Shubha Mudgal en Ensemble

In Indian culture, there is a sharp contrast between traditional classical music and popular music. Between these two worlds gapes a vast chasm that is hardly ever bridged. Shubha Mudgal, however, is a classical singer and composer who is very highly esteemed, but who at the same time is also a pop star and an idol to Indian youth. She was born in 1959 in the northern Indian city of Allahabad to a family of high cultural standing. Music and literature were everyday matters, and she had the opportunity to learn from the best musicians and musicologists. As a result, Shubha became a virtuoso of the classical khyal tradition as well as a passionate researcher into vocal Indian music. After settling in Delhi, her career became more multifaceted. She composed music based upon mystical Sufi poems and rare Hindu texts. In addition, she also wrote popular compositions for film, including Mira Nair's Kama Sutra, and for exhibitions at the British Museum in London. Her pop music adventure 'Ali More Angana' even landed her on MTV India. Regardless, Shubha Mudgal remains primarily a classical singer with an eye for detail and refinement.