Padma Shankar (violin and vocals) is an acclaimed performer, composer and educator, known for her evocative artistry and extensive training in the South Indian classical tradition.
She is the daughter of Uday Shankar, the elder brother of Ravi Shankar.
A senior disciple of the legendary violin maestro Shri Lalgudi Jayaraman, Shankar carries forward his legacy with a nuanced blend of melody, rhythm and emotional depth. With more than three decades of professional experience, she has performed extensively across India and internationally, both as a soloist and in major collaborative projects. Her work bridges classical, contemporary and global genres, making her a sought-after artist in both experimental and cross-cultural music settings.
With her band Vaadini, Shankar has performed for leading organizations and major festivals worldwide. She performed in the first-ever Carnatic classical symphony premiere in Singapore. As part of the Laya Project Live, she performed in a world tour to Australia and Israel. She also performed at the premiere of “Traveller" in Girona, Spain.
She has been honored with the prestigious Kalaimamani Award, the highest state recognition for excellence in the arts in India’s state of Tamil Nadu, along with many other accolades for her contributions to Indian classical music.
A dedicated educator, she has guided a significant number of students worldwide and recently launched Swaraved, a platform offering self-paced violin and vocal courses designed to empower independent learning.
Please note: Biographies are based on information provided to the CSOA by the artists or their representatives. More current information may be available on websites of the artists or their management.
