Shobha Gurtu

Shobha Gurtu Shirodkar ( born February 8, 1925 in Belgaum, † 27 September 2004 in Mumbai) was one of the most famous Indian singers. She sang in the northern Indian Thumri style and was hailed as the Grande Dame.

Shobha Gurtu was initially trained by her mother Menekabai Shirodkar, who was a professional dancer. She continued her vocal studies continued at Ghamman Ustad Khan and Ustad Nathan Khan. She specialized in semi classical forms as thumri, dadra or Kajri. They also called Begum Akhtar and Ustad Ghulam Ali Khan bathing as an influence.

Shobha Gurtu was more than six decades active as a singer and has recorded records for the Indian market. In Germany in particular, a recording is available, the Walter Quintus has made 1990.

In 1989 she was awarded the Sangeet Natak Academy Award. In addition, she received the Lata Mangeshkar Puraskar, Shahu Maharaj Puraskar and the Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar. In 2002 she was honored with the Padma Bhushan.

One of their sons, Trilok Gurtu, is a well-known percussionist; they can also be heard on albums by him.