Sumitra Guha

Vidushi Sumitra Guha is an Indian classical vocalist, known for her expertise in the Carnatic and Hindustani schools of classical music. The Government of India honored her in 2010, with the fourth highest civilian award of Padma Shri and in 2020 with a Sangeet Natak Akademi award.

Biography Sumitra Guha, née Raju, was born in Andhra Pradesh to a locally known singer, Smt. Rajyalakshmi Raju and R. G. Narayana Raju, a retired Deputy Collector, a native of Tirumala Reddypalle, Chitoor Dist. Her sister is the noted Carnatic vocalist and exponent of the sankirtana of gospel of the 15th-century saint-composer, Annamacharya, Smt. Shobha Raju and her grandnephew, is applied physicist and multi-disciplinary artist, Sreyash Sarkar. Guha took to music at an early age, receiving the first lessons in music from her mother. Her formal education in music started at the age of eleven from S. R. Janakiraman, a renowned music guru of Carnatic Classical Music. Having grown up in a small village of Andhra Pradesh, she wanted to become a doctor because of the nobility of the profession. Her father, having been transferred to Nepal, suggested that she join Visva-Bharati University, Shantiniketan. She carried on with her academic education, pursuing graduate studies in philosophy.

In his Khayal Vocalism: Continuity Within Change, Deepak Raja, the eminent musicologist writes about Guha's prowess as a classical musician:

In 1995, the Central Production Centre of Doordarshan made a documentary called Ek Mulakat based on the life of Guha. She has also done a music series by name, Tribute to the Musical Saints of India, was performed at various concerts in India. Directed by Guinness World Record® holder Rupam Sarmah, Grammy award winner Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and others. Recently, she has introduced a new project "Musical Journey Towards Rising India". This project is in collaboration with internationally acclaimed Indian Classical musician Rupam Sarmah, Co-Producer, award-winning singer, songwriter & Guinness World Record® holder who is based in California. Guha and Rupam Sarmah have represented India for Festival of India concerts in France (2018) organized by Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, and Embassy of India in Paris on the occasion of India's 70th Independence.

Guha founded the Sumadhur School of Performing Arts which continues to teach music in the traditional gurukula style.

The Government of India included her in the 2010 Republic Day honours list for the fourth highest award of Padma Shri.

Rave Reviews A Rare Breed ...The Statesman Andhra's gift to the nation ...The Statesman Now, there's magic ...The Times of India Sumitra Guha scaling new peaks ...The New Indian Express, Vijayawada The ebb and flow of melody ...The Hindu Soulful Soloist ...Metro Now Sumitra sang like the cuckoo bird with its honeyed voice in Spring ...Vanitha Jyothi Sumitra's instant victory of voice in Mauritius ...The Statesman It was obvious from the opening German Concert in Saarbrücken that it was a very special tour. The audience was so entranced that they did not want to leave the blissful atmosphere created by the musicians ...Konzertburo Report, Wegberg, Germany She unfolded the raga with the tender care one would bestow on unfurling the petals of a delicate flower awaiting full bloom ...The Hindustan times She is not merely better. She is different ...The Times of India Enthralled listeners with her technical prowess and devotional fervor ...The Hindu She is not only a versatile singer but also a gifted composer ...The Hindu Certainly, music has no barriers. The scintillating performance by Padma Shree Vidushi Sumitra Guha and Double Grammy Award Winner Robin Hogarth bore testament to the fact that when it comes to music language has no role to play ...The Times of India