Shobha Gurtu
Vocal · None Gharana
Profile
Biography
Shobha Gurtu is an Hindustani classical vocalist. one of the finest Thumari Singers in India.
She was born in a musical family in Belgaon. Her mother Menaka Shirodkar was a celebrated Thumari singer and Kathak dancer in Maharashtra, basically hailing from Goa. Menakabai was trained in music under Ustad Dhamman Khan for Thumari and Ustad Bhurji Khan of Jaipur Atrauli Gharana for Khayal. Shobha Gurtu (Bhanumati Shirodkar before marriage) used to listen the Taalim of her mother from her childhood & she picked up singing at a tender age. Later she too got training under Ustad Dhamman Khan & her mother. For Punjab Ang thumari, she got some tips from Taj Mohammad Khan. ShobhaJi was also influenced by Begum Akhtar & used to follow her in Ghazal. She was friend of Kishori Amonkar, Jitendra Abhisheki & they had a great musical exchange!
She married Vishwanath Gurtu in Belgaon. After spending many years in Belgaon, she moved to Mumbai & spent her entire life in Mumbai, but traveled widely in India and abroad for concerts.
She used to present traditional Thumaris, with mixture of Lucknow & Punjab style. With singing, her specialty was slit & subtle 'Ada' (gestures)! She too composed some Thumaris, Bandishes and Ghazals.
Instrument Details
No description available.