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Leela Omchery

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Leela Omchery
Omchery in 2004
Born(1929-05-31)31 May 1929
Thiruvattar, Kanyakumari district, Travancore, India
Died1 November 2023(2023-11-01) (aged 94)
Occupation(s)Singer, musicologist, writer
SpouseOmchery N. N. Pillai
Children2, including Deepti Omchery Bhalla
AwardsPadmashri
Kendra Sangeet Natak Academy Award
Marunaadan Malayaali Award
Fellow – Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi
Sangeeta Kulapathi
Sangeet Kovida
Kalaacharya
Sangeeta Sarva Bhouma
Websitehttp://leelaomchery.org

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

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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]

After early schooling in Kanyakumari, she obtained a graduate degree in Carnatic music from Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram and continued her studies in Hindustani music at Punjab University, obtaining another graduate degree.[citation needed] Her Master's degree came from Meerut University and she got her PhD in music from Delhi University.[4]

Career

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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]

Omchery also wrote some short stories.[citation needed]

Personal life and death

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Omchery was married to writer Omchery N. N. Pillai and resided in New Delhi. The couple had two children, S.D. Omchery and Deepti Omchery Bhalla, a classical dancer.[6]

Leela Omchery died on 1 November 2023, aged 94.[7]

Works

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English

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Title Publisher Year
Indian Music and Allied Arts (5 volumes) Sandeep Prakashan, Delhi 1990
Gleanings in Indian Music Sandeep Prakashan, Delhi 1991
Immortals of Indian Music Gyan Books, Delhi 1998

Malayalam

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Title Publisher Year
Abhinaya Sangeetham Bhasha Institute, Kerala 1981
Paadavum Padhavum D.C. Books, Kerala
Keralathile Laasya Rachanakal D.C. Books, Kerala 2003
Chinakkara Koothu Paattukal Mudra Books, Delhi 2008
Leela Omcheriyude Pathangal Poorna Books, Kerala 2009
Karuna Cheyvanenthu Thamsam Krishna D.C. Books, Kerala 2011
Vettam Mangiya Kovil Paattukal Poorna Books, Kerala 2012

On Other Topics

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  • Leelanjali (Short stories)
  • Jeevitham (Drama)
  • Parthivan Kanavu – Translation from Tamil
  • Katha Bharathi – Translation from Tamil
  • Aaharavum Aarogyavum

She is also credited with over 200 published articles.

Awards and recognitions

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  • Padmashri by Government of India in 2009
  • Kendra Sangeet Natak Academy Award for the contribution to Traditional Music (Sopaana Sangeetham) and popular music of Kerala in 2003
  • Marunaadan Malayaali Award for Excellence in the field of Traditional music and Arts, Delhi in 2008
  • Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship in 1990[8]
  • 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

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  1. ^ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  2. ^ "ഡോ. ലീലാ ഓംചേരി അന്തരിച്ചു". 1 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  3. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "Academic Record | PROF. DR. LEELA OMCHERY". Archived from the original on 20 January 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  5. ^ "Career | PROF. DR. LEELA OMCHERY". Archived from the original on 20 May 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  6. ^ "Noted musician Leela Omchery, who sang a tribute after Gandhi assassination, dies". Onmanorama. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  7. ^ Leela Omchery, classical music pioneer dies aged 94
  8. ^ "Classical Music". Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 24 February 2023.

Further reading

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