Featured BiographyImage source: StarsUnfolded
Quick Info
Date of birth15 August 1952
Age42 (at time of death)
BirthplaceMadras, India
ProfessionSinger, Composer
NationalityIndian
Marital statusMarried
SpouseL Subramaniam
FamilyMother: Lakshmi Shankar; Father: Rajendra Shankar; Children: Dr. Narayana Subramaniam, Ambi Subramaniam, Gingger Shankar, Bindu Subramaniam
Viji Subramaniam Biography
Viji Subramaniam (born Vijayashree Shankar; 15 August 1952 – 10 February 1995) was an Indian classical singer and composer known for her work across Indian
Early life and backgroundViji Subramaniam was born Vijayashree Shankar on 15 August 1952 in Madras, India, and spent much of her upbringing in Bombay. She came from a musical family: her mother was the Hindustani vocalist Lakshmi Shankar and her father was Rajendra Shankar, who was an elder brother of sitar maestro Ravi Shankar. Trained in the Indian classical tradition by her mother and other family members, Viji began attending concerts at an early age and was regularly involved in performances, sometimes playing the tambura on stage.
She completed advanced musical studies in the United States, earning a master’s degree in music from the California Institute of the Arts.
Career
Viji Subramaniam built a career as a vocalist and composer, working in Indian classical music as well as in world music and film scoring. In the early 1970s she began performing internationally, accompanying established artists in sitar recitals and appearing at festivals and tours in Europe and North America.
She was associated with Ravi Shankar’s Music Festival from India, joining the ensemble’s European concerts in 1974 and later taking part in the studio album produced by George Harrison. Recordings and tours with that project brought her into contact with a broad cross-section of musicians and audiences and marked her emergence as an artist active on the global stage.
Viji’s recorded work included contributions to film soundtracks. She sang on the 1988 film Salaam Bombay and later on Mississippi Masala (1991). Her musical interests with her husband included the promotion of what they described as Global Music—bringing attention to musical traditions from around the world and creating collaborative platforms that highlighted non-Western forms.
In 1992 she and her husband founded the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival (LGMF), created to honor her father-in-law and to present Indian and international artists together. The festival toured and presented musicians across multiple countries, featuring a mix of classical and contemporary performers and collaborating artists from diverse traditions.
Personal life
Viji married violinist and composer L. Subramaniam in 1976 in Bombay. The couple had four children: sons Narayana Subramaniam and Ambi Subramaniam, and daughters Gingger Shankar and Bindu Subramaniam. Several of her children have pursued musical careers. Gingger, for example, is a Los Angeles–based violinist and composer who recalls attending both classical concerts and rock shows with her mother.
Later years and death
Viji relocated to Los Angeles later in life, where she focused increasingly on family. She battled cancer and died in Los Angeles on 10 February 1995 at the age of 42.
Public profile
Throughout her life Viji was recognized for her versatility across Indian classical, world, and film music. Early honors included an award from All India Radio in 1972 recognizing her excellence in singing for radio and television. Her voice and musicianship were noted by peers and chroniclers of the period, and recordings and festival projects linked her to major figures in Indian and international music circles.
Legacy and later mentions
Viji’s work continued to be remembered in projects and media about the musical world she helped shape. In 2006 a documentary about L. Subramaniam included examples of her vocal work. The Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival she helped establish has continued as a platform where her children and other artists perform, sustaining the cross-cultural musical aims she promoted.
Latest updates
Viji Subramaniam’s recorded contributions to Salaam Bombay (1988) and Mississippi Masala (1991) remain part of her musical legacy. Her family has carried forward the festival and several children have active musical careers, performing at LGMF events in subsequent years.
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Recent Work
Provided vocals for the film soundtrack
1988Provided vocals for the film soundtrack
1991Co-founder of the festival established to bring Indian and international artists together
1992Career Highlights
- Trained in Indian classical music by her mother Lakshmi Shankar and other family members
- Performed internationally in the 1970s, including with Ravi Shankar’s Music Festival from India
- Contributed vocals to film soundtracks Salaam Bombay (1988) and Mississippi Masala (1991)
- Co-founded the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival in 1992
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Viji Subramaniam born?
Viji Subramaniam was born on 15 August 1952.
What is Viji Subramaniam known for?
Viji Subramaniam is known for singer, Composer.
What is Viji Subramaniam’s marital status?
Viji Subramaniam's marital status is listed as Married.
Who is Viji Subramaniam married to?
Viji Subramaniam is publicly listed as married to L Subramaniam.
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