Leela Omchery (31 May 1929 – 1 November 2023) was an Indian classical singer, musicologist and writer. She is known for her contributions to classical music and was a recipient of the Padma Shri award from the Government of India for her contributions to Indian classical dance and music.[1]
Early life
Leela Omchery was born on 31 May 1929 in Mankoyikkal tharavdu in Thiruvattar in Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu to Parameswara Kurup and Lakshmikutty Amma.[2] She started learning music from an early age under a Karnatic music guru, Thiruvattar Arumugham Pillai Bhagavathar, along with her younger brother, the late Kamukara Purushothaman, a classical and playback singer in Malayalam.[3] Hailing from a family of musicians, she had the opportunity to hone her musical talents under the guidance of her grandmother and mother who were musicians in their own right.[citation needed]
Leela Omchery was working as a Professor in Kamukara School of Music, Dance and Research Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala and as Professor and Principal of Trikalaa Gurukulam in Delhi.[5]
Omchery was the President of Dakshina Bharati (a south Indian Women’s Organization) and Vice President of Swaralaya, Delhi.[citation needed]
Omchery was an accredited Supervisor and Guide to Ph.D and M.Phil candidates from various universities including Delhi, Kerala, Calicut, Baroda, Nalanda, and Mumbai. She was also a member of the Selection Board of AIR, Doordarshan, ICCR, IGNCA, SNA (Delhi), the Ministry of Culture and IGNOU.[citation needed]
Omchery also worked as the Associate Professor and Head, Karnatak Music Section, Faculty of Music & Fine Arts, University of Delhi (1964–1994). She served as Editorial Staff of Indian Music Journal, Vageeshwari, (1975–1994).[citation needed]
Sangeeta Kulapathi from Kalaadarppanam, Kerala in 2003
Sangeet Kovida from Gayatri Fine Arts, Delhi in 2003
Kalaacharya from Akhila Kerala Maaraar Mahaa Sabha, Kerala in 1990
Sangeeta Sarva Bhouma from Astika Samaj, Delhi in 2006
Award for overall contributions to Music and Culture, Panchavaadya Trust, Delhi in 2006
Senior Fellowships/Associate ship for Research Projects from various prestigious national organizations like Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), University Grants Commission (UGC), Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts and Culture (IGNCA), SNA (Delhi).
References
^"Padma Awards"(PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original(PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
