Shantala Subramanyam born in Bangalore, was raised in Chennai, heartland of carnatic music, renowned for its emphasis on improvisation on beautiful ragas within a highly evolved rhythmic vocabulary. She plays the Venu, a carnatic bamboo flute, an instrument with a warm sonority. Like many Carnatic musicians, Shantala started playing in early childhood under the tutelage of her father M N Subramanyam, himself an amateur musician and her brother Shashank, an eminent flute artist.
It was also her good fortune to be trained by eminent performers -vocalist Late Sri. Vairamangalam Lakshminarayanan and is currently pursuing vocal music training under Sri O.S.Thyagarajan and Sri T V Gopalakrishanan. She gratefully acknowledges the contributions of famed South Indian drummers Trichur Sri.Narendran, Patri. Satish Kumar and Parupalli Phalgun towards enriching her rhythm training, spread over a decade.
Owing to her diligent training and hard training, Shantala has been highly appreciated for her melodic presentations combined with complex rhythmic patterns. Today she’s recognized as an important and authentic voice in this demanding tradition and this view has been echoed by many music critiques.
A few quotes from the media: Sydsvenskan – Feb 2023 – “…. The flute playing was the absolute highlight of the concert. On her various bamboo pipes, Shantala Subramanyam can achieve almost anything when it comes to runs, timbres and even tonal slide, so typical of Indian music…. “
Feb 11, 2016 – The Hindu – “Shantala Subramanyam’s playing was nuanced and contemplative.”
Dec 15, 2012 – The Hindu – “ Shantala Subramanyam is a very gifted and well-trained flautist. Her concert at the Bhavan, Mylapore was thoroughly enjoyable on may fronts, particularly to the song selection and intelligent rhythmic variations.”
Feb 12, 2010 – Friday Review, The Hindu , Chennai says: “Poise and softness marked Shantala Subramaniam’s playing.
April 18, 2008 – Friday Review
The Hindu, Chennai edition:“Young Shanthala Subramaniam’s flute recital for exuded confidence given by her musical prowess and the diligent training she has undergone to master the instrument.”
Jan 30, 2009 – Friday Review, The Hindu, Thiruvananthapuram edition:”Flautist Shantala Subramaniam has attained a style that combines innovation with tradition.”
Shantala has graced the stages of many reputed organizations such as Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Narada Gana Sabha, Mudhra, Hamsadhwani, Rama Seva Mandali, Chowdiah hall Bangalore, to name a few and, in recent years is a frequent visitor to Europe, USA, Canada, England, Africa, UK, Ireland and Malaysia for concerts, workshops and lec-dems.
Shantala has performed for some of the important venues/organisations for world music including Museum Rietberg- Zurich, Orient Museum – Lisbon, UMEFOLK – Sweden, Improvised music – Dublin, RASA- Utrecht, Museum of Instrument Making – Phoenix, AZ, Arab Museum – Detroit, MI, BRAY JAZZ – Ireland, MUSICA SACRA – Marktoberdorg Germany, Sacrees journees – Strasbourg France, Charleston Arts Festival – Charleston, SC, MILAPFEST – UK , MAERZ MUSIK – Berlin, to mention a few.
Some of the successful collaborative projects include “ Meeting of Traditons – Scottish and Indian music”, “Raga meets Jazz, “ Vocal trio”, “Flute Lute duet – Dakshin” and many more.
Shantala and her group “Karnatik Trio 2:1” have performed for Danish schools through Levende Musik I skolen – LMS for 2 years 2024 and 2025.
Shantala and her group “ Greetings from India” have performed for sever schools in Sweden from 2011 to 2025 through Musik I vast, Musik I dalarna, Norbottensmusiken, Musik I Uppland.
Shantala has been invited to conduct master classes in Carnatic music and rhythms in – University of Goteborg – Sweden, Academy of Music – OSLO, Royal College of Music – Stockholm, University of North Carolina – Greensboro, University of Oregon –Eugene, University of Limerick – Ireland and Newpark Music school – Dublin, University of Omaha – Nebraska, Utrecht Music conservatory, Music conservatory – Trondheim, SDMK – Esbjerg Denmark, University of Stavanger, to name a few.
Shantala is also a well sought after teacher. She has been imparting training in South Indian vocal music, flute playing and reciting kunakkol [vocal rhythm] to scores of students from India and across the globe.
She has released a few CD albums titled “Jhenkara” – vocal music CD, “Singing Bamboo”, “Bamboo in Harmony” and “Dakshin” in collaboration with popular and competitive artists from the South Indian music tradition. The albums have been highly appreciated by critiques and audiences alike.
Website: www.shantalaflute.com Tele: +91 98405 39402