About

Born in a music loving family from Nagpur, Ms. Shubhangi Chaudhari now-known-as Mrs. Veena Shukla is the most gifted and accomplished vocalist of Kirana Gharana from the present generation. She has already been acclaimed as a worthy torch bearer of the rich Kirana Gharana, a heritage established by the late Gayan Samrat Abdul Karim Khan Sahib. Veena took her first lessons in music from her Guru Smt. Tara Vilaychi & Dr. Balasaheb Purohit and later she had a privilege to receive Talim of Kirana Gharana from Padma Vibhushan Dr. Prabha Atre, under whose guidance she enriched her dimensions of Kirana Gharana tradition. Important tips and training for two years from Smt. Padma Talwalkar were very useful to her. She is honing her skills of Khayal singing under the guidance of Dr. Vikas Kashalkar. She has passed all her music examinations in first division. She has completed her M.A. (Music) from Nagpur University and M.Phil. (Music) from S.N.D.T. University of Mumbai. She has been awarded Gold medal by Nagpur University for securing highest number of marks in Music. She has completed her Sangeet Prabhakar from Allahabad Sangeet Samiti. She is a B+ artist on All India Radio, Mumbai. She is also an ICCR Artist. Her dissertation on the subject “Raga Sangeetatil Bandishinche Mahattva, Karya Ani Vyapakta”, guided by Dr. K.G.Ginde, indicates her deep study in the theory of classical music.

Veena has been endowed with melodious voice, tonal purity, clarity and incredible virtuosity. Veena who is gifted with a commendable voice, renders “Raags” with technical perfection and also renders “Thumri”, “Dadra”, “Kajri” and other light semi-classical songs with the same flare, rare imagination, ease and melody. Her versatility besides her mastery over “Khayal” is exemplary in her singing of Bhajans, Abhangas, Natya Sangeet, Marathi Bhavgeet & Hindi Ghazals. Veena's melodious voice holds her audience spell-bound in admiration. Her programs like “ Raag Ek – Rang Anek” Raag based Bhav Geet and Film songs, "Kauns Ke Prakar" based on Film songs and "Kirana Gharanyatil Gayakanche Abhang Ani Bhakti Geete" a program based on Devotional music, have been highly appreciated and applauded. Veena also runs her music institute "Swarashree Sangeet Vidhyalay", affiliated to Swaramayee Gurukul of Dr Prabha Atre foundation where she imparts music lessons to students. She is the “Konkan Pranta” music co-ordinator of Sanskar Bharati, an association responsible for promoting talented artists, organizing cultural events and spreading Indian Art and Culture in India and overseas.

Her work has earned her recognition both in India and internationally, especially through her contributions to two highly acclaimed musical CDs. One of them, Yoddha Sannyasi, is based on the life of Swami Vivekananda, while another, Geet Krishnayan, portrays the life of Lord Shree Krishna. These musical works demonstrate her extraordinary artistry, creativity, and commitment to popularizing Indian classical music on a global scale.

As a dedicated teacher, Veena not only imparts her knowledge of music to her disciples, but she also contributes to the scholarly and practical understanding of Indian classical music. Through her performances,lectures-demonstrations, and writings on the subject, she fosters a rich tradition. Veena has been awarded the B High grade by All India Radio (AIR), which attests to her exceptional skills. She regularly participates in programs broadcasted on Akashwani and Doordarshan, further promoting Hindustani classical music to a wide audience.

In addition to her solo performances, she has played significant roles in musical dramas like Sangeet Swayamvar, where she portrayed lead female characters. Her versatile contributions to the performing arts have solidified her standing in both traditional and modern representations of Indian classical music.

Veena's teaching legacy is equally impressive. With numerous disciples spread across various countries, she has made substantial efforts to spread Hindustani classical music beyond geographical and cultural boundaries. These disciples, deeply dedicated to learning the art form, play a crucial role in bridging cultural gaps and fostering a global appreciation for Indian classical music. Through their commitment, they not only uphold the rich tradition but also ensure its continuity in diverse regions worldwide.

Testimonials

I have been learning Hindustani classical singing from Veenaji for about 4 years now. Veenaji is a wonderful guru. She is patient and understands the needs and ability of the student. She has a knack for teaching music to novices to expose them to the world of Hindustani music. She has taught me alankars, different ragas both with chota kayal and bada khayal along with aalap and taane.
To teach a beginner and bring them to understand the intricacies of Hindustani music is no small task.
In addition to singing Veenaji also explains the theory behind the different ragas and the various taals that go with the singing. She also imparts knowledge of the background of Hindustani music along with it’s history and the different lineages and masters who have contributed to Hindustani music. I cannot thank Veenaji enough for enhancing my understanding of Hindustani music. Her contribution to my musical development despite being far away from India is truly commendable! Read More

Rupal Thaker (California, USA)

I have been learning Hindustani Classical with Veena mam for the past ten years. I began singing with her in Mumbai with in person classes wherein she taught me the various raags in grave detail. Not only did she teach me the bandish itself; she would put in the extra effort to make sure I knew the raag and its identifying factors, what makes it special.
I realized how much Veena mam loves music, and she and her teaching made me love music too.
Now despite having moved to the US for further studies, she supports me with virtual music classes where she continues to teach me with the same enthusiasm and love for singing. I am so grateful for her as my teacher, because even from so far away, her teaching reminds me of home and allows me to teach people across different cultures about mine. Read More

Anishka (Purdue, USA)

I live in California, USA and have the good fortune of connecting with Veenaji my guru, from whom I have been learning Hindustani classical singing from the past 4 years. When I first started with Veenaji, I did not know anything about sur and swaras. Veenaji started teaching me with basics, teaching me the seven swaras. She then moved on to teaching ragas along with their Aalap’s and taan.
Veenaji is very good at teaching music and always encouraging despite many stumbling blocks with my learning. Veenaji, continues to help me evolve in Hindustani music. I am so thankful to her for all her efforts and support in my progress. Read More

Lovely Makaalikal (California, USA)

I have been learning Hindustani Music from Guru Veenaji . When I started, I was unfamiliar with classical music. Guruji started from Basic Sur and Taal . She has been very patient and her passion to teach music is comandable. She identifies my strength and weaknesses and pursues me to push my limitations in learning good music with perfection.
Myself living in California, distance has never been a concern. Music has got us closer. Thanks Guruji for believing in me and keep blessings us to learn Music. Read More

Urvashi(LA, USA)

I started to play flute at the age of 47 yrs and was quite slow to learn and pick up details and nuances of playing flute and that of Hindustani Classical Music. After learning basics of playing flute with a flautist, I started my further learning with Madam Veena Shukla, at her residence.
Not only I learned finer details of ragas and bada khayal, but she, very enthusiastically, taught semi- classical songs and even fine tuned my playing of the instrument! It was a one-to-one class, with one hour or more of intenseand exhaustive learning. At the end of each class, there was a sense of satisfaction and pleasure in learning more from her vast knowledge of the subject, she being a M.Phil in music and senior disciple of the great Prabha Atreji and also top singer in her own right with consistent performances on stage and on AIR. I learned a lot and successfully completed Visharad , with a First Class, under her guidance. I will always remain grateful to her. I recommend her to anyone , who wants to learn music , vocal or instrumental, and be a satisfied student,  like me. Read More

Dr Dhiraj Shah. (Renowned Urologist - Mumbai) .

My daughter started learning from Veena ji when she was 9years old. It has been 3 plus years. Though my daughter did not know hindi, veena Ji has been very patient and caring with her. Today she not only learnt the raag’s and Taan’s but also hindi in the process. My daughter loves Veena Ji. We as parents feel very lucky
to have found her and appreciate her dedication and love for Hindustani classical. Veena ji has all that one would want in a teacher. Read More

Ushma Shah. (Chicago, USA) .

वीणाताई , या नावातच संगीत आहे "विणेच्या झंकारासारखे सूर असलेली अशी गोड आवाजाची गायिका" या माझ्या संगीत गुरु आहेत . मी लग्नानंतर गाणे शिकणे सुरू केले त्याची सुरुवात अकोला या शहरातून झाली नंतर यजमानांची बदली होत असल्याने खंडित स्वरूपात अनेकांकडे मी गाणे शिकले. मध्ये काही काळ गाणे थांबले होते तेव्हा एका नाट्यगीत शिबिरात वीणाताई भेटल्या व त्यांना भेटून ऐकून पुन्हा गाणे सुरू करावेसे वाटले त्यांनीही होकार दिला मी गाणे शिकले होते काही परीक्षाही दिल्या होत्या परंतु माझे गाणे तितके प्रभावी झाले नव्हते. वीणाताईंकडे गेल्यावर मला अनेक गोष्टी त्यांनी शिकवल्या खरं गाणं काय असतं
रियाज कसा करायचा आवाज कसा सुधारायचा हे सगळं त्यांनी मला शिकवलं शिकवण्याच्या बाबतीत अशा कडक असल्या तरी शिष्य जसा असेल त्याप्रमाणे त्याला त्या शिकवतात मी त्यांच्याकडे संगीत विशारद प्रथम वर्गात उत्तीर्ण झाले याचे सर्व श्रेय मी त्यांनाच देईन त्यांनी माझ्याकडून करून घेतलेल्या मेहनतीमुळेच हे शक्य झाले
आपल्या शिष्यांनी पुढे यावे स्पर्धेत भाग घ्यावा अभ्यास व रीयाज करून परीक्षा द्याव्यात असे त्यांना वाटते वीणाताई तसे प्रोत्साहनही विद्यार्थ्यांना देतात मला तर खूप वेळा साथी साठी बाहेर मैफिलीना ही घेऊन गेल्या आहेत .
वीणा ताईंच्या स्वभावात एक आणखी छान गुण आहे तो म्हणजे नव्या जुन्याचा योग्य संगम.गाण्याच्या बाबतीतही फार जुनाट विचार नाहीत त्यांचे.सगळ्यांचे ऐका तुमच्या गळ्याला शोभेल असे गा.त्यांच्या गळ्यात मात्र किराणा घराण्याचे गाणे शोभून दिसते.गोड आलापी करतात.
वीणाताई डॉक्टर पद्मविभूषण गान सरस्वती प्रभाताई अत्रे यांच्या शिष्या आहेत. वीणाताईंच्या गाण्यात देखील एक स्वर्गीय स्वर आहे त्यांनी स्वतः गाणे शिकताना खूप मेहनत घेतली आहे म्हणून शिष्यांनीही मेहनत घ्यावी रियाज करावा तेव्हाच गाणे फुलेल असे त्यांना वाटते . त्यांच्याकडे शिकताना बरेच वेळा गरम गरम नाश्ता माझे आवडते ताजे दही त्या मला द्यायच्या. त्यांची मुलगी मधुरा यु एस मध्ये असते तीही खूप छान गाते .मुलगा अवनिश इंजिनिअर असून तोही उत्तम गातो मला त्यांच्याकडे घरातील मंडळींकडून खूपच प्रेमाची वागणूक मिळाली. वीणाताईनी स्वतःचे घर मुलं नवरा घरातील जेष्ठ मंडळी सगळे सांभाळून तसेच सामाजिक संस्थेतही काम करून स्वतःचे गाणे पुढे नेले याबद्दल तर मला त्यांचा खूपच आदर वाटतो अखिल भारतीय संघटनेच्या संस्कार भारती च्या कोकण प्रांत विभागात त्यांनी संगीत प्रमुख म्हणून काम केले आहे आजच्या पिढीला वीणाताई हे एक उत्तम आदर्श आहे आमचे गाणे सुधारावे म्हणून दर महिन्याला एक संगीत सभा घ्यावी यासाठी त्यांनी खूप प्रयत्न केले. अजूनही करतात प्रसंगी स्वतःचे पैसे वेळ खर्च करून शिष्यांसाठी हे सर्व करतात मला काही वर्ष का होईना त्यांच्याकडे शिकता आले त्यांचा सहवास मिळाला हे मी माझे भाग्यच समजते मी सौ वीणाताई शुक्ल यांची शिष्या आहे हे अभिमानाने सांगते. आपल्या आयुष्यात येणारी माणसे कधी केव्हा व किती काळ यावीत हे सर्व ईश्वराधीन आहे माझा यावर विश्वास आहे . वीणाताईंबद्दल मी असेच म्हणेन दिव्यत्वाची जेथ प्रचिती तेथे कर माझे जुळती. Read More

सौ मधुरा महेश नाईक. (मुंबई) .

A Journey Through Hindustani Classical Music: My Experience with Prof. Veena Shukla
For over two decades, I have had the privilege of studying Hindustani classical music under the esteemed guidance of Professor Veena Shukla. It is with immense joy that I share my journey, culminating in the completion of my Sangeet Visharad—a milestone that embodies not only my dedication but also the profound teachings imparted by Prof. Veena.
Throughout these twenty years, my learning has encompassed an extensive array of raags, raagdari, and various technical elements, including gamakas, layakari, and bol-alaap. These concepts have not only enriched my understanding of classical music but have also seamlessly enhanced my performance in genres such as sugam sangeet and contemporary music.
What sets Prof. Veena apart is her unwavering commitment to her students' holistic growth. She emphasized that our studies were not merely a pursuit for certification; rather, they were an exploration of music’s deeper essence, intended to resonate throughout our lives. It took me twelve years to complete my Visharad, a testament to her insistence on mastering the art rather than merely accumulating accolades.
In a world where commercialism often overshadows genuine learning, finding a teacher who prioritizes knowledge and skill development over certificates is a rarity. I consider myself fortunate to have found such a mentor in Prof. Veena. Her dedication has not only refined my vocal abilities but has also equipped me with a profound understanding of the fundamental principles of singing, whether performing raagas or interpreting modern compositions.
I am deeply grateful for the invaluable lessons and insights I have gained during this journey. Prof. Veena’s mentorship has truly given my soul a musical touch, nurturing my passion and guiding my artistic expression. Read More

Madhura. (California, USA) .
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