Sangita Santosham
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Sangita Santosham
| image = Sangita.jpg
| birth_place = Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India
| origin = Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
| genre = Western classical music, musical theatre, jazz, gospel
| occupations = Performing artist, stage actress, vocalist, musician
| associated_acts = Ehsaan Noorani, Neecia Majolly, Sir David Willcocks, Keba Jeremiah, MMA Choir, Harmonize Projekt
| website = {{YouTube|c=UC9Sc6buCeYOUb6LsE5Szijw}}
}}
Sangita Santosham is an established performing artist based out of Chennai, India. She is a versatile and multilingual vocalist credited with singing a wide range of genres right from western classical music, contemporary jazz to Tamil hits. She is one of the very few artists from India formally trained in musical theatre as well.
Biography
Sangita hails from a family of renowned medical specialists. She was born in Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli, to Julia Santosham and Dr. Ravi Santosham, and currently resides in Chennai. She is the granddaughter of Dr. Mathuram Santosham, former Member of Parliament{{cite web |url=http://www.parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/comb/combexpr.htm |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20041228042002/https://www.parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/comb/combexpr.htm |archive-date=28 December 2004 |title=Combined List of Members of Lok Sabha |website=Parliamanet of India}} and founder of the Santoshapuram Tuberculosis Sanatorium and also the Lung Clinic, which is currently run as the Santosham Chest Hospital by her father and uncles Dr. Rajan Santosham and Dr. Roy Santosham.{{cite web |url=http://www.sanchest.com/profile.htm |website=Santosham Chest Hospital |title=Our Profile|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013230159/http://www.sanchest.com/profile.htm |archive-date=13 October 2011 }} Sangita has also trained in the areas of psychology and the behavioural sciences.
Musical background
Sangita's family has deeply rooted musical inclinations, the most notable members being her late grandfather who was the second Indian president of the prestigious (MMA) and her father Dr. Ravi Santosham who has been serving as its president since 1990{{cite web |url=http://mma.ind.in/president.html |website=The Madras Musical Association |title=President |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20110822073626/http://mma.ind.in/president.html |archive-date=22 August 2011}} and is also a member of the famous GATT Quintet{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Gatt-Quintet/146558478701900?sk=info |title=The Gatt Quintet |website= Facebook}}{{cite web |url=http://uecf.net/Gatt_Quintet_Flyer.pdf |title=The Gatt Quintet |website=United Evangelical Christian Fellowship Church |access-date=10 May 2024}}{{cite web |url=http://lifsgud.blogspot.com/2009/12/gatt-quintet.html |title=GATT Quintet |website=lifsgud.blogspot.com |access-date=10 May 2024}}{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203070324/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/11/25/stories/2006112501660100.htm |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/11/25/stories/2006112501660100.htm |website=The Hindu |title=At their musical best}} and the Male Voice Ensemble.{{cite web |url=http://www.classichymns.in/male_voice_ensemble.php |website=ClassicHymns |title=Male Voice Ensemble |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20120425051119/http://www.classichymns.in/male_voice_ensemble.php |archive-date=25 April 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/On+a+song/1/2394.html |title=On a song |website=News India Today |date=22 December 2007 |access-date=10 May 2024}} Sangita trained with Neecia Majolly, in musical theatre, western classical singing and music theory and was awarded the Majolly Rolling Trophy in 2009 for the best singer in Music Theatre. She also spent a year training in western classical singing at the Wanda L. Bass School of Music in Oklahoma City. She is an Associate of the London College of Music London College of Music.
Performance
Sangita is noted for her versatility, ease in handling the different musical genres and commanding stage presence.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Sc6buCeYOUb6LsE5Szijw|title = Sangita Santosham|website = YouTube}} Her live rendition of Sweeney Todd's "Worst Pies in London",Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211208/i51f7pPQhQM Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20160309180801/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i51f7pPQhQM Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i51f7pPQhQM| title = Worst pies in London | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} and Georges Bizet's "Habanera",{{cite AV media| url-status = live| archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211208/39CEsKEJqsM| archive-date = 2021-12-08| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39CEsKEJqsM| title = Habanera | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} as part of the MMA's "Over The Rainbow",{{cite news| url = http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/events/a-rainbow-in-the-music-horizon/article5233608.ece| title = A rainbow in the music horizon| website = The Hindu| date = 14 October 2013| last1 = Alexander| first1 = Deepa |access-date=10 May 2024}} is Sangita at her entertaining best. She has been a part of the Madras Musical Association choir since the age of 15.{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article1558483.ece |website=The Hindu |title=Sound and serenity |first=Deepa |last=Alexander |access-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203055744/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2011/03/22/stories/2011032250520300.htm |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=live}}[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGtoyA90OV8 His eye is on the sparrow – YouTube]{{cite web |url=http://www.ilaaka.com/page/17569 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214409/http://www.ilaaka.com/page/17569 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 March 2016 |title=Sunset Serenade by Madras Musical Association at Sir Mutha Venkata Subba Rao Concert hall in Lady Andal School |website=ilaaka.com}} She has given several solo performances at events staged by the MMA both in India and other countries.{{cite web |url=http://mma.ind.in/events.html |website=The Madras Musical Association |title=Events|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20140530192803/http://mma.ind.in/events.html |archive-date=30 May 2014}}[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED99IEfv7CA Part of that world.wmv – YouTube]{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article393641.ece |website=The Hindu |title=Nostalgic notes}}{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203055733/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/04/21/stories/2010042150320100.htm |website=The Hindu |title=Some enchanted evening |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/04/21/stories/2010042150320100.htm |first=Deepa |last=Alexander}}{{Cite web |url=http://mma.ind.in/images/musical-montage-2011-cmbt.pdf |title=Musical Montage 2011 in Coimbatore |date=1 February 2011 |access-date=6 October 2011 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065145/http://mma.ind.in/images/musical-montage-2011-cmbt.pdf |url-status=dead }} In 2009, she performed at the Vatican and the Pantheon in Rome, Italy as part of the International Church Music Festival.{{cite web |url=http://www.festcorps.com/coppermine/displayimage.php?pid=294&fullsize=1 |title=FestCorps Festivals: Click image to close this window |access-date=2011-10-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425051122/http://www.festcorps.com/coppermine/displayimage.php?pid=294&fullsize=1 |archive-date=25 April 2012 |df=dmy-all }} {{cite web |url=http://www.festcorps.com/coppermine/displayimage.php?pid=296&fullsize=1 |title=FestCorps Festivals: Click image to close this window |access-date=2011-10-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425051142/http://www.festcorps.com/coppermine/displayimage.php?pid=296&fullsize=1 |archive-date=25 April 2012 |df=dmy-all }} She has sung under world famous conductors such as Sir David Willcocks and Paul Leddignton Wright. In 2000, while still in school, she performed at the Sydney Torch Relay ceremony as part of the Sydney Olympics under Dr. Ronald Smart. She has sung for several international gospel artists on tour, the most renowned being Ron Kenoly, Don Moen, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound and Benny Prasad.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211208/Cj7_uDDBJXU Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20160308214244/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj7_uDDBJXU Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj7_uDDBJXU| title = O Holy Night! - Sangita Santosham & Benny Prasad (Christime 2013) | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}
Sangita is an active participant in musical theater. She has been invited to perform with various theater groups, and is noted for her outstanding rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" during Mellow Circle's "Magic of Musicals" show.{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article2295850.ece |website=The Hindu |title=A medley to remember |first=Divya |last=Kumar}}[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxqSTgpEEa4 Mellow Circle – July 2011 – Evita.MPG – YouTube] Her 2014 performance in Amrita Frederik and Augustine Paul's adaption of Les Misérables, garnered her handsome praise for her "perfect" portrayal of the courageous Eponine.{{cite AV media| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160307084216/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELXwkHXrYVg| archive-date = 2016-03-07| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELXwkHXrYVg| title = Sangita - On My Own | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news| url = http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/a-whole-new-world/article6164220.ece| title = A whole new world |website = The Hindu| date = 30 June 2014}} Her laurels include her pitch perfect and "convincing" performance as Sister Mary Robert in theatrical adaptation of Sister Act in 2015.{{cite news| url = http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/making-it-a-habit/article6848970.ece| title = Making it a habit | website = The Hindu| date = 2 February 2015| last1 = Zachariah| first1 = Preeti}} Her theatrical performances include those with well-known directors Michael Muthu,{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203063333/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/11/30/stories/2010113050200600.htm |title=Ringing in Yuletide |website=The Hindu |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/11/30/stories/2010113050200600.htm}} the late Mithran Devanesan, Brian Laul of the Wizard of Oz fame and also choreographer Jeffrey Vardon.
Sangita's musical repertoire includes her on-stage performances with other established singers. She has performed alongside popular artists such as Pop Shalini in Brian Laul's Wizard of Oz{{cite web |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/glam-sham/wizardry-show-048 |title=The wizardry on show |website=Deccan Chronicle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929075402/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/glam-sham/wizardry-show-048 |archive-date=29 September 2011 |date=29 September 2011}} and Sunitha Sarathy.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203055736/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/11/24/stories/2004112400110100.htm |website=The Hindu |title=Nostalgic notes |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/11/24/stories/2004112400110100.htm |first=Savitha |last=Gautam}} Her performances include duets with Grammy award winner Tanvi Shah[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdT-CWo1_L8 It dont mean a thing MMA choir – YouTube] and actress-singer Andrea Jeremiah. She has performed with Kalyani Nair, an accredited singer and composer, and also as part of her band, Harmonize Projekt.{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harmonize-Projekt/124062564336129 |title=Harmonize Projekt | website=Facebook}}{{cite web |url=http://www.highonscore.com/harmonize-projekt-the-drum-circle-scorenight |title=Harmonize Projekt & the Drum Circle @ ScoreNight! |website=Highonscore - Obsessive Compulsive Music |access-date=2011-10-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423181846/http://www.highonscore.com/harmonize-projekt-the-drum-circle-scorenight |archive-date=23 April 2012 |df=dmy-all |date=16 April 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.indivibe.com/event.php?eid=93535 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20120401094154/https://www.indivibe.com/event.php?eid=93535 |archive-date=1 April 2012 |title=Score Presents Harmonize Projekt & ‘Darbuka’ Siva Drum Circle Live |website=IndiVibe}}{{cite web |url=http://www.highonscore.com/harmonize-projekt-and-drum-circle-scorenights |title=Harmonize Projekt and Drum Circle - ScoreNights Best |website=Highonscore - Obsessive Compulsive Music |access-date=2011-10-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423181900/http://www.highonscore.com/harmonize-projekt-and-drum-circle-scorenights |archive-date=23 April 2012 |df=dmy-all |date=21 April 2011}} [https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=218156644867222&set=a.218156218200598.68220.152264388123115&type=3 Photo 1 via Facebook], [https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=218157181533835&set=a.218156218200598.68220.152264388123115&type=3 Photo 2 via Facebook], [https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=219754308040789&set=a.168431496506404.44913.152264388123115&type=3 Photo 3 via Facebook]
Sangita has also worked with other renowned Indian musicians such as Keith Peters,[https://archive.today/20120906202435/http://www.planetradiocity.com/musicopedia/music_band.php?conid=2131 ROXYGEN | Bands | Indian Music Bands | International Music Bands] Dr. L. Subramaniam, Keba Jeremiah{{Cite web|url=http://chennaionline.com/movies/gallery/NAC-Petite-Princess-2013-Grand-Final-Gallery/NAC-Petite-Princess-2013-Grand-Final-Gallery/20130919094354.col#39.html|title=NAC Petite Princess 2013 Grand Final Gallery |website=Chennaionline |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203012146/http://chennaionline.com/movies/gallery/NAC-Petite-Princess-2013-Grand-Final-Gallery/NAC-Petite-Princess-2013-Grand-Final-Gallery/20130919094354.col#39.html |archive-date=3 December 2013}}Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211208/7B3gQMN5MHM Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140523222930/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B3gQMN5MHM Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B3gQMN5MHM| title = Tamil Medley ft. Keba Jeremiah | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} and Edwin Roy.
Her recordings and videos have been commented on{{cite web| url = https://soundcloud.com/sangitasantosham/send-in-the-clowns| title = Stream Send In The Clowns by Sangita Santosham |website=SoundCloud |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041448/https://soundcloud.com/sangitasantosham/send-in-the-clowns |archive-date=4 March 2016}}{{cite web| url = https://soundcloud.com/sangitasantosham/hey-jude| title = Stream Hey Jude (cover) by Sangita Santosham |website=SoundCloud |access-date=10 May 2024}} and retweeted by popular artists Ehsaan Noorani and Keba Jeremiah. She performs in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu languages.
References
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Category:Indian women jazz singers
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)