M. S. Sheela

M. S. Sheela is a leading classical vocalist, having displayed exemplary work in the field of devotional, light and classical music. An inspiration to many, she is a top rank artist of both AIR and Doordarshan. Known for her soulful voice, she is the first female artist, hailing from Karnataka to have a high rank in Carnatic and light music. She is also a trained dancer. Born in a musically acclaimed family, she received her first training from her mother, late Smt M N Rathna, a well-known veteran musician herself.

Receiving guidance and training under the supremely talented Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr. R K Srikantan helped the then young vocalist, perfect her skill and she soon engaged in musical performances both within India and abroad. She is a gold medal holder and completed her post graduation in Music from Bangalore University in Karnataka. She is married to Prof B K Ramaswamy.

MS Sheela had been honored with numerous awards, the notable ones being, the Rajyothsava Award by Karnataka state govt, the Ananya Puraskar and the Best Female Playback Singer award(1997-98) from Karnataka State Film Chambers, the best musician award for the annual music conference of Karnataka Ganakalaparishat (2000), the Outstanding Senior Female Vocalist award by Madras Music Academy(1997).

She is also a recipient of the prestigious Gaurava Puraskara of Karnataka Sangeeta Nritya Academy(2007). MS Sheela has very rightly been honored with tiles by renowned organisations including the titles of Ganakalashree by Karnataka’s Ganakala Parishat, Gaana Varidhi by Bangalore’s M A Narasimhachar Foundation, Sumadhura Sangeetha Dhruvatare, Sangeetha Saraswati by BhaktiBharati Pratishtana, Bangalore Nagarathnamma Prashasti, Guru Gauravakarini, Sangeetha Raga Amrithavarshini, Sangeetha Gana Kalanidhi, Sangeetha Vagdevi and Sangeetya Puraskara by Sangeetya Asthana, Sangeetha Sahyadri Shikharini by Shimoga Ramanavami Committee and Asthana Vidushi by Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam Dakshinamnaya Sri Sarada Peetham, Sringeri. The impeccable musician continues to perform enthusiastically on All India Radio and Doordarshan and has made special appearances on the Radio Sangeeth Sammelan, Trinity Festival, National Programmes among many others.

Being a trained Bharatnatyam dancer, she used to grace the stage with dance performances till the early part of 90's, after which she reverted to her first love, music. Her musical reign expands all over the world as she mesmerizes audiences in USA, Canada, Middle East, London, and Australia. Notably, her US concert tour had been sponsored by the state govt of Karnataka.

She also receives tremendous support from foreign organizations like Bhairavi Fine Arts situated in Cleveland, USA, Carnatic Music Circle in Australia, CMNA located in New Jersey and Nadatarangini Fine Arts in Washington, who readily hosts her concerts abroad.

MS Sheela has lent her melodious voice to many audio releases including Srividyadarshana, Ninada, Lalithasahasranama, Sharada Suprabhata, Venkateshwara Suprabhata, Soundarya Lahari Soundarya Lahari is a program has Raghavendra Rao, >> Read More... to Sadashiva Madhury(a series which was produced by All India Radio, Bangalore), which arouse a plethora of soulful, heart touching emotions among her audience. She successfully continues to achieve new heights in her field.

As an initiative to encourage classical music, MS Sheela has laid the foundation for Hamsadhwani Creations, along with her husband Prof B K Ramaswamy. This organization offers special events and programmes and competitions to search for and nurture young and fresh talent and also organizes a series of concerts collaborating with well-known vocalists. Palinchu Kamakshi, Haridasa Namana, Guru Raghavendra are some of its successful indulgences.