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Mala Ganguly

About Me

MALA GANGULY, Virtuoso Vocalist


To read Photo Caption, please hold your cursor over Photo.Mala Ganguly is a North Indian Virtuoso Vocalist, Music Director, Composer, SAG Actress, Visual Artist, Educator, Founder of the Ragmala Music Ensemble, and the Founder-President of the Surmala Music Foundation.

Contact MALA GANGULY

Cell: (626) 482-6080
Email: [email protected]

MALA GANGULY'S PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY

Pioneering the usage of Indian Classical Music in mainstream American commercials, Mala Ganguly, as a professional touring and recording concert artist, performs regularly throughout North America. She is highly acclaimed within and without the Indian communities for her golden "mellifluous" voice, virtuosity, & spontaneous vocal improvisations.
Her remarkable live performances give her audiences an inspired and impassioned experience of the heart and soul of the Classical and Semi-Classical styles of North Indian vocal music. She has been described as the "Darling of Portland", "The Nightingale of California", and the "Melody Queen of Los Angeles".
Mala Ganguly, was born of a musical family in Kolkata, Bengal, India, and began her first music instruction at the age of 5. Later, she was trained in Classical North Indian vocal by Pundit A. T. Kanan and Professor Amiya Ranjan Banerjee of the Bishnupur Gharana. She learned light music from great vocalists and music directors in Kolkata, such as Himaghna Roy Chaudhury, Sudhin Das Gupta, Satinath Mukherjee, and Hemant Kumar.
Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, the world renowned sarodist, founder, and president of the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Francisco, has stated, "…Mala Ganguly is a highly accomplished vocalist as well as a skilled teacher of Indian music, whose work and artistry has received much appreciation from both the Indian and non-Indian communities." She gives lecture demonstrations at colleges and universities, and performs worldwide.
Widely acclaimed for her extraordinary vocal skill, Mala Ganguly is especially appreciated for her sweet timbre, flexibility, spontaneous complex vocal improvisations, and technical virtuosity. She works regularly with composers in jingles, voice-overs, film overlays, and fusion music. She composes, performs and tours with several professional Indian dance companies, both North and South. She is one of the most versatile of Indian vocalists, and her vast repertoire includes Light North Indian Classical Ghazals, Thumries, Bhajans, Geets, and Qwwalis (devotional songs of India). She sings in Bengali, Urdoo, Punjabi, Hindi, Oriya, & English. She is the founder, music director, composer-in-residence, and virtuoso vocalist of the Ragamala Music Ensemble, which presented the world premier of her new raga, Malaranjani.
Contributing to the performing arts on stage, for radio, and television, Mala Ganguly has sung as a playback singer in Indian (Bengali) films under the direction of the late Hemant Kumar. She has sung on All India Radio, KPFK - Los Angeles, and for film voice-overs. She sang for the movie, "The Man from Elysian Field" starring Andy Garcia and also for the movie trailer for the European release of "The Perfect Murder", with Michael Douglas. She sang for Kenny Logan for the Walt Disney's European version of the feature film, "Jungle Book", and has lent her inspirational voice for the angel dream sequences in the film, "Christmas Box", starring Maureen O'Hara and Richard Thomas. Her captivating voice has been heard throughout America in television commercials for Ameritrade, Kenwood, and the 1995 award-winning Nike commercial. She participated in Will Smith's 1998 MTV Music Award Winning Best Rap Video, "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It", as a dance performer. As a SAG actress, Mala Ganguly's talents were utilized in EBAY's 2005 national commerical. Recordings are available on compact discs.
In 2007 Mala Ganguly was honored to be included in the Ali Akbar College of Music, founded by legendary sarodist, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, "The First Forty Years 1967-2007" Commemorative Historical Publication.
Mala Ganguly has received many awards, and is a member of several distinguished professional associations. As a Visual Artist, Mala Ganguly holds a B.A. in Art and although her commissioned paintings are the property of private collectors, many of her original paintings, composites, and art work are exhibited regularly.

LIVE PERFORMANCES & VENUES

Mala Ganguly is an international concert artist & performs regularly throughout North America and abroad. She was honored to perform and/or participate in the following:2008: "Music at the Los Angeles Zoo", World Music Night - Featured Artist2008: The Surmala Music Foundation, First Annual Fundraising Event, "Devotional Songs of India" - Featured Artist & Student Workshop Director2004-2006: The Music Circle - Featured Artist2004: KPFK's Global Village Radio Program - Guest Artist80th Birthday Celebration of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan in San Rafael"Sounds of L.A." at the J. Paul Getty Museum"Grand Performances" at the California Plaza - Ragmala Music Ensemble Director & SoloistWorld Music performances in New York CityThe Los Angeles India FestivalThe House of Blues - Guest Artist125th birthday celebration of the late Ustad Alauddin Khan

RADIO, TV, & FEATURE FILMS

Mala Ganguly has sung for American and Bengali films, TV & Radio Commercials, on All India Radio; Jingles; & East/West Fusion Music. Professional uses of her voice have included award-winning commercials and films. A partial list includes:2004: KPFK's Global Village Radio Program - Guest Artist1995: Award-winning Nike Commercial"Dream Sequences" of the "Christmas Box", a feature film starring Richard Thomas, Maureen O'Hara, & Annette O'Toole"The Man from Elysian Fields", a feature film starring Andy Garcia & Mick Jagger

SCREEN ACTORS GUILD

2005 Ebay Commercial, as an Actress1998 Will Smith's MTV Music Award Winning Best Rap Video, "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It", as a Solo Indian Dance Performer

RECORDINGS & CDS

Recordings and CD's produced by Mala Ganguly include:"Guildasta""Musings" - Devotional Songs of India, Sung in Hindi"Songs to My Divine Mother" - Bengali Songs to Ma Kali"Reminiscence""IN MEMORIAM: Oriya Devotional Songs"Mala Ganguly was made an honorary member of the Lord Jagannath Society of the Americas for her "IN MEMORIAM" CD, which was dedicated to the memory of the Oriya cyclone victims.

COLLABORATIONS

Announcing New Releases: "Bhajan Beats" by Mala Ganguly and "Prana - Healing Tones for Life" by Mala Ganguly and David Vito Gregoli


"Hara Shiva Shankara" from "Mala Ganguly - Bhajan Beats" CD, produced by David Vito Gregoli for Dharmapala Records, can be heard in the MySpace player. Please go to www.myspace.com/davidvgregoli for more information about the Producer and label, as or www.DharmapalaRecords.com to hear samples for both CDs .
In addition to the above recordings, you can hear Mala Ganguly's voice on:
"For Absent Friends", "Clueless", "Nicer Shades" from "NEW WORLD JAZZ ORDER", by Dharma Buds. Go to www.myspace.com/dharmabuds to listen to all of the selections from this CD and to obtain more information about it.
"Gopal" from "BEGGARS & SAINTS", "Govinda" from "MONKEY" by Jai Uttal
"Diving Pastime" and "Yoga of Sound" (Based on Raag Durga) from "SHRI DURGA", by DJ Cheb I Sabbah

MULTI-TALENTED ARTIST & PAINTERTHE GALLERY

Original Art & Paintings by Mala Ganguly

For larger view, click on Picture. When finished viewing, click "Back to Profile".Mala Ganguly holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art from California State University. Her inspired art work often reflects a unique style, influenced by her East Indian heritage.

EXHIBITIONS & ART FESTIVALS

The 2007 International Festival of Harmony - Laguna Beach Arts Festival:Guest Performer-Solo Vocalist: Light Classical North Indian Ragas
Exhibition Artist: Original Paintings, Composites, & Art Work, including "Hawaiian Sunset", "Agape", "Lord Jagannath", "Saint Meera", "Ma Durga", and other recently-created (signed) original works.2004: Monrovia Arts Festival, Exhibiting Artist1990-2003: Various Exhibitions in Los Angeles and San Francisco

CD COVERS

Several of Mala Ganguly's paintings may be viewed on her CD covers. These include:
"Indian Dancer" - an original miniature painting used for "Mala Ganguly - Bhajan Beats" CD cover, produced by David Vito Gregoli for Dharmapala Records, which can be viewed on this site.
"Saint Meera" - an original miniature painting featured on her "MUSINGS" CD cover, and can be viewed on this site.
"Lord Jagannath" a composite painting
"Ma Kali" - an original composite painting featured on "Songs to My Divine Mother" CD cover featured on this site.

AWARDS, HONORS, & SPECIAL RECOGNITION

2007 - Ali Akbar College of Music "The First Forty Years 1967-2007" Commemorative History Publication: Guest Performer - Vocalist
2007 - Recipient of the International Festival of Harmony Award : "In Appreciation for Her Outstanding Contribution to South Asian Art & Culture"
1999 - Honorary Membership in Jagannaath Society of the Americas: for Mala Ganguly's Oriya CD, "IN MEMORIAM", which was produced to benefit the 1998 Oriya cyclone victims
1997 - Bengali Association of Southern California: Twenty Year Service Award
1995 - Award-winning Nike Commercial: Background Vocals
1986 - Gujarati Association of Los Angeles:Honorary Lifetime Membership
FOUNDATION PRESIDENT, EDUCATOR & MUSIC DIRECTORSurmala Music Foundation
, "Furthering the Fine Arts of North India" - Founder, President, & Educator
Ragmala Music Ensemble - Founder, Composer in Residence, & Soloist

THE SURMALA MUSIC FOUNDATION

"DEVOTIONAL MUSIC OF INDIA", The Surmala Music Foundation First Annual Fundraising Event, Presented by Mala Ganguly on May 31, 2008

Mala Ganguly held her first funraising event for the Surmala Music Foundation on May 31, 2008 at the Radha Krishna Temple in Norwalk, California. The program began with Malaji's performances of several beautifully rendered inspirational bhajans.
After Aarti, friend, David Joyce of Dharma Buds read a congratulatory letter from Harihar Rao, Director of the Music Circle (who contributed a generous donation to the Surmala Music Foundation), and a tribute to Malaji's Surmala Music Foundation, written by one of her students.
Long time friend and colleague, Anjani Ambegaokar (acclaimed Kathak Dancer/Choreogpraher and member of the Radha Krishna Temple) spontaneously performed an Invocation to Lord Ganesh, to Malaji's Bhajan.
Malaji presented her students in a Student Workshop, prior to a performance by The Kedia Brothers, the Sarod & Sitar Duet from India, who were guest artists. The evening concluded with group chanting. Jyotiprakash provided tabla accompaniment for everyone.
David Joyce and David Vito Gregoli of Dharmapala Records provided audio support, and also made available for the first time the CD: "Mala Ganguly - Bhajan Beats".
Dinner followed and was lovingly provided by some of Malaji's students. It was a wonderful evening, and special thanks to all who contributed and helped to make it such a success.

ABOUT THE SURMALA MUSIC FOUNDATION

In 2007 Mala Ganguly became the Founder and President of the Surmala Music Foundation, the realization of more than 25 years of service to Art, Music, and Artists in the Performing & Visual Arts, in both the East Indian & American communities.The Surmala Music Foundation was created to further the music, art, and culture of North India in America through private music and art instruction, cultural activities, concerts, video and audio recordings, and performances at religious festivals. The Surmala Music Foundation has embarked upon a major endowment fundraising campaign. All contributions to the Surmala Music Foundation are much appreciated and will insure that its high standards and financial security continue for the education, presentation, and appreciation of Art & Music of North India for future generations in America.Since the Surmala Music Foundation is in its infancy, there are many opportunities to serve, and volunteers are much appreciated. Please contact Mala Ganguly directly should you wish to provide financial and/or organizational support, sponsor a fund raising event, provide facilities for a live music concert, commission an original painting, composite, or collage, or offer any other type of support for this noble endeavor. All financial donations are gratefully received, should be made payable directly to the Surmala Music Foundation, and are tax deductible.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS

Screen Actors Guild - Vocalist & ActressSociety of SingersRecording Academy of AmericaProfessional Singers Access

INTERNET SITES

You may join Mala Ganguly's YAHOO Group at:http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/malagangulyhttp://ww w.myspace.com/malaganguly

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 14/04/2007
Band Website: [email protected] " [email protected]
Band Members: Mala Ganguly is Founder and Music Director of the Ragmala Music Ensemble. Members vary according to availability and musical needs.
Influences: Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Pundit A. T. Kanan, Professor Amiya Ranjan Banerjee of the Bishnupur Gharana, Himaghna Roy Chaudhury, Sudhin Das Gupta, Satinath Mukherjee, and Hemant Kumar.
Sounds Like: Mala Ganguly's voice is unique, exquisitely beautiful, and her improvisatory renderings are virtuosic. She is grateful for the opportunity to have been influenced by the legendary Masters of Indian Music listed above, and the great vocalists of both India and the West, from various genres.
Record Label: Amar Records
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

New CD features Mala Ganguly-"Prana: Healing Tones for Life"-Gets nice review by KPFA

New CD "Prana: Healing Tones for Life" Featuring Mala GangulyReviewed by Joanna Manqueros of KPFA's Music of the WorldPacifica Radio, Berkeley, CaliforniaMala Ganguly & David Vito Gregoli's release "P...
Posted by on Sat, 25 Apr 2009 10:05:00 GMT

New CD: "Mala Ganguly - Bhajan Beats" receives beautiful review by Music of the World

New CD: "Mala Ganguly - Bhajan Beats"Reviewed by Joanna Manqueros of KPFA's Music of the WorldPacifica Radio, Berkeley, CaliforniaMala Ganguly & David Vito Gregoli's 2008 release "Bhajan Beats" on Dha...
Posted by on Sat, 25 Apr 2009 09:58:00 GMT