Archana Udupa is an eminent singer of Hindi and Kannada languages. She was born to a family where music has been idolized. From the tender age of three years, she began her musical training in Carnatic music under Sri. Balakrishna and light music under her father Sri Srinivasa Udupa. But afterwards she has shifted her focus of attraction towards Hindustani style of singing. Under the expert guidance of Smt. Dr. Shakuntala Narasimhan, Archana Udupa has learnt the Hindustani Classical Music.
Early Life of Archana Udupa
Archana Udupa belongs to Shivalli Brahmin community of Sagara. Apart from being a dedicated student of music, Archana Udupa has also obtained a degree in journalism. But she has chosen music as her profession and fully concentrated herself to the singing of light music and film music.
Career of Archana Udupa
In the year 1997-1998, Archana Udupa won first place in the national level competition conducted by the All India Radio under the category of light music. Acknowledging her talent All India Radio and Doordarshan absorbed her as a graded artist. In the year 1999, Archana Udupa has won the nationwide talent hunt programme TVS Sa Re Ga Ma (Zee TV) and became the first South Indian to win the nationwide talent hunt programme. Under the direction of well known music director and singer trio Shankar Ehsaan Loy - she has recorded her voice for music album named Sapney- Zee Music.
Archana Udupa has also executed various programmes with the legendry singer Manna Dey. She has ornamented the stage with celebrated singers such as Hariharan, Shankar Mahadevan, Vani Jayaram, Usha Uthup etc. She was also a part of the Spirit of Unity Concert for National integration held at Rajamundry, Andra Pradesh. She has also sung in the music album where noted people like Mehadi Hasan, Gulam Ali, Madhu Rani, Roona Laila, Sonu Nigam, etc. has also lent their voice. In concerts and in TV shows she performs on a regular basis with the biggest name in South Indian film music Mr. S.P Balasubramanyam. She has also given her voice in play back singing for Natyarani Shanthalaa musical mega serial directed by the Bhishma of Indian films Late Sri G.V. Iyer (both in Hindi and Kannada). Under the direction of Sriyuths, Rajan Nagendra, the late Vijaya Bhaskar, the Late Upendra Kumar, Hamsalekha, C.Ashwath and Vaidyanathan, Vijay Anand, L.N. Shastry, V.Manohar etc. Archana Udupa has sung songs. To her credit she has also released many musical albums. She has given her voice in more than 1000 cassettes and CDs that were produced in various languages. In the recent past Archana Udupa has also sung in many Kannada films. All over the country and abroad Archana Udupa has also given live performances.
Achievements for Archana Udupa
Archana Udupa has also bagged the honour of singing the Millennium song for Close-Up Anthakshari under the direction of legendry music director Sri. Anil Biswas. She has also lent her voice for a Punjabi Cinema and recorded playback music under the music direction of Sri. Jagjit Singh. At the Millennium Celebration of TVS Sa Re Ga Ma she performed with Jagjit Singh in front of the Taj Mahal. She has also bagged the honour of sharing the stage with celebrated legendary persona like M. Balamuralikrishna, Pandit Ravishankar, Pandit ShivkumarSharma, Kishan Maharaj, Girija Devi, Parvin Sultana, Ustad Zakir Husaain, Pt Ram Narayan, Ustad Vilayath Khan, O.P Nayyar, etc., and gained there appreciation. In the year 2012, she received the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for her song in the movie Bhageerathi. As recognition to her talent she has been conferred many awards like, Navras Award- pioneered jointly by Indian Music Research Academy and Navaras Records, London for the year 1999-2000; Aryabhata Award for the year 1999-2000; G.V.Atri Award for the year 2000-2001; Pride in my Profession Award for the year 2000-2001 instituted by Rotary Club; Sahyadri Award 2001 - 2002- instituted by Sahyadri Sangha.