Sharada Eswar

Background

About Sharada Eswar

After graduating in Literature Studies, I trained to be a writer and a storyteller. Simultaneously I also immersed myself in south Indian classical music with Mrs. Sethu Mahadevan in Chennai, India. My musical leanings began at an early age while studying South Indian classical voice with Shri Krishnamurthy and veena (a string instrument) with Smt Subbalakshmi. I further honed this craft with various other artists, including the Bombay Sisters. I also took to many other styles including Hindustani Classical (Patiala Gharana) Rabindra Sangeet, Abhang and European. While maintaining my veena studies, my interest shifted to the voice. I began participating in various choirs too - highlights include my debut co-composing and arranging the school song for chamber choir. Also, it was around this time I developed an interest in storytelling and theatre and earned a berth at the prestigious Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, Ahmedabad, India There, I trained with the renowned Mallika Sarabhai. I was part of the team representing India at the India Abroad show in Paris and New York. I was also one of the three chosen by the Centres Culturels des Lions Clubs de Paris to present Indian culture in Normandy, France. Through the Artist in Education program of the Ontario Arts Council, I teach storytelling through shadow puppetry & music in the schools and Narrative Writing for the Toronto District School Board's International Languages Program. Awards • Funded by the Canada Council for the Arts (Playwright-in-Residence, National Arts Centre) • Funded by the Ontario Arts Council (Artist in Education, Access & Career Development, Theatre Creator’s Reserve & Multi-arts) • Funded by the Canada Council for the Arts (Artist in Residence) • Scholarship from the Centres Culturels des Lions Club de Paris • “Voice to Watch", India Abroad, Paris