12th May On Friday 12th May 06, London was the scene of a beautiful event organised by Navras Records UK: a music recital by the doyenne of Hindustani vocal music, Smt. Lakshmi Shankar. The event was in celebration of her 80th birthday and 50 years of performing, five decades of propagating India’s rich musical heritage around the world.

The evening began with a moving video tribute by Pandit Ravi Shankar, Lakshmiji’s guru and mentor. This was followed by a felicitation by Vibhakar Baxi, of Navras Records. At his request, Dr. Khare, Director of the Nehru Centre of the Indian High Commission in London, released Lakshmiji’s latest Navras recording comprising of rare ragas and composition created by Pandit Ravi Shankar (for details: www.navrasrecords.com). Finally, in a brief tribute celebrating 25 years of collaboration between Sargam and Lakshmiji, Shireen Isal of Association Sargam spoke feelingly of all that the artist has come to represent for Sargam, her family and herself personally. She spoke of her admiration for Lakshmiji’s qualities: her sense of tolerance, capacity to accept people the way they are, her generosity of spirit and, above all, her unflinching integrity and immense personal dignity

The evening, comprising, amongst other items, many well-known bhajans from Lakshmiji’s earlier recordings, was a moving experience for her many friends, admirers and well-wishers who came from far and wide and who overwhelmed this gracious artist with their immense affection.

13th May


Sharp Shankar ©

On Saturday 13th May, in a simple yet moving ceremony, the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in London felicitated Lakshmiji. Thanks for this go to Shri Nandakumar, the Bhavan Executive Director and Smt. Sivasakti Sivanesan, its veena/vocal teacher and one of London’s leading performing artists.
The weekend ended with an 80th birthday gathering of Lakshmiji’s family and friends in London, organised by Association Sargam.


© Gilda Sebastian

MESSAGE FROM SHRI GOPALKRISHNA GANDHI
Governor of West Bengal
 
Lakshmi Shankar is the gift of South India's musical talent to North India's musical consciousness.   She is also the gift of India to the world of music connoisseurs.  When she ceased to be a pupil and became a teacher, we cannot say.  For, even in her younger years she had the stature of a guru and has, even today, the interest and instinct to learn. 
 
Those who have heard Lakshmi Shankar sing, know that they are in the presence of one who is more than a musician, one who is an integration of civility, classicism and culture.  But one who, with all this, does not weigh on one's sensibility; rather, who can redeem a sombre moment by the iridescent ray of laughter.
 
15 February 2006
Raj Bhavan
Kolkata

Messages

“Our thanks to Navras Records UK for organising Lakshmiji's concert in such a stylish way and inviting us. We had a great time in London. It was a memorable evening and we won't forget it.
I was also touched by the message from our Panditji [Pandit Ravi Shankar] as he mentioned about Lakshmiji's talent and contributions to our classical music for over 50 years! As you know Panditji and Lakshmidi are both our [Surdhwani's] honoured Patrons.
Please convey our best wishes and much love to Lakshmiji. Special thanks to our dear Lakshmidi and you once again for inviting us for this momentous occasion.”
Mrs Maitreyee Sarcar HF FRSA
Company Secretary/Director
Surdhwani
W: www.surdhwani.org.uk

“For my first concert of Indian music, you introduced me to an artist of very high quality. Lakshmi Shankar has an exceptional voice. She uses it as she would an instrument with a thousand variations, moving from notes of extreme purity to surprising ‘take-offs’ (for someone like me who knows nothing of this music) and ever-changing rhythms. It was mesmerising! More than ten years after my first fascinating contact with India, I thank you for having given me the opportunity of renewing with the flavours of this fabulous continent. Jordane Noulet (France)

Lakshmiji with Dr. Khare, Director of the Nehru Centre of the Indian High Commission in London

“…a public speech, which was very well delivered and extremely well recieved. We did enjoy the performance very much…”
Amrik Kler (London)

Extracts from a press review by Manjari Sinha dated Friday 24th March 2006 in The Hindu (Delhi)
“Her graciousness and courtesy were astounding. She has not changed a bit and still accepts all the applause as God’s grace….
…In a career spanning decades, Lakshmi Shankar has given some of the most memorable performances that are etched on one’s memory.
One such recent programme was organised by Rimpa at Pandit Ravi Shankar’s residence a few months back in their regular baithaks, when she regaled the rasikas for hours together. …
…Her varied repertoire comprises classical Hindustani to Carnatic ragas, from khayal to thumri-dadra, from bhajans to astapadis, from Western to fusion music et al. Pushing the limit in her own way, the undiminished urge to continue is evident with her inner strength to transcend age…”