resume

resume :: Dr. K.K. Shukla

MUSICAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Was born with a gift for music, into a musical family. By age 13, had taught himself to play a dozen musical instruments. While studying in Dudley Grammar School, U.K., between age 10-13, consistently stood first in the music class among 30 students. Here, he learnt the basics of Western Classical Music and participated regularly in the School choir. Later, during undergraduate studies in India, was elected Secretary of Music Society in St. Stephen's College, Delhi. Continued to pursue music as a serious hobby and won several awards at music competitions and festivals.

While in Graduate School in the U.S., became interested in the methodical study of Indian Classical Music. Studied vocal music with Dr. Tapan Bhattacharya and the renowned Dr. Laxmi Shankar.

After completing his Physics PhD in the U.S., and while working as an Assistant Professor in upstate New York, he decided to pursue the study of Indian Classical Music full time. Putting aside his physics career, in 1992,  he became a full time student of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan at Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, California. Here, he studied vocal, sarode, and tabla.

In 1994, Krishna returned to India to explore the roots of Indian Classical Music, which extend into the folk musical traditions of the villages. He has traveled extensively thru rural India, studying, recording and performing folk songs. In particular, his research led him to the devotional musical compositions of poet-saints, such as Kabir, Tulsidas, Tyagaraja, Tukaram, Gorakhnath, Nanak, etc. In this, Krishna considers the late Pandit Kumar Gandharva to be his guru, ideal and inspiration. Krishna has given several acclaimed performances throughout India and abroad. His Kabir bhajans have been aired on national television several times. In 2003, Krishna toured the United States, giving 39 widely acclaimed concerts in 12 States. This tour was funded by ICCR ( Indian Council of Cultural Relations), a wing of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Krishna is an empaneled artist with ICCR, a rare privilege which allows him to be a "cultural ambassador" for India.

Between his musical forays into the mountains and villages of India, he lives in Varanasi. Studying, teaching and performing.

FORMAL EDUCATION

PhD (1990)                  Department of Physics and Astronomy, State University of New York at Buffalo, USA

M.S (1985)                  Department of Physics and Astronomy, State University of New York at Buffalo, USA

B.Sc. (Physics Hons.) St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi, India.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

1)   While studying at Ali Akbar College of Music in the U.S., Krishna taught voice culture and Indian Classical vocal music (1992-1994) and continues to do so till the present in India.

2)   Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Hartwick College, Oneonta, New York, USA.(1991)

3)    Visiting Lecturer at the State University of New York at Buffalo, Department of Physics and Astronomy. (1988)

4)   Teaching Assistant in the Physics Department, SUNY Buffalo. (1981-1987)

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

PhD Thesis:

In the general area of Solid State Theoretical Physics. PhD thesis entitled “Calculations of Electron Effective Mass based on 3-D Kroenig Penny Model with Application to Solids”.

Master's Thesis:

Research in the general area of Statistical Mechanics.

PUBLICATIONS

Research work has been published in the book “Quantum Statistical theory of Superconductivity” edited by Dr. Van der Meswe; Reidel Kluwer Book co.

AWARDS and HONOURS

1) In September 2002, was honored  by the ex president of India, Shri K.R. Narayanan at a function organized by the Modern School Diaspora Initiative.

2) Hon. Mention for “Excellence in teaching”, awarded by the State University of New York at Buffalo.

OTHER ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS

(1) Spiritual Ecology:

(2)was elected founding president of Gurukul corporation during 1989-1990. This is a nonprofit charitable organization formed by the Indian students at State University of New York at Buffalo that supports schools for underprivileged children in rural India.

LANGUAGES

Has a fluent knowledge of  Hindi and English. A working knowledge of French, Russian, Urdu and Sanskrit. Also studied Latin in Dudley Grammar School, U.K.

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