Kamala Bose

Kamala Bose (1947–2012) was an eminent vocalist in Hindustani Classical music based in Allahabad. She hails from a family that is deeply rooted in the field of performing and fine arts and boasts of a rich musical tradition.

She was initiated in this field by her father, the late J.D. Mazumdar, a reputed violinist and music composer with the All India Radio (AIR). It was from him that she received her initial training, and at the age of 5, she already started humming the songs she would hear.

In 1969, she came under the tutelage of the renowned vocalist, musicologist, and teacher Pt. Ramashreya Jha of the Bhatt Gharana.

In 1977, she completed her master's degree from the Allahabad University in Allahabad with a distinction in Music Vocal. She specialized in classical vocal or the khayal form, light classical i.e., Thumri, Dadra, Chaiti, Hori, Kajari, etc., with great finesse.

Bose commenced her musical journey in 1970 with All India Radio, Allahabad as an "A" grade artist of classical vocal music. Subsequently, she was appointed as a panelist on the Audition Board by The Director General, A.I.R, New Delhi.

Bose's proscenium experience was wide and impressive. She traveled and performed extensively in both India and abroad, participating in many major concerts, including the Sadarang Music Conference, Kolkata, Haridas Sangeet Sammelan, Mumbai, Sankat Mochan, Varanasi, Bangalore Sangeet Sabha, to name a few.

The A.I.R. in 'Sangeet Shiksha,' a special feature of 26 episodes, and the Gyan Vani Program on the FM Channel, comprising 10 episodes, invited her to disseminate her knowledge of classical music. Through them, she unraveled and simplified both the basics as well as the complex aspects of the development of the ragas. A Head of the Music Department at the Allahabad Degree College, Allahabad, she had great command over the theoretical aspects of Indian Classical Music in addition to her mastery over the performing side. She successfully conducted many workshops and lecture cum demo sessions prominent among which are:

• Lecture cum demo at the Sangeet Natak Academy, Lucknow in June 1993
• Lecture cum demo at the Benaras Hindu University, Varanasi in February 2000
• Lecture cum demo at Guwahati in November 2000, December 2001, June 2003 and June 2004.

Kamala was married to Sri Bichitra Mohan Bose. The couple raised two children: a son, Jayanto Bose, who is married to Hema Bose; and a daughter, Joita Bose Mandal. She is also the grandmother of two grandsons, Suryaaditya Bose and Saarthak Bose.

• Apart from her immaculate renditions of khayal, bhajans, geet, and Bengali raga-based compositions, she earned a reputation as a complete musician.
• Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai, honored her with the coveted title 'Sur Mani.'
• Because of her genius and expertise in this performing art, the Director, Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam, and Bengali Social & Cultural Association, Allahabad have honored her.