Dr Shankar Prasad

Dr Shankar Prasad is an epitome of a composite personality. His personality is a harmonious blend, a symphony of an artist, dramatist, lyricist, composer, musician, singer, a play write, an administrator and a professor of repute, immensely respected and adored.

His beginning is very humble, born in a middle class family. His early days were spent in Dumraon, small hamlet in Bihar. His story begins at the grass roots and shoots upto dizzying heights due to his tenacity, like in the confrontation between the stream and the rocks, the stream wins not through strength but through tenacity.

He lost his father early and there was no one to support him.

He was a young child, who had passion, values, skills, determination and persistance. His dedication, his ideas, his feelings in his heart and the image in his eyes to carve a niche for himself made him grow.

Wisdom, integrity, patience, honesty, humility, perseverance and love are the values that he has nurtured through out his life.

Academics

• A Bachelors degree with honours in Hindi
• Master's degree in Hindi with First Class
• Ph.D. with topic of Thesis 'Female Psycology' of Hindi Novels.
• Diploma in Dramatics
• Film appreciation course
• Finally retired as a professor in the department of Hindi, Patna Univeristy.

Position & Posts held

• The government of Bihar made Dr. Shankar Prasad the Chairman of Bihar Sangeet Natak Academy for his valuable contributions in the field of music, dance, drama, art & literature. He remained as Chairman from 1992 to 2001. There is no paraliel of anybody occupying such an office for such a long time. He had good company of renowned people like Girish Karnaad, Bhupen Hazarika & Birju Maharaj.
• He was the Professor of Hindi Department in Patna University.
• Vice Chairman, Hindi. Sahitya Sammelan, Patna, Bihar
• Chairman, Bihar Lok Jeevan, Patna
• Editor of National Magazine 'Aaroh Avroh'

Honours / Awards / feiicitations

• On the occasion of Bihar Kala Diwas, the Govt. of Bihar is honouring Dr. Shankar Prasad, on 18^th October, 2016 with a Life Time Achievement award for his valuable contributions in the field of art & culture, journalism & music. The citation carries an award of Rs. 1 lakh.
• Prachin Kala Kendra of Chandigarh honoured Dr. Shankar Prasad with Life Time Achievement Award.
• In 2008-09 Bihar Rashtra Bhasha Parishad, conferred the honour for his invaluable service to Literature.
• >   In the year 1990 the Bhojpuri Kala Sangam, Delhi conferred the title of Bihar Gaurav. ?     In the year 1991, Purush Ratna Award was bestowed upon him by the Chamber of Commerce.
• Kalidasa RangaSaya conferred the Anil Mukherjee Shikar Samman and Rameshwar Singh Kashyap Samman for his invaluable contribution in the field of drama.
• In the 15^th Champaran Mohotsav the prestigious 'Jaya Mangal Srivastava Samrnan' was given to him.
• Bihar Vibhuti Samman was given in Champaran Mahotsav.
• In Kaumudhi Mahotsav, Sanskritik Saurav Samman and Kalashri Samman was given to him.
• In 1964, his folk song "Hai Pyaasi Nadiya" won him the first prize at the All India Youth Festival at Delhi.

Contributions in the field of Art & Culture

Dr. Shankar Prasad has four outstanding presentations in the field of Song, Dance & Drama which have been highly appreciated and acclaimed.

• Meera
• Kamayani    
• Sri Krishna
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
• Many plays like Surya Ki Antim Kiran Say Suray Ki Pahli Kiran Tak, Mukhantak, Barf Ki Minar Sapney were successfully directed by Dr. Shankar Prasad
• Dr. Shankar Prasad is famous and most popular for his rendition of melodious gasals throughout India.
• Since 1966 till date three generations of participants and organisers view Dr. Shankar Prasad as their role model. They long to have a melodious voice like Dr. Shankar Prasad
• Dr. Shankar Prasad was programme executive of Aakashwani Music Department.
• He was Director of University and Yuva Waani Programme.
• He acted as Team Manager of artist of cities like Goa, Madras, Orrisa, Mumbai  & Delhi.
• Honourable member of Purvanchal Sanskritik Kendra
• Honourable member of Uttar Madhya Kshetra
• Honourable member of Sanskritik Kendra Artists & Writers Welfare Association.
• Honourable member of Social & Culture organisations like Madhyam, Abhigyaan Parishad, Ravi Bharti, Safdar Hashmi Institute, Chamber of Commerce and Bihar Lok Jivan
• In 1973, he was a member of the cultural tour to Mauritius organised by Govt. of India.
• In 1987 Dr. Shankar Prasad was crowned (Cultural Sutradhaar) in the Festival De La Mare, Mauritius.
• In 1989 Dr. Shankar Prasad led a cultural delegation to the Soviet Union extensively touring Moscow, Leningrad, Taskent, Bukhara, Kiev, Armenia & Sochi organised by Indo Soviet Friendship Association.
• Made the 'Chief Sutradhaar' of the eastern region India festival held for the first time in the country.
• Made 'Magic Sutradhaar' in the second Apna Utsav held in Bombay.
• Dr. Shankar Prasad was bestowed with all India appreciation and commendation for Meera, Kamayani, Sri Krishna & Chaitanya Mahaprabhu - Song, Dance & Drama
• He received accolades & honour for directing Sainya Bhay Kotwal
• His efforts made Indradhanush Nivedan hai programme very popular.
• He has to his credit successful telecast of several programmes like singing, drama, ballet on Aakashwani & Doordarshan.
• Rendition of songs on Central sponsored programmes.
• Dr. Shankar Prasad was the Music Director of Naihar Ki Chunari and Sajana   Ke Angana
• Dr. Shankar Prasad was closely associated with Anuradha Poudhwal, Mahendra Kapoor, Sabbir Kumar, Dilraz Kaur & Deep Maala. These noted singers of name and fame have sung songs under his music direction.
• For the past 20 years Dr. Shankar Prasad is well known throughout India as a Media & Film critic and commentator.

Research and Publication Works

• Dr. Shankar Prasad has innumerable research and publications to his name. To name a few-
• Authentic Research Work on Samajik Upanyas mein naari patra ka manovaigyanik adhyayan
• Candid Critical Commentary on Mukti Bodh Ka Kavya Aur Astitvawaad
• Compilation of stories - Nilay Aakash Ka Sangam
• Reminiscence of Tumsay Dur Chalis din
• Dr. Shankar Prasad gave heart rendering Lyrics for the Ballet - Andhere Sey Prakash Ki Ore

Contribution in the field of Journalism

• Regular and over the years contribution of Chaar sthumb on art & culture in the prestigious Hindi daily, Hindustan. This is a tribute to Dr. Shankar Prasad by the daily.
• Regular and over the years contribution of articles in prestigious daily like Navbharat Times (Dekha Suna), Ranchi Express (Aakash Ki Vani and Door Ka Darshan)
• First book on Mukti Bodh was published & released throughout India (Astitvawaadi Darshan).

Some quotable quotes

Dr. Shankar Prasad is regarded and acclaimed by everyone for his all pervading personality. They have something to say about him. Let's hear from them:

“Dr. Shankar Prasad touches the soul of my humble gazals”  - Bashir Badr (16.04.90)

Dear Shankarji,

“Voice like a dream, personality which is at once pleasing & endearing, steped in Indian tradition & thought. A total personality which I will always remember. Wish you all the best” - Geeta Chandran (06.11.98)

“Only a man with lot of colours in him can feel the colours of life. I think you are one such man” - Ram Gopal Verma

Dr. Shankar Prasad in the film world is popularly known as Shankar Sagar. This name was given to him by film producer and director Akbar Alam because Dr. Shankar Prasad had played the role not only of a music director but also written the story, dialogue and songs for the film Sajana Ke Angana.