She kept singing, till that fateful plunge
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
New Delhi : The night before her death she was performing at the India Habitat Centre. The next day renowned classical vocalist and composer Shanti Sharma fell from the second floor of her south Delhi home.
Music, for Sharma, who met a tragic end Tuesday, was a vocation she described as "god's gift". The 52-year-old vocalist, an exponent of the Kirana Gharana, was associated as a teacher and a research fellow with the Shri Ram Bharatiya Kala Kendra in the capital for 30 years.
"She set the musical score for 'Ram Leela', the Kendra's flagship production which is watched by hundreds of thousands of people every year. The production has completed 51 years," said Shobha Deepak Singh, director of the Shri Ram Bharatiya Kala Kendra.
It was said that Sharma was depressed after her daughter's "senseless death in an accident" a few years ago. "But she was perfectly normal before her death. She came to the Kendra, practiced late into the night and was preparing for recording. She took to music with renewed vigour after her daughter's death to overcome the trauma," Deepak Singh said.
The musician had also composed the music for "Durga", the Kendra's recent production, and was supposed to record the music of its new musical "Tahe Kabir" in a week's time.
"She was tall and beautiful and wore loads of bangles and jewellery," Deepak Singh said.
The vocalist, considered by many on a par with popular singer Shubha Mudgal, was a master of the slow and contemplative Kirana Gharana. Her forte was her mellifluous voice.
Sharma, a Tamil from the temple town of Tanjore in Tamil Nadu, spent her early years moving from one town to the other with her father who was in the army. Her mother initiated her into music at the age of 12 and she trained under Guru Sangameshwar in Hyderabad and later under Guru Amarnath.
She decided to take up music as a profession after earning a master's degree in chemistry. "I rebelled and decided to make it my profession," she had said in an interview. She later married a fellow student, who supported her in her mission. Since then, she held several jobs at the Bharatiya Kala Kendra. Sharma also honed her skills from Ustaad Mashkur Ali Khan, who now lives in Kolkata.
"Shanti Sharma was influenced by Ustaad Amir Khan. While releasing her first music CD about 15 years ago, she had actually said that the album was a 'love letter to Amir Khan'," recalls friend and fan Partha Dutta.
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About Shanti Sharma's death
This is an anonymous message that TwoCircles.net received and we are releasing it in the public interest. We are unable to verify the authenticity of this message.
Friday, April 25, 2008, 9:23 pm [EST]
Message: "he will try to prove i am mentally unstable."
I received this from Shanti Sharma about her husband Dineesh a few days before her "accident." The day of death the servants talked to her and she was fine. Not depressed. She told me once that she was afraid that her husband would do the same thing to her son that he did to her daughter.
"i wish i had not told you about his beating me. i'm trying to be very silent and each time i'm caged in a room with him for two hours at a stretch and he raves and abuses verbally i chant to myself om namashivaya.he has hit me again.he says i should not communicate. he threatens to take me like a boy again."
of course it will never be proved, but the truth is that Shanti either did or was ready to ask her husband for a divorce or at least her freedom because he only wanted to pursue his love relationship with his army buddy. The things she had to do after the husband would return bleeding from his anus every week from his "business" trips is disgusting. But she did them to preseve the family honor and keep the family together until her son could go off to England to study. She was the main money earner in the family most of the relationship.
About Shanti Sharma's death
In a system where anything and every thing can be bought for a price, it could very well be a murder or honor killing disguised as a suicide. These are a couple of questions amongst the many that people have raised about Shanti Sharma's death:
1. If she was trying to get a divorce, it would mean she was looking forward to living a full life,why would she commit suicide?
2. Going by the coverage on several other sites, far from being depressed she seemed to have had a beautiful concert the previous evening; had been regularly going to her institution and conducting classes for her students and was putting in a great deal of effort towards composing music and turning out great scores for the forth-coming ballet of her institution. It is uncharitable to suggest that some body so clear in her mind, thoughts and vision would suddenly contemplate suicide.
3. Reports about this tragedy suggest that she was 'depressed' about her daughter's sudden death in 2002, almost six years ago. But when you read up about her performances over these years, it appears that her career graph as a musician was going great with an upward swing. This is totally in-consistent with some body in depression.
4. If this report is to be believed and her husband does indeed have this kind of sexual orientation, it is no surprise that she must have felt violated and was wanting to opt out. Her walking out of the marriage would have had the potential of leaving her husband widely exposed. Could this be the reason for the tragic event?
pecious, unsubstantiated, and outright libellous
The above response is not only specious and unsubstantiated in its reasoning, but outright libellous as well. It sicksens me to the core.
Apart from anon's ipse dixits, there is nothing to suggest Shantiji's career was on an 'upward' swing (surely an extravagant phrase). A google search reveals nothing at all by way of notably prestigious concert engagements, or CD releases. Merely attending classes regularly or giving 'beautiful' concerts does not conclusively refute the possibility of depression.
Anons 1 and 2 have claimed lots of marital discord existed. That itself could be a cause for depression! Not to mention her daughter's death!
> She was the main money earner in the family most of the relationship.
This is an outright lie. Dinesh Sharma is a prosperous businessman, with considerable ancestral property as well.
> If she was trying to get a divorce, it would mean she was looking forward to living a full life
Let me turn this around. Giving her a divorce would have only furthered Mr Sharma's objectives.
> Her walking out of the marriage would have had the potential of leaving her husband widely exposed.
Indeed? More exposed than murder would? Would a divorce have been any more humiliating than the aspersions being cast on him? And that too on entirely speculative grounds, when no concrete indication of foul play has been identified?
Indeed, that last point is the most worrisome. Tongues are wagging, and wagging viciously as well as anonymously, at a time when nothing questionable has been unearthed. Even about Mr Sharma's alleged sexual preferences, we only have some third-hand account to rely on.
I better add a postscript - I have no link with either Sharma, and especially hold no brief for Mr Sharma. It's just the outrageous nature of the above two comments that have led me to respond.
May the truth prevail....
The postscript and the militant posture taken in the main text are obviously contradictory in nature. While (obviously) taking sides with the Mr among the Sharmas, Abhik Majumdar is questioning Mrs. Sharma's stature as an artist, a person and the premise for the (obvious) unnatural death. For someone who (obviously) knows that the Mr among the Sharmas is prosperous and owns ancestral property. little does he know of the happenings behind the scenes. A true artist does not define herself by the number of prestigious concerts or CD releases (this crass wannabe need sickens me the core). Sexual preferences in today's world are acceptable but sexual perversion is not. Ever heard of male ego Mr.Majumdar? The lord and master needs to possess, thrives on conquest and does not take no for an answer from a woman who he thinks needs to be a trophy wife (you see it takes all kinds to make this nasty world that you and I live in). Ego does not let the lord and master to set her free and let go. Saving face therefore becomes an overarching, all encompassing and a blinding need than letting go. Think about this from the point of view of the sublime, sensitive, beautiful free spirit who refused to bow to the lord and master and who chose to live life on her terms and chose to go without killing her soul.
P.S: May the truth prevail. If the Mr is in the clear, may he prosper more and add on more ancestral wealth but if proven otherwise justice will have to be done.
Shanti Sharma - did she kill
Shanti Sharma - did she kill herself or was she killed? to believe or not to believe either theory?
The truth may never be out for all to see. Or it may be...
Points to note:
1. There are people who are ready to pour venom and cast aspersions on the so called "musical stature" of Shanti Sharma in defense of her husband on whom the suspicion seems to rest. How much of an authority is the author of the post on Shanti's musical virtuosity? Considering he has the number of concerts and the number of albums released as the bench mark, one thing that is sure is that he is not aware of the yardsticks used in the world of classical music to measure an artist's intrinsic worth. What is more disturbing is that the author of the post seems to be very sure of the "mental imbalanced" state of the deceased person. Never mind if her close professional associates and colleagues talk in glowing terms about this! How on earth do they know how good she was?
2. Abhik Mazumdar claims that he is not associated with Shanti or Dinesh Sharma. But he is confident about Dinesh Sharma's ancestral wealth and that he is a successful business man. By the same token very influential as well. In today's Mahan Bharat Desh some one who shoots and kills in broad day light and in front of witnesses can go scot free. What to speak of a "rich business man with ancestral property, ?" There were no eye witnesses in this case.
3. If Shanti was contemplating a divorce after25 years, there must be some compelling reason that her husband would rather not bring to the public eye.
4. last question - is there any body who is interested enough to take this up? Or would this be one of those "mysterious deaths" that will have "tongues wagging"? -
May Shanti's Soul rest in peace. I am sure she is entitled to this in the least.
> The postscript and the
> The postscript and the militant posture taken in the main text are obviously contradictory in nature.
Why do you say so? Is it so inconceivable that unsubstantiated allegations of the grossest sexual misconduct provoked me to react? OK, I'll throw you an open challenge. You know my identity (unlike some, I prefer not to hide behind this cloak of anonymity). If you want, I can send you all my personal details. You then try and prove that any significant link exists between me and Dinesh Sharma. If you can, I shall publicly eat my words. If not, you shall (a) reveal your identity in this forum, and (b) undertake to stop casting unfounded aspersions on the motives of people. I think that's as fair a deal as any, what do you say?
> Considering he has the number of concerts and the number of albums released as the bench mark, one thing that is sure is that he is not aware of the yardsticks used in the world of classical music to measure an artist's intrinsic worth.
Correction, I use concerts and albums as a benchmark of an artiste's _career_. It was in response to the statement: "it appears that her career graph as a musician was going great with an upward swing. This is totally in-consistent with some body in depression."
My reaction to this: There is very little to show that her career was on an upward swing. Ergo, there is little reason to believe her career was actually doing fine. And if so, it is not at all in-consistent (sic) with depression.
> How much of an authority is the author of the post on Shanti's musical virtuosity?
Where did the question of musical virtuosity come from? As I pointed out, the dearth of concert engagements and CD releases tend to bely claims of a burgeoning career. Top-notch artistes have had disappointing careers. There are enough examples in the musical world even - Munawar Ali Khan, Ishtiaq Hussain Khan, DT Joshi, Fahimuddin Dagar, Shamsuddin Faridi, Asghari Bai, and so on.
If you still insist on questioning my authority (to which I myself make no claims, you may note), please feel free to do so. But do keep in mind you are stretching my statement way beyond its original context.
> But he is confident about Dinesh Sharma's ancestral wealth and that he is a successful business man. By the same token very influential as well.
So what's your point here? Just because he's influential, we must believe he did kill her? If not, what conceivable relevance does your observation bear to the question whether he killed her or not? Granted, if it transpires he did indeed kill her, then his putative influence can help hush up matters. But you've gone to Step 2 directly, taking Step 1 for granted!
> Sexual preferences in today's world are acceptable but sexual perversion is not. Ever heard of male ego Mr.Majumdar?
Exactly! If sexual perversion is not acceptable, do you think unsubstantiated accusations of such practices are even slightly more acceptable?
Ever heard of proof, Mr/Ms Anon? Ever heard of the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt? Ever heard of common decency? And yes, ever heard of libel?
> Think about this from the point of view of the sublime, sensitive, beautiful free spirit who refused to bow to the lord and master and who chose to live life on her terms and chose to go without killing her soul.
I am prepared to believe this morsel of unabashed sentimentality, just so long as you proffer something, anything really, by way of solid evidence.
can we let Shanti rest in peace?
Dear Abhik and all others who have posted on this site regarding Shanti's death - I am her own sister and I have this request to make.
It does not matter any more what Abhik or any one else thinks of Shanti as a musician. It does not matter whether she ran her family on her earnings or not. Nothing matters now as Shanti is no more.
When she lived whatever she had to go through will no longer be relevant for the public at large. It is for her grieving family members to carry the memory of what might have been a happy life if the circumstances were different.
This is a sincere request to stop this mud slinging and slandering by taking stances on "either side" as it where.
I really appreciate all your consideration.
Geetha Jayaram
Dear Geethaji, My heartfelt
Dear Geethaji,
My heartfelt condolences on your bereavement. I feel very deeply - believe me when I say this - I can actually feel your pain.
The unfortunate part is that people who are responsible for this untimely demise will go scot -free, lead a happy prosperous life, as their conscience will not trouble them at all. Yes - may be when they see the first signs of doubt in her young son's eyes - when he begins to understand how things were in his mother's life - then perhaps they may feel some regret.
It is not a sin to not fit into a typical traditional family pattern. It is not an unforgivable crime to seek emotional solace elsewhere when all you get at home is contempt and often cruel behavior. You lived very far from her, so you may not know the indignities that she had to suffer. Even the little girl in that house had every body's permission to be nasty and insulting to her. Every body actually and openly accused her of being responsible for her young daughter's suicide. She had to lump that along with the pain of losing a part of herself.
If this is indeed a suicide, then she was driven to it inch by inch, relentlessly by the entire family, led by her hard hearted husband. Many who knew her know this is not a suicide.
I am ashamed to say that I am forced to remain anonymous as I dont' have the strength to withstand the repurcussions that will be unleashed on me if my identity is revealed.
I also pray for Shanti's soul - that it may reach the state of eternal peace. But I also pray that God dispense justice to those who made this happen.
Shanti's friend.
Dear Geetha I am deeply
Dear Geetha
I am deeply anguished at Mr Majumdar's statements.
Of course it is more than normal for a mother to go through bouts of unhappiness which Shanti Sharma emerged from . But the more potent question which begs an answer is 'what did Mr Sharma do to help Shanti Sharma come out of this frame of mind. Did he continuously give her tender love and care. In fact she came regularly in the evenings to the institute . As a parent of one of the students at the kendra we looked upon Shanti Sharma as Saraswati Incarnate and were shocked one day to find her asleep in the Kendra library floor-perhaps out of mental and physical agony and fatigue.
As a parent there was much that was said about Shanti Sharma's turbulent marital existence with her husband which I heard in the lobby.
I am the mother of a student and before her sudden death, i saw her in the Kendra regularly discussing matters and composing music for the new ballet with our Director-i was told.
The most important fact that I I want to tell you Geethji as to why I do not believe the suicide theory is that one day as I came out of the toilet Shanti Sharma told the Director in the lobby that it was her 'curfew' time and that she must leave.Perhaps this confirms the theory that Shanti Sharma's husband kept her on tight leash.
What else to say Geethaji. We all wept at the prayer meeting and could not believe that we will no longer see that tall overpowering personality in the kendra lobby any more. I will see the Kendra productions again and again to hear that beautiful voice.
May God give you you strenght in your moment of grief and may justice be done to memory of Shanti Sharma.