Leela Omchery, classical music pioneer dies aged 94

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Renowned musician and researcher Leela Omchery passed away on Wednesday. She was 94. Omchery was a pioneer in the domain of music and was touted as one of the best the country has ever produced. She also served as a faculty in Delhi University. The country honoured her with Padma Shri in 2009. She was married to renowned playwright Omchery N. N. Pillai.

In her illustrious career spanning decades, Leela Omchery won the prestigious fellowship in the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi(1990) and the UGC National Associate Award for her contribution to music.

She was born on May 31, 1929, as the daughter of Kamukara Parameswara Kurup and Lakshmikutty in Thiruvattar, Kanyakumari district. Her brother is the famous Indian singer late Kamukara Purushothaman. Apart from Carnatic music, she had a profound mastery of Hindustani, Sopanam Sangeetham, folk songs and dance. She was a resident of Delhi and during her twilight years, wrote many short stories collection.