By the age of four Kasturi Shankar had the ability
to sing any song she heard flawlessly. At the age
of 12, she was performing in public. Training with
renowned M.Prabhakar and A.Subbarao from 1972, her
first song was for a Malayalam film in 1973.
Since then she sang in Kannada and Tulu
for more than 100 films. A multilingual singer,
she has also performed in over a 1000 programmes
in India, singing vachanas (poems), folk songs,
etc., in 8 languages (including Marathi, Hindi,
Telugu). Singing on All India Radio's Akashavani
since 1974, her voice is well known in homes in
Karnataka. Awards: Best Playback Singer, Kannada
cinema (1975), National Award, best Light
Music Singer (1991), title 'Karnataka Kalasri'
by Sangeet Nritya Academy (1995). She lives in Bangalore
with her husband, Shankar Rao.
Sudha Sampath,
Singing Sensation
She's got a voice that can swoop instantly from
the honeyed clarity of Carnatic to
the fast pace of the Rock. Meet Sudha
Sampath, the Bangalore lass who is soon going
to hit the big time!
Sudha was the cultural secretary of Christ
College in 1998-99 and she got there because
of that superb voice that had all the campus rooting
for her. This 21 year old, bagged the 'Upcoming
Artist of the Year Award' in 1998 from the
Aryabhatta Cultural Organisation. We had
a small chat with Sudha and she appeared
to be enjoying the limelight at the moment.
On her latest ventures "I have been doing
a lot of Corporate and live shows. I am also writing
lyrics for a few songs in Hindi. I have done shows
in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Delhi."
On her musical background…. "I started singing
at the age of five itself. I was very interested
in music and used to put in that little extra effort.
I can sing in 6 languages- Tamil, Telugu, Kannada,
Hindi, English and Malayalam. Of late, I have learnt
to sing in Punjabi too!"
Who are your role models in music? "I have
a flair for languages and that is the reason I am
able to pick up so many languages. My inspiration
is Usha Utthap. She is so versatile! She can sing
in 13 Indian and 7 foreign languages, which probably
no other singer in India can. I also like Mariah
Carey, she's got a very good voice!"
Which was your most memorable moment? "(Smiles)
It was a show in Calcutta, where both Usha and me
were performing, and I was unaware of that! Someone
later told me that Usha had been looking out for
me. When I met her, she complimented me on my voice
and also invited me over to her studio in Calcutta."
How do the audience react to your music?
"I want to cater to a wider audience. I want my
audience to be totally involved in my songs and
also sing along with me! I smile a lot while singing
and also do a few dance steps, so that both the
audience and I have a good time."
What is the music trend in Bangalore at present?
"Remixes of the old numbers are very much 'in' at
the moment. I like to sing anything young and peppy."
About her future plans. "Five years down
the line, I have an album on the cards which will
probably be self-titled. A couple of title songs
of Kannada serials are also on the anvil and playback
singing is what I have been waiting for."
What is music according to you? "Music is
a way of expressing yourself through notes and melody.
I practice everyday for two hours and keep myself
away from getting drenched in the rain or from drinking
anything cold."
Sudha is a talented singer and performer.
She is very confident too and her simplicity is
endearing. Having performed in various cities of
India, she is already creating waves with her voice.
Here is the gift of a singing sensation to our city.
7:54:54 AM 
She's got a voice that can swoop instantly from
the honeyed clarity of Carnatic to
the fast pace of the Rock. Meet Sudha
Sampath, the Bangalore lass who is soon going
to hit the big time!
