Biography:

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 Padmashri award from the Government of India for her contributions to Indian classical dance and music.^[1]

Early life

Leela Omchery was born on 31 May 1929 in Mankoyikkal tharavdu in Thiruvattar in Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu. Her parents were Parameswara Kurup and Lakshmikutty Amma. 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.^[2] 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.

After early schooling in Kanyakumari, she obtained a graduate degree in Carnatic music from Women’s college, Thiruvananthapuram and continued her studies in Hindustani music at Punjab University, obtaining another graduate degree. Her Master’s degree came from Meerut University and she got her PhD in music from Delhi University.^[3]

Career

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.^[4]

Omchery was the President of Dakshina Bharati (a south Indian Women’s Organization) and Vice President of Swaralaya, Delhi.

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.

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).

Omchery also wrote some short stories.

Personal life and death

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.

Leela Omchery died on 1 November 2023, at the age of 94.^[5]

Credits: