Vidushi Shashikala Dani (, ) is an Indian Hindustani classical Jal tarang artist. She is one among the few musicians and presently the only All India Radio-graded female exponent of the Jal tarang. She is a multi-instrument artist with concert & teaching experience in Jal tarang, Harmonium, Sitar, Violin, Dilruba and Tabla. She is also an All India Radio-graded vocalist in the Gamaka genre of Hindustani Light Music.
Biography
Shashikala earned a Bachelor of Arts and settled in Hubballi, where she married Shri Arun Dani, son of journalist T.S.R. Awardee Lt. Shri Surendra Dani. They have a son together, the musician Sugnan Dani. After working at the State Bank of Mysore for 33 years, she is now recognized as a notable Jal tarang artist, striving hard to preserve, develop, and promote this unique instrument.
Musical career
Particularly fascinated by Jal tarang, she decided to dedicate and develop her classical music career with a focus on this instrument.
After much experimentation with the Jal tarang, Shashikala has imbibed both "Gayaki and Tantrakari Angs" in her playing style. She is trained in the Gwalior Gharana School of Hindustani Classical Music under her father and Guru Pt. D. R. Warang. She has also developed multiple other styles over the years. Her forte is "Layakari".
She is presently involved in mentoring young and passionate musical talents at her institute, Swara Naada Sangeeta Vidyalaya®.
Awards and recognitions
"Kitturu Rani Chennamma" Award by Government Of Karnataka – 2021
"Karnataka Kalashri" Award by Government Of Karnataka – 2020
"B Grade" in Gamaka (Hindustani Light Music) by Prasar Bharti – All India Radio – 2018 "B-High Grade" in Jal tarang by Prasar Bharti – All India Radio – 2002 "Gāyana Gangā" Life-Achievement Award by Padma-Vibhushan Dr.Gangubai Hangal – 2009 First at National-Level Inter-Bank Music Competition held in Chennai – 1991 Selected twice for scholarship by Karnataka Sangeeta Nritya Academy – 1982, 1985