Songs of resilience | Gingger Shankar | TEDxDanubia

“Women are resilient, they’ll be remembered through their songs”- used to say Gingger's mother. Growing up with the legacy of one of the world’s most acclaimed Indian musical families, Gingger Shankar had an identity even before she was born. She sadly lost her mother at a very young age and since then, something has been missing. She now relates the hidden story of women in her family - of talent, resilience and the quiet struggle for recognition.
Gingger is the only female in the world to play the 10-string double violin of which currently only two exist, covering the entire range of an orchestra’s double bass, cello, viola and violin. Coupled with her 5-octave vocal range, the sound is unparalleled and unforgettable. She debuted with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as a soprano and also performed at Carnegie Hall.

Co-composer of Mel Gibson’s blockbuster ‘Passion of the Christ,’ Gingger’s music can be heard in Mike Nichols’ ‘Charlie Wilson’s War,’ too. Her project 'Himalaya Song' was named one of the '10 Best Music Films at Sundance 2012' by Rolling Stone. She recently debuted her multi-media project ‘Nari’ at Sundance and Toronto International Film Festivals. Her upcoming electro-pop record 'Beautiful Imperfections' features co-writes by Linda Perry. Besides working on the film ‘Heartbeats,’ she is also composing music for the new CNN documentary ‘We Will Rise: Michelle Obama's Mission to Educate Girls Around the World.’
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@juttavanmal7687]

My Dear blessed Gingger! I am wih you as I aso have had two grandmothers with wonderfull voices! And it took me 45 years to unveil my own voice as a woman. Two worlds wars have dusted my female families voices . My mother only was singing at home. SPEECHLESSNESS was covering my own possible capaility to nveil my 4 octave voice world wide... in private performance but also alone on international important places like in Moskow airport when I met Sachi the 16 years old boy from Delhi , who was the only represenative of India 9 years ago on the Geneva Youth hman rights conference. He had shoosen me to speak three hours at Moscow Airport on his experience. And ot of the blue I dared to sing for him three songs in Moow Airport with catch ful a capella the resonance of the huge building and rocking the stones in my way. Thank you for this wonderful story my Dear!

[@niyamlam7804]

Awesome gingger. You are a true talent. Just one thing dear, don't carry so much baggage of the past. Your mother and grandmother would have wanted you to have a life free of all these. God bless

[@sureesharma]

Niru, this is a great tribute to your mother, one of the finest person I have met in my life, though in a very brief span of time.

[@TaraRajendran]

This is a gorgeous tribute to Viji Shankar!! God bless, Gingger! Keep making her proud.

[@arckay2010]

priceless tribute to the great Viji shankar. Thank you

[@jared0801]

Such a beautiful story and performance. Thank you for sharing.

[@SXHQQSSS]

WOW!!! I have no other words really!! Just awed!!! But I wonder why you didn't mention you Dad's name!! He is my favourite. I think the best I have heard thus far. God Bless!!

[@slatsnathan2792]

She made bitter her father remarried.

[@JG-qy6fe]

Brilliant performer, wonderfully spoken about creativity!

[@songsabai3794]

It is strange that she never mentions her father "the violin player" and he,L Subramaniam, never mentions her. Her brother,Ambi, is an outstanding violinist,its a shame that the family can't be together musically or otherwise.....Likewise,L.Subramaniam and L.Shankar are brothers but have never performed together in a professional context nor ever mention on another......very strange.

[@sreekap7671]

Even L Subramanian doesn't mention her it is sad that I got to know that she was the daughter of L Subramanian through Wikipedia..

[@skan5996]

Song Sabai it is sad , hope she realizes her talent came from her dad and mom and she reason she is here today and what she is today is also partly because of her dad’s musical genes

[@TaraRajendran]

@@sreekap7671 Me too!

[@BarrySmithviolin]

Gingger did at least 2 albums with L. Shankar. Sometimes he goes by Shenkar.

[@oneshotfly]

02 JUN 2021 Dear Gingger SHANKAR, A great introduction to a great violinist ... we witness you strumming only the top 5 (five) strings .. of the double guitar held in the chin ... more visibility please .. in using all the 10 (ten) strings ..

[@EvaBOfficial]

awesomeeeee. watched this 10 times

[@mohammedmurtaza3257]

Inspirational story....

[@pete194]

Wow!!!

[@AnneHeaton]

Beautiful

[@thalaivarda]

The troubled Laxminarayana family. Mediocre carnatic music, great technique though, appealing to the general audience. She doesn't even want to name her father. Probably we will never hear L Subs side of the story. Sad over all.