Shambhavi Das

My Story

Early Days

          Back in India, Music has been the crucial part of my life, since I was five years old.

My mother is a musician too and she groomed me tediously to make me a good singer. Since my childhood, my mother incorporated me to her teacher, Mr.Kashalkar, who has always been my source of guidance, inspiration, and knowledge in this field.

After being mentored by him and clearing all Prayag (prestigious north-Indian classical level) Exams for 10-12 years approximately, I moved to Delhi for my higher studies in music.

College

Moving to Delhi was my jump start move in music, as I found myself competing among the highly talented students and veteran teachers and maestros. In Delhi, I started my training with my professor's wife, Dr. Soma Singh, who helped me in developing the nuances, improvisations, and minute variations in the raga system.

During my Graduation, Masters, M.Phil and PhD in Indian music, I have been fortunate to achieve the guidance from many great maestros like Pt. Vidyadhar Vyasa, etc..

I fell in love with the tunes and peculiarities of different ragas and perceived them as my mental healer. 

PHD Experience

          Doctorate in music was the time, when I actually perceived music as a source of spiritual, emotional, physical  development of my persona. I enjoyed music without any pressure or exam fear. Research field works, meeting eminent musicians, gaining knowledge regarding my thesis rejuvenated me from within and made me feel on the top of the world. 

          Waking up at four, doing yoga for the voice warm ups, daily practices starting with OM rendition, followed by swarabhyasa, raga rendition, imbibed an overwhelming confidence and contentment in my personality. 

          Swar practices, Alankaras and different raga development engages our brain and mind, which unleash the brain knots and enhances the brain-mind-soul functionality. Music imparts optimism and mindfulness in our trait and subsides negativity like ego, sorrow. 

Advice

          In my experience, Indian vocal music including raga system helps us in tranquilizing our overall attitude, behavior, and thought process, focus etc.. My advice to all the students, even for those who are not interested in music, is that they should surely give it a try and take this course,

in order to rekindle and transcend their lifestyle.