The Musician
Early Life
She is considered as a child prodigy, since, even as a four-year-old she could recognise notation in the songs she would hear. It was very unusual, since she did not have any musical background or lineage. Lalita Sharma was born in Kolkata. She started her training in the intricacies of Carnatic Music at the tender age of eight, under the able guidance of her Guru Padma Narasimhan of Kolkata for a few years. Recognising her talent, her Guru urged her to specialise in Carnatic music and encouraged her to join the Govt music college in Chennai.
She joined the Government Music College, Madras, and passed the Sangeeta Vidwan title course with a distinction, followed by a Diploma in Music Teaching from the same. Thereafter she strengthened her knowledge by completing her graduation in Music, from University of Madras. Her formal training continued rigorously under Prof. V.R.Krishnan the noted disciple of Sri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer.
Career
While she was performing Carnatic music she developed an interest in the intricacies of Hindustani music. She was extremely fortunate to meet Padma vibhushan Pandit Jasraj who heard her and accepted her as his disciple. Lalita considers her life blessed, and meeting her Guru made her realise her profession. She was fortunate enough to travel with her Guru and derive the benefit of constant taalim both on and off stage.
During her years of training, she grasped the characteristic nuances associated with her Guru and his gharana, as well as the distinctions between the Carnatic and Hindustani systems of music.