K. Omanakutty
K. Omanakutty | |
|---|---|
K. Omanakutty | |
| Born | 8 June 1943 |
| Alma mater | Swathi Thirunal College of Music, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Occupations |
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| Relatives | M. G. Radhakrishnan (brother) M. G. Sreekumar (brother) M. R. Rajakrishnan (nephew) K. S. Harisankar (grandson) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
Kamalakshi Omanakutty (born 1943), commonly known as K. Omanakutty or Dr. K. Omanakutty, is an Indian Carnatic vocalist, music educator, academic, and researcher. She is renowned for her contributions to Carnatic music through performances, teaching, and scholarly work, particularly her doctoral research on the origin and evolution of Kathakali music.
Omanakutty serves as a professor and former Head of the Department of Music at the University of Kerala. She is the founder, chairman, and secretary of Sangeeta Bharati, a Thiruvananthapuram-based institution dedicated to music education, research, and the promotion of young talent, including initiatives in music therapy. She has also been associated with the Music Therapy Department at Pankaja Kasthuri Ayurvedic Medical College in Kattakada, Thiruvananthapuram, as a senior faculty member.
A prominent guru in Carnatic music, her notable disciples include vocalists such as K. S. Chithra, B. Arundhathi, K. S. Harisankar, Manjari, and K. S. Resmi.
Born into a family of musicians in Kerala, she is the elder sister of music director M. G. Radhakrishnan and playback singer M. G. Sreekumar. For her lifetime contributions to Carnatic music, education, and research, she has received several honors, including the Padma Shri award in 2025.