Priya was seen as a little and the youngest participant in the Zee Telugu Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs for the first time in the year 2008 and from there she continued to amaze everyone with her astonishing renditions. 17-year-old Priya finished her class 12 recently with 97% from Sri Chaitanya Techno School in Asilmetta, Vizag. “To my surprise, that little child could catch the notes so perfectly and melodiously! It was then that we decided to train her in Carnatic classical vocal,” says her father.

He instantly took out the veena and gave Shanmukha Priya the notes and rhythm. When she was three years old her father, Srinivas Kumar noticed her humming to the tune the alarm clock played. She learnt music from her mother Ratnamala, who is a music teacher herself while her father plays Veena and Violin. Musical Family's Singing Icon:īorn in Vishakapatnam in a Hindu family, Shanmukha Priya completed her schooling from Sri Chaitanya Techno School. From Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh to the biggest singing stage, the Indian Idol, the journey of Shanmukha Priya is something that was filled with joy, laughter, moments of pride and dejection, and what not! It was a journey filled with everything making it a full meal. When in her first music reality show, the singing legend Vani Jairam challenged her to provide 'swaras' to the 'raaga' she rendered the little girl not only accepted the challenge but also astonished the big heads lined up in the front row that remained wide-mouthed. Her tender vocal chords vibrated to produce the magic that filled the hearts of the listeners.

She could not even utter the words of the language clearly but her voice mesmerized everyone around her and whoever heard her singing, closed their eyes and dived into an enchanting world. When she was four years old, she stepped into the world of music.

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