Kasturi Shankar

Kasturi Shankar (Kannada:ಕಸ್ತೂರಿ ಶಂಕರ್) is an Indian singer who sings mainly in Kannada language. She has recorded few films songs in Malayalam and Tulu languages and many non-film songs in Konkani, Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu and Hindi. Shankar has sung different kind of songs like film, devotional, Bhaavageethe, classical and folk songs. In her 30 years singing career, Kasturi has worked with a variety of music composers, including T. G. Lingappa, M. Ranga Rao, Vijaya Bhaskar, Rajan-Nagendra, Gunasingh, G. K. Venkatesh and others. She has sung many duets with Dr. Rajkumar, Vani Jairam, Vishnuvardhan, Dr. P.B. Srinivas, T. M. Soundararajan, KJY and with SPB. Kasturi Shankar's popular film songs like Sooryana kanthige (for Padmapriya), Sri tulasi daye thoramma (for Jayanthi), Rangena halliyage (for Aarathi), Sri rama bandavne, Raamanu baralilla made her name household in Karnataka. Kasturi Shankar is a compulsory name in the history of Kannada cinema. Kasturi shankar was the big supporter and mentor of Sadhu Kokila at his initial stage as he said in his Weekend with Ramesh episode.

Kasturi Shankar was born in Mysuru on 1 November 1950 to Girijamma and J. C. Shankarappa. her father was a freedom fighter. She studied SSLC and trained classical music for few years. When Kanagal prabhakara shastry spotted Kasturi Shankar's talent, gave her a chance to sing in his film, called Bettada gowri. Then she went on to work with many super hit movies of Puttanna Kanagal, KSL Swamy, B. S. Ranga and with many others. Kasturi married to Shankar and they have two children. Now they are residing in Bangalore.

some of her songs are

• "gudi serada mudiyerada" (Bhagyajyothi)
• "sooryana kanthige" (Thaayige takka maga)
• "rangena halliyage" (Bilee hendthi)
• "raamanu baralilla" (Mithileya seetheyaru)
• "sri rama bandavne" (Paduvaralli panavaru)
• "sri tulasi daye thoramma" (Tulasi)

Kasturi Shankar has received many awards for her contribution to music. Few are

• Rajyotsava award by Karnataka government
• Atthimabbe award
• Kempegowda Award by BBMP
• Vachana sahitya sree award by Basava sahitya vedike

and many more..