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Shashank Subramanyam (was born Oct. 14 1978) is a Grammy-nominated exponent of the Bamboo Flute from India and specialises in Indian Classical Music. He is a recipient of the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knighthood) by Govt of France 2022 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi's senior award by Govt. of India bestowed by the Hon. President of India for the year 2017 at an investiture ceremony held at Rashtrapathi Bhavan in New Delhi.

He was a child prodigy and began performing from his age of 6 in 1984 for the general public and has performed for four decades.

Early life

Shashank Subramanyam was born in Rudrapatna, India, to Hemalatha and Prof. Subramanyam. His forefathers belong to Tirunelveli dist of Tamil Nadu. He was trained in Carnatic and Hindustani music by his father and by vocalists Palghat K.V. Narayanaswami, and Pandit Jasraj. Shashank is married to Shirisha, a Bharatanatyam dancer. He had no formal Gurus for Flute playing and was self taught. Shashank and Shirisha have a daughter Swara and son Samvit and live in Chennai, India.

Performing career

Shashank made his public debut in 1984 at the tender age of six. By 1990, he had established himself in the upper echelons of the performance circuit, captivating audiences in Adelaide, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. His career reached a significant milestone in December 1990 with a notable performance at Shastri Hall. The pinnacle of his early career came in January 1991, when the Music Academy in Chennai invited the then 12-year-old Shashank to perform in their prestigious "SADAS concert" slot, a testament to his exceptional talent.

Throughout his career, Shashank has collaborated extensively with a diverse range of musicians from India and around the globe. His collaborations include working with renowned artists such as John McLaughlin, Paco de Lucia, as well as orchestras like the Wuppertal and Shanxi Symphony Orchestras. He has also shared the stage with prominent figures like Ustad Shahid Parvez, Zakir Hussain, Ustad Sultan Khan, Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Ajoy Chakraborthy, Ronu Mazumdar, Rakesh Chaurasia, Ustad Shujaat Khan, and Debu Choudhury.

Shashank's performances span a broad spectrum of musical genres, including Indian classical, symphonies, jazz, films, and crossover projects. He has led various ensembles and appeared as a guest artist with notable bands such as Remember Shakti and New Jungle Orchestra.

In India, Shashank's impressive list of performances includes prominent festivals and venues like The Music Academy, Krishna Gana Sabha in Chennai, Sawai Gandharva Festival in Pune, Saptak in Ahmedabad, Doverlane and ITC SRA Music Conference in Kolkata, NCPA, NMACC, St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai, Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, Vishnu Digambar Festival in New Delhi, Chowdiah Hall in Bangalore, Harivallabh Music Festival in Jalandhar, Tansen Sangeet Samaroh in Gwalior, and Sankat Mochan Festival in Varanasi.

Internationally, Shashank has graced stages at prestigious venues such as BBC World TV and Radio, Radio France, Théâtre de la Ville and UNESCO in Paris, The Barbican, Cadogan, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Institution, Lowry in Manchester, Esplanade in Singapore, National Theater in Taiwan, and various festivals including Fukuoka Jazz Festival in Japan, Skopje Jazz Festival in Macedonia, Copenhagen Jazz Festival in Denmark, West German Radio, Tsuyama Jazz Festival in Japan, Adelaide Performing Arts Center in Australia, Fajr Music Festival in Tehran, Ravenna Festival in Italy, Helsinki Baroque Orchestra Symphony Hall, Sacred Music Festival in Alcobaca, Teatro Alameda, Festival Todas - Portugal and the Darbar Festival in the UK among many others.

He has been fortunate to perform for several Hon. Presidents of India beginning in 1992 for Shri. R. Venkatraman at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan.

In addition to his performing career, Shashank has been a dedicated supporter of SPIC MACAY for over three decades, presenting over 1000 concerts and lecture demonstrations at schools and colleges across India.

Awards and Honours

• Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knighthood) by Govt of France 2022
• Grammy Nomination for the CD album with Guitarist John McLaughlin for the year 2009
• Sangeet Natak Akademi’s senior award of Govt of India for the year 2017 bestowed by Hon. President of India
• "Kalaimamani" from the Government of Tamil Nadu - 2001
• "A Top" ranking in the All India Radio and TV
• Empaneled under outstanding category of Artists in ICCR, Govt of India (1995)
• "Kuzhal Arasar" in 2003 from the prestigious Kellogg School of Management, Chicago
• "Proclamation to the city" award by Cities of Tulsa and Memphis, USA
• Rotary Club awards of excellence 1995 and 1997
• Asthana Vidwan of Sringeri bestowed Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sringeri in the year 2000
• Direct A grade ranking at his age of 14 in 1993 in the All India Radio and TV

Style and Contribution

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Shashank Subramanyam is an accomplished musician renowned for his expertise in Carnatic classical music and training in Hindustani classical music. His exceptional talent allows him to skillfully blend patterns of improvisation from both music systems, making use of a diverse range of flutes that cover octaves not typically supported by the traditional Carnatic flute. Audiences recognize Shashank for his captivating performances characterized by intricate improvisations, melodious compositions, and pulsating rhythmic variations.

At the heart of his concerts lies the central piece known as Ragam Tanam Pallavi, thoughtfully composed by Shashank himself, showcasing his artistic brilliance.

Throughout his musical journey, Shashank has made significant contributions to the field of flute playing. He has introduced and popularized the innovative Multi Flute Fingering technique in Carnatic Music performances, inspiring flute players worldwide. His distinctive style, effectively reproducing the human voice and addressing challenges associated with traditional fingering techniques, has garnered much attention.

Among his notable contributions are the claw-shaped fingering technique, enhancing the ease of playing fast phrases and producing echo effects. Shashank has also dedicated effort to achieving faster taans across various octaves, intricate slides between notes and octaves, and mastering gamakas. In doing so, he has reduced stress on fingers by introducing easier finger movements. An integral part of Shashank's artistic expression is the harmonious integration of vocal and instrumental styles in Carnatic music, showcased through the sounds produced by the flute. His innovations include techniques for dual octave sound production, incorporating kalpana swaras and Tanam in a unique blend of vocal and instrumental styles.

Additionally, Shashank has honed advanced breath control and tonguing techniques, and he has introduced percussion-like fingering techniques on the flute. As a co-creator, he played a vital role in developing the Shashank style of Carnatic Flute, addressing age-old defects associated with the instrument.

Countries Performed

Shashank has performed and taught in prestigious institutions in India and over 50 countries around the world including India, USA, China, Canada, Macedonia, Hungary, Bangladesh, UK, France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Iran, Morocco, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines and Korea.

Discography

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He has released over 75CDs and 10 DVDs.

• Mukunda Malini 2022
• Vagadeeshwari 2022
• Ardhanareeshwaram 2022
• Silent Breath by Meditation House Records, Germany 2020
• Language of Musc, by Shashank, Mike Herting, Paul Shigihara. A live concert held in Cologne, Germany – by Riverside Records 2019
• Charukeshi – 2016
• Shashank with Sai Symphony – CD 2015
• Shashank with Sai Symphony – DVD 2015
• Seven Continents – Cross over CD with Shashank and Mikkel Nordso – 2015
• Spirit of Krishna – Shashank and the Folk Musicians of Rajasthan – 2012
• Shashank, John Sund and Phalgun – Trio Indo Danish jazz CD 2011
• Gambian Nights – India African collaboration with Kora Player Dawda – 2011
• RoR Touch Part 2 – a Fusion album – EMI / India Beat Records – 2008
• Sundara – DVD – 2010
• Mohana – DVD- 2010
• Sundara – CD – 2010
• Mohana – CD – 2010
• Live at the Playhouse – Copenhagen Jazz Festival – Jazz CD – 2009
• RoR Touch – a Fusion album – EMI / India Beat Records – 2008
• Floating Point with guitarist John McLaughlin
• Bindumalini
• Josh – Live concert held at Saptak, Ahmedabad – CD 1
• Josh – Live concert held at Saptak, Ahmedabad – CD 2
• Utsav – Celebrations of Indian Classical Music – Shashank by Music Today – DVD – 2007
• Enchanting Hamsadhwani
• Utsav – Music Today Masters of Indian Music – DVD intro by Pandit Jasraj
• Raag Lathangi
• Rasayana – Flute and Sitar in a dialogue – CD 1, CD 2
• Margazhi Melodies – Live Concert 2004 – CD 1, CD 2
• Kalarasana – Live in Chennai – CD 1, CD 2, CD 3
• MOKSHA – Salvation
• FLIGHTS OF ECSTASY – 2005
• INTUITVE MINDS- The lute and Bamboo in a dialogue – CD 1, CD 2
• KRISHNA SMARANAM – DVD
• ANUBHAV – DVD
• KRISHNA SMARANAM – CD 1, CD 2
• PULLANKUZHAL OF SOUTH INDIA – KING RECORDS
• MUSIC ACADEMY, MADRAS – CD 1, CD 2, CD 3
• SAMMILAN – North and South in a melting pot
• MEDITATIVE SPELL
• THE BAMBOO IN A DIALOGUE
• MOONLIT MELODIES – MUSIC TODAY
• FLUTE FANTASIA – NAVRAS RECORDS
• REMINISCENCE OF BRINDAVAN
• MOMENTS OF ECSTASY – CD 1, CD 2
• God has many names – Swiss text book CD – 1995
• Endless beauties from the Bamboo – 1994 – CD 1, CD 2
• Melodies from the Bamboo Flute – CD 1 and 2 – 1993
• Melodies from the Bamboo Flutes – Album 2 – 1992
• Melodies from the Bamboo Flutes – Album 1 – 1991

References

1. "Archive News". The Hindu.
2. "The Hindu : Friday Review Chennai : On an innovative journey". www.shashank.org.
3. "Review - Shirisha Shashank – a Bharatanatyam review - Aneal Krishnamurthy". www.narthaki.com.

• Living people
• 1978 births
• Indian flautists
• Kannada people
• People from Hassan district
• Venu players
• Indian male classical musicians
• Musicians from Karnataka