical vocalist of
the younger generation defies categorisation when it comes to defining
her art. After establishing herself as a classical vocalist, she has
diversified her art and proved her prowess in the other genres of
singing, such as thumris, dadra, chaiti, sufiana music, folk and most
of all Hindi pop.
Shubha Mudgal was born in Allahabad. Both her
parents were professors in English at the Allahabad University. While
at college at the age of seventeen, she received her training from
well-known vocalists such as Ram Ashrey Jha, Vinaychandra Maudgalya,
Vasant Thakar, and Jintendra Abhisheki. She was influenced by Kumar
Gandharva's art. She also learnt thumri and dadra gayaki from Vidushi
Naina Devi. With sheer hard work and determination Shubha Mudgal
mastered her art and within a few years time, she was on her way to
become a full-fledged artiste.
Shubha Mudgal has been bestowed with a
distinctively powerful and resonant voice with a wide range. She
renders her ragas in clear tones and reveals its structure through an
enunciation of systematic alaap in akaar, boltaan and perfect layakari.
She has put her classically trained voice to full use in singing the
compositions of genres like thumri, dadra, chaiti, sufiana kalaam and
devotional compositions, which she renders with ease.
Her folk and devotional renderings are excellent
and at times reflect Kumar Gandharva's style. Shubha Mudgal has
astounded her listeners by her renderings in Hindi pop, which only
goes to show that she is extremely bold and innovative like other
musicians of the younger generation.
An M.A in music from Allahabad University, Shubha
Mudgal, the multi-genre singer has indeed added many feathers to her
musical cap. A dynamic performer, she is an accomplished composer too.
She has composed music for Mira Nair's Kama Sutra and Rajan Khosla's
Song of the Wind. She has a variety of recordings to her credit, which
include Songs of the Seasons, Classically yours, Ali more Angna, Jai
Jai Matram, Ab Ke Sawan, Pyar Ke Geet and more recently Man Ke
Manjeere.
