Akademi Award For Veteran Singer Haimanti Shukla

On June 19, veteran singer Haimanti Shukla received an email from the chairperson of Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) congratulating her on being selected for the Akademi Award (Puraskar) 2017. The 69-year-old singer will be conferred the award in the category of Sugam Sangeet.

Shukla said, “In the letter, Shekhar bhai has written: ‘I am glad to inform that the General Council of Sangeet Natak Akademi at its meeting held on 8 June 2018 at Imphal, Manipur has selected you for Akademi Award (Puraskar) 2017 for your contribution to Other Major Traditions of Music - Sugam Sangeet. I extend my heartiest congratulations and felicitations to you, on behalf of the General Council.’

Other famous recipients of the awards are Begum Akhtar, Gangubai Hangal, Kumar Gandharva, Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, Iqbal Ahmad Khan, Nath Narelkar and Mashkoor Ali Khan.

Shukla was born in Kolkata, West Bengal. Her father, Pandit Harihar Shukla was a renowned Hindustani classical vocalist. She received vocal training from her father. The tradition of Hindustani classical music was in her family and this helped her to become a classically trained singer.

She recorded her first song E to kanna noy aamar in 1972 at the age of 23. She is well known for her song Kahan Se Aaya Badra from movie "Chasmebadoor"

She is thankful to SNA chairperson Shekhar Sen. “Today, I understood how much he respects my work. I remember being overwhelmed while watching Shekhar bhai perform as Vivekananda at the Science City. Later, when I was in Mumbai, he had come for my show too. It makes me immensely happy to receive this news from him.”

Shukla started her professional singing career in 1972 and this award is a recognition of her talent.She was  also awarded the Kalakar Award in 2005. "I am not someone who has hankered for awards. "Music offers sustenance for my soul. It is my lifelong partner. I have never pursued music for getting awards," she explained.

Picture Credit: Alchetron

Read Also: Chennai: Legendary Playback Singer MS Rajeswari Passes Away

Apoorva Lamba is an intern with SheThePeople.Tv