Vidwan Dr. B. Umashankar

Carnatic Vocal

Vidwan Dr. B.Umashankar is a renowned international Carnatic Vocalist, a music teacher, composer, music director, publisher, research scholar, and an event organizer. He is a disciple of Needamangalam (late) V.V.Subramaniam, 'Sangeetha Kalanidhi' Bombay sisters Smt. C.Saroja and Smt. C.Lalitha. 

He holds a degree in commerce, and a Master's degree in Indian music. He is qualified as Lecturer in Indian Music by UGC - University Grants Commission. He has performed in USA, Canada, UK., France, Singapore, Nepal, Srilanka for his Music concerts, dance arangetrams, music workshops, LEC demonstrations, and is a regular performer at popular music festivals in Chennai and all over India for over 30 years. 

He has worked with several great international Bharathanatyam dancers including Adyar Sri. K. Lakshmanan, Smt. Chitra Visweswaran and many others, by singing and composing music, and penning lyrics for their dance programs. He also sings for Kuchpudi dance programs.

He has composed music and tune for:

• Bharathiyin Shanmatham - dance ballet by Dr.Vijay madhavan
• Koalaru Thirupathigam- dance ballet
• Namashivaya Vaazhga - dance ballet
• Abirami Arul - Dance ballet by Padma Shri Chitra Visweswaran

He has penned lyrics and directed music for:

• Guruve Thunai - dance ballet
• Ramanin Kathai - dance ballet

He composed music and tuned 13 Marathi abhangs for Vittala Dharshana - a unique Music Drama by Tapas productions.

He tuned more than 100 rare compositions of  Purandaradasa, Muthuthandavar, Maarimuttha Pillai, Bharathiar, Annamayya, Abhangs, Bhajans, Divyaprabandam, etc. in beautiful ragas.

He is conferred with many titles including

• Aasthana Vidwan of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, 
• Gaana Kala Sironmami, 
• Baala Rathna, 
• Gaana Varshaa, 
• Aasthaana vidwan of Bilaspur Sri chakra Mahameru Peetam,
• Sangeetha Guru Sironmami, 
• Sangeetha bhakthi pracharakaa, 
• Isai Thendral, 
• Naadha Kalanidhi, 
• Sangeetha Kala Medha Vilaasa,
• Gaanamrutha Saagaraa,
• Sangeetha Vidwath Sironmami, 
• Bodhaka Rathna, amongst others

He is conferred with Honorary Doctorate by Indian Virtual University, registered under Niti Aayog, Govt. of India, for propagating traditional Carnatic Music worldwide.

He organized a grand Carnatic Music event Chaturvedhamum Sapthaswaramum with 125 leading popular Carnatic musicians at Music academy Chennai in connection with the 125th birthday celebrations of H.H. Sri Kanchi Shankaracharya Mahaperiyava for Sri Sankarapuram Vedic village project.

He compiled a music book Abhyasa Gaana Bodhini with Sangeetha Vidwan P.B.Shrirangachari, with traditional voice practice lessons and new Geethams for Beginners of Carnatic music.

Dr. B. Umashankar is currently accepting new students.